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Sandy • Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar is anxious to witness a piece of history.
RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando sits on 180 career victories — tied for most all time in Major League Soccer — and for reasons big and small, Cassar is itching to see No. 181.
"It sure would be nice to get it as soon as possible. That means you're getting three points," Cassar said with a laugh as his team finished an abbreviated training session Friday. "[But] it would be really nice to do it at home, wouldn't it? Then everyone can celebrate — his teammates and the fans here — with him on a special night."
RSL supporters would no doubt relish that moment.
At this point, any old home win would be welcomed.
Salt Lake (9-7-7, 34 points) hasn't won at Rio Tinto Stadium since they beat the New York Red Bulls on June 22. The team has disappointed on its home turf since then, losing an Open Cup match and a friendly, while drawing four straight league games in Sandy.
After starting the week with a two-game East Coast road trip, RSL is now back at Rio Tinto for four of its next five matches, beginning Saturday night against the Chicago Fire.
"We've got to take advantage of it, right?" defender Chris Wingert said. "We weren't able to do that this last home stretch."
After notching a win in Philadelphia and a loss in Toronto already this week, RSL is looking to avoid tired legs and a letdown as they host last-place Chicago (4-10-6, 18 points).
"This is a game where everyone's going to have to dig as deep as we can," Cassar said.
Salt Lake's attack could receive a bit of a boost this weekend. Leading-scorer Yura Movsisyan, who has missed the team's last two games with a hip flexor strain, looked good as he trained with the team Friday.
"I've got to talk to him and see how he did after the shooting, but he might feature in this game at some point," Cassar said.
RSL currently sits in fifth place in the Western Conference as August begins and the season's finish line begins to look a little closer.
"I still think we have a lot of room to improve with our guys," Wingert said. "I still think we haven't really played our best soccer. I keep saying that's a positive, but eventually we're going to have to bring that out. No better time than now, heading into the fall."
Cassar and company hope this home stretch will help RSL find a groove-and start finding the back of the net with more consistency.
"We just want to get back to winning and playing in front of our fans," captain Kyle Beckerman said.
A chance to help Rimando make history would certainly be a nice bonus.
"What record?" Wingert joked Friday. "I feel like he's breaking a record every game. The guy's unbelievable. … Nick, for me, is the greatest ever in the league, so I think he deserves all the records."
RSL sure would like to get him one more Saturday.
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
Real Salt Lake vs. Chicago Fire
At Rio Tinto Stadium
Kickoff • 8 p.m.
TV • KMYU
Radio • 700 AM
Records • RSL 9-7-7, 34 points; Fire 4-10-6, 18 points.
Last meeting • RSL 2, Fire 1 (May 9, 2015, in Chicago)
About RSL • Leading goal scorer Yura Movsisyan trained Friday and could potentially return to the field after missing two straight games with a hip injury. … Despite the transfer window closing this week, RSL officials remain "optimistic" about adding talent to help the teams midfield and back line through free agent pickups. … Paperwork for striker Pedro Baez, acquired via a six-month loan deal last month, is still being processed and the team has yet to announce a timeline for his arrival.
About the Fire • Major League Soccer's last-place team can still provide some danger in the counterattack. … Coming off a 2-2 draw against the Red Bulls on July 31. … Center back Joao Meira, who had made four straight starts for Chicago, left the game against New York with an undisclosed injury; his status is uncertain for Saturday.