Seattle Sounders will continue their pursuit of the Western Conference title when they travel to face playoff hopefuls Real Salt Lake this weekend.
Last season’s Major League Soccer Cup runners-up have not topped the Western Conference since 2014, despite lifting two MLS Cups since.
Match preview
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Unbeaten in their first 14 fixtures this season, the Sounders have fallen behind the pace in recent weeks, but will return to the top of the table with a victory over Real Salt Lake.
Currently in second, one point behind leaders Sporting Kansas City, legendary Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer will be hoping his side can make use of one of their games in hand to climb back to the summit.
Having recovered from a mid-season wobble, the club from Washington have enjoyed a comfortable run of form, losing just one of their last six MLS matches.
On course to match their 64-point haul from when the Sounders topped the Western Conference seven years ago, Schmetzer’s side will travel to south in the knowledge they hold one of the division’s strongest away records.
Minnesota United remain the only side Seattle have lost to on the road, with the Loons running out comfortable 2-0 winners over the Sounders back in July.
Whilst they may be favourites to top the Eastern Conference, the Sounders have relied on a shrewd defence to see them through games and they boast the league’s tightest backline.
No side across MLS have conceded fewer goals than Seattle, with the side’s 19 conceded having provided the platform for their successful season.
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Notorious for grinding teams down, Seattle’s next opponents play in a completely different manner, with Real Salt Lake often entertaining in their matches.
Playing out a thrilling 4-3 encounter with San Jose Earthquakes in their last fixture, Pablo Mastroeni‘s men came from behind twice to secure only their third away win of the campaign.
It is at the Rio Tinto Stadium where the Claret and Cobalt have picked up their points this season, losing only twice in 12 home matches.
Mastroeni has had an indifferent start to life as interim coach at Real Salt Lake after taking over from Freddy Juarez at the end of August and the 2009 MLS Cup winners, but still in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Despite being winless in their last four head-to-heads with Seattle, Real Salt Lake will be confident of causing an upset when the two-time MLS Cup winners come to visit Utah.
The Sounders have not left the Rio Tinto with three points in their last nine visits, a run stretching back to November 2012.
Approaching almost a decade since the Sounders last beat Real Salt Lake on the road, a win against Mastroeni’s men will send out a statement for the rest of the league.
Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:
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- W
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- L
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- W
Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer form:
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- L
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- W
- D
Team News
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Rubio Rubin‘s fifth goal of the campaign was the decisive one for Real Salt Lake in their recent triumph over the Earthquakes and the centre-forward will have to perform once again for the visit of Seattle.
Andrew Brody has missed the last 14 Claret and Cobalt matches, with the right-back expected to be missing for at least another month.
Everton Luiz could come back into the Real Salt Lake side after serving his yellow card suspension, whereas Zack Farnsworth, Zac MacMath, Bobby Wood and Noah Powder are all expected to sit the match out.
Winger Jordan Morris picked up a similar injury at the beginning of August and the 26-year-old is still recovering from cruciate ligament surgery.
Stefan Frei made his second consecutive start in the Sounders’ Leagues Cup semi-final against Santos Laguna, with the goalkeeper likely to feature between the sticks once more.
Xavier Arreaga and striker Raul Ruidiaz also returned for the Sounders following a period away from the side on international duty.
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Chang, Glad, Silva, Toia; Besler, Menendez, Meram; Rubin, Rusnak, Kreilach
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Arreaga, O’Neill, Tolo; Rowe, Atencio, Paulo, Medranda; Benezet, Bruin, Lodeiro
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-2 Seattle Sounders
Seattle have been one of MLS’ standout sides over the past few years and last season’s runners-up are well-placed to pick up their third triumph this campaign.
However, Real Salt Lake have proved a troublesome side for the Sounders in recent times and the Utah club could pull out a shock once more.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data Source: | This article originally belongs to Sportsmole.co.ukncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue82erqxnoKeyt7XEsGSrnZGherSty61kpZmbmnq3v4ysnJqspKGybr%2FOrqWdnaKoerG%2BxJ2gnKyZpLtuwMSapGamlazAbrjIp5yuqKNk