SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake (14-10-6, West #2) will look to bounce back from two consecutive losses this Saturday, when it will take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC (11-10-8, West #6) at 5:00 p.m. MT at BC Place.
Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on CW30, ESPN700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM/1600 AM. CW30 will air the 30-minute Ford Postgame Show immediately after the match; ESPN700 will air an hour-long pregame show before the game and will broadcast an hour-long postgame following the contest.
RSL is coming off back-to-back losses to Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 13 and San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 21. The consecutive losses saw the team slip into second place in the Western Conference and third place in the Supporters’ Shield race with 48 points. A win against Vancouver on Saturday would provide RSL with an opportunity to retake the lead in the Western Conference standings should Seattle lose or tie at home against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday.
Saturday’s match will be RSL’s third and final meeting against Vancouver this year. Real Salt Lake is 1-0-1 against the ‘Caps this year, recording a 1-1 draw on April 13 at BC Place and a 2-0 win on May 4 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The first meeting between the sides featured a 65th minute goal from FW Olmes Garcia which was ultimately cancelled out by a penalty awarded to Vancouver in the 84th minute. The Claret-and-Cobalt fared better in the second contest, with FW Joao Plata notching two assists on goals from MF Luis Gil and MF Javier Morales.
A victory on Saturday would make RSL the first team in MLS’s post-shootout era to reach the 15-win and 50-point plateaus in four consecutive seasons. D.C. United’s 2005, 2006 and 2007 teams and LA Galaxy’s 2010, 2011 and 2012 squads are the only other teams to have three consecutive 15-win, 50-point seasons.
Vancouver enters this weekend’s match looking to gain ground in the playoff race. The Canadian side currently sits in sixth place with a total of 41 points—four points behind fifth place Colorado Rapids, who occupy the last playoff spot in the conference.
The RSL first-team will return to action next Tuesday, Oct. 1, hosting D.C. United in the 100th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at 7:00 p.m. MT at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Claret-and-Cobalt has a quick turnaround following the Open Cup final, hosting FC Dallas on Saturday, Oct. 5. Tickets to the Open Cup Final at Rio Tinto Stadium are still available and 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 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. MT at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C.
- TV: CW30
- English Radio: ESPN 700 AM (Pregame begins at 4:00 p.m. MT)
- Spanish Radio: La Gran D 102.3 FM & Juan 1600 AM
- Online: The @RealSaltLake Twitter Feed will provide live match updates
Game Guide for Saturday’s RSL-VAN Match Now Available Online
Click here to download the PDF version of the MLS Game Guide for Saturday’s RSL-VAN matchup
RSL History v. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
RSL has a successful history against Vancouver, posting a 4-2-1 record in MLS play against the Canadian side. Real Salt Lake has never won at Vancouver, heading into Saturday’s match with a 0-2-1 record at the ‘Caps.
