Real Salt Lake at Orlando City SC
March 6, 2016; 12 Noon MT
Citrus Bowl
TV: KMYU (2.2 air / 12 satellite / 643 Comcast HD)
English Radio: ESPN 700 AM (11:00 a.m. MT)
Spanish Radio: 102.3 La Gran D FM / 1600 AM
Stream: MLS Live
Real Salt Lake kicks off the 2016 MLS regular season on Sunday against Orlando City SC in what is sure to be an electric atmosphere at the Florida Citrus Bowl. After already facing Tigres in a two-legged series in CONCACAF Champions League, it’s a battle-tested RSL squad ready to wipe out the feelings of disappointment that linger from the 2015 season that saw the Claret-and-Cobalt miss the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
“I really like where we’re at as a team right now. We’re understanding what we need to do to be successful or at least put ourselves in position to be successful,” Head Coach Jeff Cassar said. “It’s not going to be easy, but what we need to do is concentrate on the things that we did really well in those games against Tigres. I really think we have a strong character this year that these things won’t bother us.”
Over the past six seasons, RSL has gone unbeaten in its MLS regular season opener, going 5-0-1 in that stretch with the first draw coming last season in Portland.
In their lone meeting last year, Orlando got off to an early start through a goal from Kaka, and RSL equalized but couldn’t capitalize on a red card to Kaka the put RSL up a man for the second half of the match, settling for the 1-1 draw.
Both teams have undergone some retooling since that match and should both be stronger, as international absences left both teams without key performers last season.
In addition to the ever-dangerous Kaka, Orlando City also features 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin along with USL holdover Kevin Molino, who missed the entire 2015 season recovering from a knee injury. That makes up a dynamic attack for Head Coach Adrian Heath, who can utilize an array of players along his back line in front of new goalkeeper Joe Bendik.
“They’re going to start out with a lot of energy,” Cassar said. “I think we’re going to have to finish our chances when we get them to really take the fans out of the game.”
