REAL SALT LAKE vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Rio Tinto Stadium | Salt Lake City, Utah
06.17.17 | MLS Week #16 | MLS Game #15
9:00 p.m. CT (My29, MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN)
2017 Records:
MIN: 4-8-2; 0-5-2 on the road
RSL: 4-10-2; 3-3-1 at home
When MNUFC last faced Real Salt Lake back on April 1, it couldn’t have gone any better for the Loons. The team’s 4-2 home victory was their first in MLS and marked the beginning of a stretch that saw them challenge Dallas and draw Houston in Texas, then defeat West-leading Sporting KC in Minnesota. After tough back-to-back losses to that same SKC side in the last few weeks, MNUFC will be looking to once again light up RSL and get their groove back.
Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, June 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium, with pre-match coverage starting on My29 and MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Their 4-0 loss on Wednesday night wasn’t something the club wanted, but it did provide the double-edged sword of getting minutes for players who need more competitive action beyond practice while getting some rest for starters.
“I think the one thing last night showed was that it was very valuable for all of them players to get some minutes,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Certainly in the beginning, the team shape was very good. When the players were fresh, they looked like they could compete. But their lack of minutes, over a long period of time, which is a problem for a lot of clubs, it cost us. The minute we couldn't compete physically, the game went away from us. They'll be better for having the game and obviously for Patrick [McLain], we needed to see him in a competitive game moving forward. Now it's going to be nice to get everybody back and maybe get our strongest eleven on the field again on Saturday.”
Despite the club’s improvement since the beginning of the season with a win over Orlando City SC and a narrow 3-2 loss to Toronto FC at BMO Field to go along with the home win over SKC, a road victory has so far eluded MNUFC. With its next three away matches coming against rugged opponents including New York City FC, the Chicago Fire and the Seattle Sounders, this weekend’s tilt might be the side’s best shot at getting their first win away from TCF Bank Stadium for a while. But road wins are hard to come by all over the league.
“I’ve never been there, but I heard it’s a great crowd, and they have a really nice stadium,” said defender Brent Kallman. “I’m sure they’re a lot different at home than when on the road. Kind of like Kansas City was when we played them first, then went there. Any time you go on the road in this league it’s always a challenge, so we just have to prepare for them.”
MNUFC will also be glad to get back several players who have been away on international duty. Midfielder Johan Venegas and captain and defender Francisco Calvo played a pair of World Cup qualifiers for Costa Rica, with Calvo scoring a header just 45 seconds into the second match against Trinidad and Tobago. Midfielder Kevin Molino was in the side for Trinidad and Tobago in that match, notching a goal for himself.
“It was nice to see them both playing in the same game,” said Heath. “I don't know if the club's ever had two goals scored in international play on the same field at the same time. Most importantly, they've come through unscathed and obviously they managed to get here last night so hopefully they'll be rested and recuperated and ready for the weekend.”
Heath took the opportunity of the Open Cup match to get some burn for players like midfielders Bashkim Kadrii and Collin Martin and defenders Justin Davis and Kevin Venegas who are usually out of the Starting XI. As a result, customary starters like Sam Cronin, Christian Ramirez, Bobby Shuttleworth and Miguel Ibarra will come into this match well-rested and ready to go.
“It’s a long season, it’s a grind for sure,” said Kallman. “You can take a few days off and maybe get your legs back a little bit. That’s important. And then also, mentally, maybe you can clear your mind a little bit.”
MNUFC can also look forward to coming back to Minnesota after two away matches in one week when they return to face the Portland Timbers on Wednesday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. Pre-match coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. on My29 and MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN. For tickets, call 763.4SOCCER or visit MNUFC.COM.
INJURY REPORT
Minnesota United
OUT: M - Bernardo Anor (left lower leg injury)
OUT: M/D - Thomas de Villardi (left Achilles injury)
OUT: D - Joseph Greenspan (concussion)
Real Salt Lake
OUT: F - Chad Barrett (knee surgery, 4–6 months)
OUT: D - David Horst (knee surgery, 6–8 weeks)
QUESTIONABLE: D - Demar Phillips (hamstring injury)
DISCIPLINARY REPORT
-none-
FIRST TOUCHES
- Luke Mulholland and Matt Van Oekel both played for Minnesota United in the NASL era of the club’s history. Van Oekel began his career in Minnesota with the Thunder in 2009, and played in-state till 2014. Mulholland joined the club late in 2011, helping it to the 2011 NASL Championship.
- Chad Barrett and Bobby Shuttleworth were teammates in 2013 on the New England Revolution.
- Barrett, Tony Beltran and Abu Danladi played for UCLA in college.
- Chris Schuler and Brent Kallman played for Creighton University and were teammates in 2009.
- Both Christian Ramirez (2G) and Kevin Molino (1G/2A) had multiple points last time out against Real Salt Lake.
- Real Salt Lake has never defeated a team from Minnesota. Since 2005, Minnesota teams are 3-0-0 against RSL with 13 goals for and seven conceded.
- Albert Rusnak has taken the second most corner kicks in MLS with 77.
- RSL has had plenty of chances from set pieces. It is the only team with over 100 corner kicks so far this year.
- This is Minnesota’s fourth match against a Rocky Mountain Cup team (Colorado Rapids and RSL). The Loons are 2-0-1 against both clubs.
