Real Salt Lake vs New England Revs: Preview and How To Watch

Real Salt Lake heads to New England for a cross-conference showdown against the Revolution. Both teams have struggled recently and look to turn it around.

Struggling sides Real Salt Lake and the New England Revolution look to set things straight in this MLS Week 11 matchup. RSL have reached the end of their depth chart thanks to call-ups and injuries. New England has dipped in form following a promising start. Both sides are in need of a result and will try to take advantage of their struggling opponent.

New England Revolution

Current Record: 2-4-4

Last Time Out: 2-0 Loss at Columbus

Player To Watch: Juan Agudelo. Agudelo has been on the only real regular in a revolving door of Revs’ attackers. With the RSL defense being mistake prone, the New England attack will need to be ready to pounce and capitalize on mistakes. That’s where Agudelo comes in. If he can get going early, he could put this game away by himself because of RSL’s scoring struggles.

Why They Win: It’s been a rough month for the Revolution. The club has not won a match since April 8 against the Dynamo. Since then, the Revs have experienced a variety of results included scoreless draws, high-scoring draws, and multiple-goal losses. If New England can get the attack and defense on the same page, then they could quickly battle their way back above the red line.

Why They Won’t: While the Revs had stayed true to their 4-4-2 diamond, the club has tinkered heavily with their line up. Kelyn Rowe has soon time on the back line as well as a number 10. Lee Nguyen and Diego Fagundez have each taken turns up top and in the 10 role as well, then rotated positions. Who knows what is going on with Kei Kamara. Until New England can find their identity, expect the struggles to continue.

Predicted Starting XI:

Real Salt Lake

Current Record: 2-6-2

Last Time Out: 3-0 Loss vs Dallas

Player To Watch: Jefferson Saravino. The club’s new signing comes in touted as a young Designated Player. He was performing well for Zulia FC in Venezuela before making the move to RSL. Saravino will be thrown right into the fire. Real’s injury woes are still prevalent, and now call-ups have depleted the roster, so Saravino will have a chance to show everyone what he can do.

Why They Win: Despite the injuries and finishing woes, RSL had strung together several strong performances, although in a losing effort. Things finally broke down against Sporting, and RSL looked like the team you would expect was missing the majority of their starting line-up (and their backups). Given the Revs recent struggles, if RSL can get back to their form they could find themselves pulling out a result against the odds.

Why They Won’t: This team is depleted. It doesn’t help that lineup regulars Brooks Lennon, Sebastian Saucedo, and Danny Acosta are now unavailable as well. Just getting everyone home and healthy another week is a win at this point, regardless of the score line.

Predicted Starting XI:

Next: MLS Multiplex Match Day Predictions

Score Prediction

How To Watch

Where: Gillette Stadium.  Foxborough, Mass.
When: Saturday, May 13. 7:30 p.m. ET
Watch: KMYU, MLS LIVE