SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake will head to the Pacific Northwest on Friday, taking on first-place Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field at 8:30 p.m. MT. Friday’s match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network, ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM.
Friday’s match will be imperative for Real Salt Lake’s chances in the Supporters’ Shield race with only seven games remaining in the MLS regular season. The Claret-and-Cobalt currently sits third in the Western Conference and fourth in the league with a 12-5-10 record and total of 46 points. Seattle sits atop the table with 51 points and a 16-7-3 record, with LA Galaxy close behind with 50 points and D.C. United a point above RSL with 47.
Real Salt Lake enters Friday’s match coming off a 2-1 win over FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium last Saturday. Claret-and-Cobalt FW Robbie Findley gave the home side the lead in the 31st minute for his first goal of the year. Dallas went on to equalize in the second half off a fantastic free kick taken by FCD MF Michel in the 62nd minute. RSL was not to be outdone though as FW Alvaro Saborio headed home the game-winner in the 77th minute just 14 seconds after entering the match. The appearance marked his first since fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot at the end of May while with the Costa Rican National Team. The night also marked the MLS debut of newly signed FW Sebastian Jaime, who subbed on the 67th minute. The Argentine was acquired from Chilean Primera División club Unión Española at the start of August.
Friday’s matchup will be the third and final regular season meeting between RSL and Seattle. The two clubs have split the series 1-1-0, with each side claiming a win at home. The Sounders downed RSL 4-0 in their first meeting on May 31 at CenturyLink Field to end the Claret-and-Cobalt’s 12-game unbeaten start to the season. Real Salt Lake was able to enact revenge in the second encounter, topping the Cascadia club 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Aug. 16 behind goals from FW Joao Plata and MF Luke Mulholland.
For the first time this year, Real Salt Lake will have a full arsenal of healthy forwards available for Friday’s match. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s attack has become even more dangerous with the return of Saborio – RSL’s all-time leading goal scorer – and the acquisition of Argentine striker Jaime. Real Salt Lake’s 2014 leading goal scorer Joao Plata will be back from international duty with Ecuador and will be available for selection. The slew of healthy forwards couldn’t have come at a better time for RSL as it faces tough Western Conference competition to close out the regular season.
The Claret-and-Cobalt have had mixed results when in Seattle, posting a 2-3-2 regular season record at CenturyLink Field. RSL and Seattle met in the MLS Cup Playoffs in back-to-back years in 2011 and 2012. RSL took the series in 2011, defeating the Sounders 3-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium and going through on aggregate after suffering a 2-0 defeat at CenturyLink Field. In 2012, Seattle managed to bounce the Claret-and-Cobalt from the playoffs with a scoreless draw in Washington and a 1-0 victory in Utah. Real Salt Lake is 7-7-5 against Seattle all-time across all competitions, including MLS Cup Playoff and U.S. Open Cup play. CenturyLink Field is also the site of RSL’s greatest triumph; the Claret-and-Cobalt took home MLS Cup by beating LA Galaxy in a penalty kick shootout at the Seattle facility in 2009.
Seattle enters Friday’s match on a hot streak, winning its last three matches and going unbeaten in its last four. The Sounders most recently downed Chivas USA 4-2 on the road on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The Cascadia club will have a short turnaround after Friday’s match, as it takes on Philadelphia Union at PPL Park in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup final on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Real Salt Lake will return home after Friday’s contest in Washington, playing host to Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Colorado Rapids on Friday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 p.m. MT. The RSL-Colorado contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network and locally on ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM. Tickets to the match 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 Seattle Sounders FC
- Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. MT at Seattle Sounders FC
- TV: NBC Sports Network
- English Radio: ESPN700 AM (Pregame begins at 7:30 p.m. MT)
- Spanish Radio: 102.3 La Gran D FM
- Online: The @RealSaltLake Twitter Feed will provide match updates
Game Guide for Friday’s RSL-SEA Match Now Available Online
Following is the link to the Adobe PDF version of the MLS Game Guide in advance of Friday’s contest between Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC. 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 Friday’s RSL-SEA matchup
RSL History v. Seattle
Real Salt Lake and Seattle have met twice before this year, with each side claiming a win at home. The Sounders downed RSL 4-0 in their first meeting on May 31 at CenturyLink Field to end the Claret-and-Cobalt’s 12-game unbeaten start to the season. Real Salt Lake was able to enact revenge in the second encounter, topping the Cascadia club 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Aug. 16 behind goals from FW Joao Plata and MF Luke Mulholland.
The Claret-and-Cobalt have had mixed results when in Seattle, posting a 2-3-2 regular season record at CenturyLink Field. Real Salt Lake is 7-7-5 against Seattle all-time across all competitions, including MLS Cup Playoff and U.S. Open Cup play.
