Real Salt Lake returns to America First Field this week, with an eye on the Western Conference standings.
Having fallen to sixth place in the West after last week’s loss at San Jose, RSL has a chance to strengthen its playoff position as it hosts FC Dallas on Wednesday and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
RSL is 6-9-6 in conference play.
But picking up six points this week would do wonders in a tight conference race: RSL (40 points) trails second-place LAFC by just three points at the moment.
RSL has a 1-4-1 record in games it scores only one goal.
“Every game is vital now,” said Dallas manager Nico Estévez.
Wednesday’s game is the second meeting between these teams this season. Dallas won the last meeting 2-1.
“I think against a team that attacks well it’s also good to attack them well,” Estévez said. RSL “is a team that is well organized, well prepared and has this attacking-oriented mentality and we have to be the same.”
RSL vs. FC Dallas
At America First Field in Sandy
Kickoff: Wednesday 7:30 p.m.
Watch: Apple TV
Records: Real Salt Lake (11-10-7, sixth in the Western Conference); FC Dallas (9-10-8, 11th in the Western Conference)
Top performers: Jefferson Savarino has six goals and three assists for RSL. Christian Arango has four goals and one assist over the past 10 games.
Jesus Ferreira has 10 goals and one assist for Dallas. Bernard Kamungo has three goals over the last 10 games.