Real Salt Lake at LAFC
August 15, 2018; Banc of California Stadium
8:00 p.m. MT; ESPN2
RSL (10-9-5, 35 points); LAFC (10-7-6, 36 points)
Player to Watch – Twenty-year-old winger Diego Rossi had two goals and three assists the last time RSL faced LAFC back in March. He has seven goals and six assists on the season and has been a key cog in the LAFC’s offensive machine. Adama Diomande has been a revelation as well with nine goals and three assists in 11 matches, but a recent hamstring injury had him out of action on Saturday.
Matchup to Watch – Albert Rusnák vs. LA’s triangle of attacking midfielders. LAFC plays a wide-open style that caters to the offensive weapons all over the field. That also leaves them vulnerable on the defensive side and while there is an abundance of talent in the midfield, none is a true defensive midfielder. That could potentially leave openings for Rusnák to exploit in the attack.
All-Time Record – The two teams have met just once – on March 10 in RSL’s home opener this season. That 5-1 defeat was the last time RSL lost a home match, going unbeaten in the last 12 at Rio Tinto Stadium since.
Last 5 Overall – LAFC looked to be rolling back on July 7. A 4-1 win over Orlando City, had LAFC on a five-game unbeaten run with 10 wins already on the season. However, since then the expansion club has gone winless at 0-3-2 and also got bounced from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. That run includes the club’s first-ever home loss on Saturday against Sporting Kansas City. This is also its fourth match in a five-match stretch between August 5-19.
