SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake returns to MLS action on Sunday, when it faces Chivas USA at 5:00 p.m. MT at StubHub Center. Sunday’s match will be broadcast live on CW30, ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM.
The Claret-and-Cobalt enters this weekend’s contest looking to clinch a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season – the longest active streak in the league. RSL was unable to do so in its last MLS match, a 2-1 defeat at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sept. 27. RSL DF Nat Borchers opened up the scoring in the 57th minute, heading home a corner kick taken by MF Javier Morales. But Vancouver was able to claw its way back in the game, with captain Pedro Morales converting a PK in the 62nd minute and scoring the game-winner in the 78th minute to snatch the win.
The Claret-and-Cobalt will need a win in California in order to guarantee a playoff berth if none of the other results this weekend fall RSL’s way. Real Salt Lake can also clinch a postseason spot if Vancouver loses to FC Dallas or if Portland loses or draws against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. RSL remains third in the Western Conference with a 13-7-10 record and total of 49 points, eight points behind league leaders Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy – clubs that have already qualified for the postseason.
The Claret-and-Cobalt head to California fresh off a 2-0 win over 2014 USL PRO Champions Sacramento Republic FC. The two clubs faced off in a friendly on Tuesday at Rio Tinto Stadium that saw RSL FW Robbie Findley convert a penalty kick in the 57th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Real Salt Lake MF Sebastian Velasquez went on to seal the match for the Claret-and-Cobalt in the 90th minute, blasting a shot into the upper corner for his first goal across all competitions this year.
Sunday’s contest in SoCal will be the second regular season meeting between Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA. The two sides last met on June 28 at StubHub Center, a 1-0 defeat for the Claret-and-Cobalt. The loss also marked the club’s first defeat to Chivas USA on the road since 2009, winning five consecutive road matches prior to the June 28 loss. In that contest, Real Salt Lake was reduced to ten men in the ninth minute, with MF Luke Mulholland seeing straight red after a tackle on Chivas USA MF Martin Rivero. The Goats went on to take the lead in the 35th minute behind a spectacular goal scored by FW Erick Torres.
Real Salt Lake posts a 12-11-4 all-time regular season record against the Red-and-White and a 13-11-5 record across all competitions. The Claret-and-Cobalt has gone 6-8-1 on the road against the Goats in regular season play. The Claret-and-Cobalt has had mixed results on the road this year, posting a 4-6-5 record as the visitors in 2014.
Chivas USA enters Sunday’s match coming off a 4-2 loss at Seattle Sounders FC. Chivas USA has struggled mightily this season, posting a 6-18-6 record and total of 24 points. The Goats are currently riding a seven-game losing streak in MLS action.
Real Salt Lake will return home following Sunday’s contest, playing host to San Jose Earthquakes on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. MT at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on CW30, ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM.
How to Follow Real Salt Lake at Chivas USA
- Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. MT at Chivas USA
- TV: CW30
- English Radio: ESPN700 AM (Pregame begins at 4:00 p.m. MT)
- Spanish Radio: 102.3 La Gran D FM
- Online: The @RealSaltLake Twitter Feed will provide match updates
Game Guide for Sunday’s RSL-CHV Match Now Available Online
Following is the link to the Adobe PDF version of the MLS Game Guide in advance of Sunday’s contest between Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA. If you have any problems obtaining the document, would prefer to receive it as an attachment, or are seeking more information on the match, please contact PR Coordinator Jane Sexton in the RSL Communications Department via email at jsexton@realsaltlake.com.
Click here to download the PDF version of the MLS Game Guide for Sunday’s RSL-CHV matchup
RSL History v. Chivas USA
Sunday’s contest will be the second regular season meeting between Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA. The two sides last met on June 28 at StubHub Center, a 1-0 defeat for the Claret-and-Cobalt. The loss also marked the club’s first loss to Chivas USA on the road since 2009, winning five consecutive road matches prior to the June 28 defeat. In that contest, Real Salt Lake was reduced to ten men in the ninth minute, with MF Luke Mulholland seeing straight red after a tackle on Chivas USA MF Martin Rivero. The Goats went on to take the lead in the 35th minute behind a spectacular goal scored by FW Erick Torres.
Real Salt Lake posts a 12-11-4 all-time regular season record against the Red-and-White and a 13-11-5 record across all competitions. RSL posts a 6-8-1 all-time regular season road record against Chivas USA in California.
