MLS Weekend Predictions: Friday, July 4

Jun 28, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Real Salt Lake line up for a team photo prior to the game against the Chivas USA at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Real Salt Lake (6-3-7, 3rd Western) vs. New England Revolution (7-6-2, 3rd Eastern)

RSL Form: L/L/L/D/L Revs Form: L/W/W/L/L

Last Match: 0-0 Draw (February 20, 2014)

Third in the East visits third in the West as Real Salt Lake hosts the surprising Revs in a match where both clubs will be looking to end losing streaks as RSL has two straight league losses in addition to a US Open Cup defeat to the Atlanta Silverbacks while the Revs have had their hot start to 2014 cooled with losses to Montreal, New York, and Philadelphia giving them no points in nearly a month.

Desperation will make both of these sides more defensively aware than in recent matches, but the Revs should be concerned that they have allowed multiple goals in their last three MLS matches. Expect a more defensive gameplan out of the Revs, who may have to park the bus to get out of a ground where they haven’t won in MLS play since 2009. Lacking goals and quality defensive play for a long stretch now since coming out strong, the Revs should be just what Salt Lake need to end their own five match winless streak and stay in the upper half of the Western Conference table.

Prediction: RSL