Real Salt Lake vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Preview and How to Watch

RSL and the Whitecaps prepare to do after each had a week of ups and downs. Both sides are looking for three points and a step out the cellar in the West.

Vancouver visits Rio Tinto Stadium this week to take on Real Salt Lake. The Whitecaps are looking to keep up their momentum following their 4-2 throttling of the Galaxy last weekend. They’ll have to overcome the disappointment of their midweek CONCACAF match, where they were knocked out the tournament by Tigres UANL of Liga MX.

As for their opponents, newly appointed head coach, Mike Petke, is set to make his RSL debut this week. The Claret & Cobalt will try to move on from the embarrassing loss to Minnesota United a week ago. Petke gets his first chance to right the ship and save Real from floundering the entire season.

Vancouver Whitecaps

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The Whitecaps came out swinging Wednesday as they tried to erase the two goal deficit on aggregate against Tigres in CCL play. Brek Shea put Vancouver up 1-0 just three minutes into the match before being subbed off with an injury just seven minutes later. Two second half goals from the Mexican side would be the difference, knocking the Whitecaps out 4-1 after two legs.

Vancouver doesn’t get much of a chance to mourn as they now head to Salt Lake City to face a struggling RSL. Brek Shea’s injury looks to be serious, and the team will have to move forward without him. The club looks to continue the momentum from their victory over the Galaxy last week, as substitutes Freddy Montero and Tony Tchani changed the direction of the game. Both Montero and Tchani should get starts against RSL. If the two newcomers can build on their recent success, the Whitecaps could easily find their way to a second straight victory.

The Canadian side is looking for a return to the post-season after missing out last year. Picking up points on the road, especially against Western Conference foes, will help them jump back over the red line. Given RSL’s recent struggles, this has to be a match the Whitecaps try to win, despite the short turnaround.

Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Yura Movsisyan (14) against Minnesota United at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota United defeated Real Salt Lake 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Real Salt Lake

There is nowhere to go but up for Real Salt Lake. As Mike Petke takes the reins just five games into the season, the club is in dead last in both the West and the combined standings. Injuries have been a big part of RSL’s disappointing start, but Petke will need to find a way to overcome their shortcomings quickly if the club hopes for a chance to make the post-season for the second straight year. Attacker Joao Plata looks healthy enough to return to the fold. Getting him back into form to compliment Yura Movsisyan should help RSL get out of their slump. Movsisyan has scored a goal in two straight games for RSL, but both were overshadowed as the club lost both matches.

The back-line is still a major concern. Last week, the team was forced to reach beyond the depth chart when Aaron Maund went down injured. Midfielders Luke Mulholland and Brooks Lennon both saw time at right back for the first time in their careers after replacing Chris Wingert, who stepped into center back for Maund. Regular starters Chris Schuler and Tony Beltran should be back to this week to reinforce the defense, but there still aren’t many options behind them.

Both the attack and defense has shown well during stretches so far this year, but not at the same time. If RSL can get everyone on the same page, they should be able to overcome their injuries. Overcoming those injuries creates a good chance of starting off the Petke era with three points.

Next: MLS Multiplex Podcast: Episode 3 – Schweinsteiger who?

How to Watch

When: Saturday, March 8, 2017, 9:30pm EST (6:30 PST)
Where: Rio Tinto Stadium. Sandy, Utah
Watch: KMYU, TSN4, TSN5, MLS Live

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