Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City

America First Field is the venue as Real Salt Lake and Orlando City go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking Major League Soccer showdown.

A narrow 1-0 triumph at Toronto last weekend solidified Salt Lake’s bid to reach the MLS playoffs for the third season running, extending their decent-looking unbeaten league run to six matches (W4, D2). A six-point buffer on 10th-placed Sporting Kansas City gives Pablo Mastroeni’s side some breathing space, but Orlando’s visit could break the harmony, with the ‘Claret and Cobalt’ only winning one of their six previous MLS meetings (D3, L2). On top of that, Salt Lake’s dreadful home league record this season (W2, D4, L4) won improve their mindset, especially considering they’ve gone winless in their last six MLS home fixtures (D4, L2). What’s even more concerning is that they failed to find the net in four of those six clashes.

In the meantime, Orlando City utterly outclassed Toronto in midweek MLS action, steamrolling to an overwhelming 4-0 home victory to make it four league games without losing (W2, D2). With three of those four matches seeing Oscar Pareja’s side score 2+ goals, it’ll likely be up to his defense to hold up their end of the bargain. His defenders have seemingly found their feet, keeping two clean sheets on their last three MLS travels after letting in at least once in their first six away league outings. Interestingly, a clear majority (72%) of Orlando’s MLS goals (scored/conceded) on the road this season have come beyond halftime (18/25), suggesting an action-packed second half could be in store.