SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake continues its road schedule this Sunday, taking on Houston Dynamo at 5:00 p.m. MT at BBVA Compass Stadium. Sunday’s match will be broadcast live on CW30, ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM.
Real Salt Lake remains undefeated heading into Sunday’s match after pulling off a dramatic 3-2 win at Chicago Fire last weekend. The Claret-and-Cobalt were able to stage a last minute comeback after going down 2-0 in the first half at Toyota Park, pulling a goal back through FW Joao Plata in the 72nd minute, equalizing through FW Alvaro Saborio in the 90th and dramatically finding the winner through Plata in the 93rd. The win in Chicago kept RSL’s unbeaten start to the season alive, with the Claret-and-Cobalt now holding a 4-0-5 record through its first nine matches.
Sunday’s match in Houston will be the only regular season meeting between the Dynamo and Real Salt Lake. The Claret-and-Cobalt has not fared well in the Bayou City, recording a 0-8-1 record against the Dynamo in the Lone Star State. RSL has a 4-9-5 all-time regular season record against Houston.
The two sides last met on August 10, 2013 at Rio Tinto Stadium, with RSL topping the Dynamo 1-0. Costa Rican international Alvaro Saborio was able to secure the win by converting a penalty kick in the 37th minute. The win marked RSL’s second victory out of its last 13 matches against the Dynamo; the previous victory a 3-1 win at Rio Tinto Stadium on May 13, 2010.
Plata will look to continue his fine form on Sunday against Houston. The Ecuadorian has five goals and two assists in six games for the Claret-and-Cobalt this year, giving him 1.14 goals per 90 minutes, third in the league amongst players with at least 100 minutes played. Saborio will also look to continue his impressive start to the season. The Costa Rican has five goals and one assist in 2014, and is coming off a great performance against Chicago, where he notched the equalizing goal and recorded the game-winning assist in stoppage time.
Sunday’s match will likely be the last prior to the World Cup for U.S. internationals Captain Kyle Beckerman and GK Nick Rimando and Costa Rican international Saborio. All three players are expected to join their national teams early next week for preparation camps ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. U.S. Men’s National Team Manager Jurgen Klinsmann will announce his 30-man preliminary roster on Monday, with players departing for camp on Wednesday, May 14. Costa Rican Head Coach Jorge Luis Pinto is likely to announce his roster early next week.
Rimando will also be looking to make a bit of history on Sunday, as he attempts to tie retired GK Kevin Hartman for the all-time MLS shutout record with 112 clean-sheets. Among regular goalkeepers, Rimando is third in the league this year with a 78 percent save percentage and 29 saves and tied for fourth in the league with three shutouts.
Houston Dynamo enters Sunday’s match coming off back-to-back wins, defeating Chivas USA 4-1 on May 3 and claiming a 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew this past Wednesday in Houston. The Dynamo currently sit second in the Eastern Conference with a 4-4-2 record and total of 14 points.
Real Salt Lake will return home after Sunday’s match to take on Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado Rapids at 7:30 p.m. MT on Saturday, May 17. Tickets to the RSL-Colorado contest can be purchased at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RealSaltLake.com/Tickets or over the phone at 801-727-2700.
How to Follow Real Salt Lake at Houston Dynamo
- Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. MT at Houston Dynamo
- 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-HOU Match Now Available
Click here to download the PDF version of the MLS Game Guide for Sunday’s RSL-HOU matchup
RSL History v. Houston Dynamo
Sunday’s match in Houston will be the only regular season meeting between the Dynamo and Real Salt Lake. The Claret-and-Cobalt has not fared well in Texas, recording a 0-8-1 record against the Dynamo in the Lone Star State. RSL has fared better against Houston at home, posting a 4-9-5 all-time regular season record.
The two sides last met at Rio Tinto Stadium on August 10, 2013, resulting in a 1-0 win for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Costa Rican international Alvaro Saborio was able to secure the rare win, converting a penalty kick in the 37th minute. The win marked RSL’s second victory out of its last 13 matches against the Dynamo; the previous victory a 3-1 win at Rio Tinto Stadium on May 13, 2010.
