RSL vs LA Galaxy: Preview and How To Watch

Struggling Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy meet in an Independence Day matchup. Both teams are in need of three points as the summer grind continues.

Western Conference foes Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy get ready for an Independence Day clash that will add even more to their long history. The last time these two teams met, a first half red card to Kyle Beckerman put RSL down a man just before halftime at Rio Tinto Stadium, then Romain Alessandrini’s heroics led to two goals within ten minutes in the second half, bringing the final score to 2-1 in favor of the visitors. The result led to the firing of RSL head coach Jeff Cassar, and now Mike Petke looks to earn a result on the road as he continues trying to rebuild Real Salt Lake. Here’s what we’ll be looking out for.

Real Salt Lake

Current Record: 5-12-2

Last Time Out: 1-0  loss to Orlando City

Player To Watch: Yura Movsisyan. Real Salt Lake has struggled to find the back of the net and Movsisyan has been asking for more playing time. With Luis Silva being suspended for this match following a stomp against Orlando City, Yura will likely play a full 90 and should have a chance to turn things around. With Jelle Van Damme also missing this one for the Galaxy, Yura could break his drought and help the team earn a much-needed result.

Why They Win: This will be the first time that head coach Mike Petke has the option to play his entire first-choice XI (depending on how you feel about Yura and Silva). It’s also amazing that the team has gone past the halfway point of the season in order to have this option. With Albert Rusnák back from international duty and everyone else relatively healthy, it will be very telling to see who Petke chooses as the team tries to save their season. With Rusnák back pulling the strings along with Justen Glad in the defense, RSL could finally earn their second road victory of the season.

Why They Won’t: Changes are coming for RSL, some of which have already started with the team signing Marcelo Silva this week. Silva can’t play until the 10th when the transfer window officially opens, which means we may see some players who are on the bubble get the nod against the Galaxy. The team played last Friday and is now on a short turnaround with their trip to LA, where they have historically struggled as well. The short turnaround, the road trip, the final auditions heading into the window, all combined with the team’s other struggles on the field, may lead to another dropped result, which would come at no surprise at this point.

Los Angeles Galaxy

https://twitter.com/LAGalaxy/status/882320870978469888

Current Record: 6-7-4

Last Time Out: 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes

Player To Watch: Emmanuel Boateng. This should come to no surprise to anyone familiar with the history between these two teams, especially recently. Boateng has RSL to thank for a large part of his MLS career, as the 23-year-old winger from Ghana has scored five goals and registered two assists in four matches against RSL, and he has only scored one goal outside of playing RSL in his career. It could be his day again, as RSL has struggled against speedy wingers this year.

Why They Win: The Galaxy have been the only team in MLS to struggle at home, having only won once there this year, but Real Salt Lake’s struggles offer the Galaxy a chance to turn things around. Having veteran Jermaine Jones potentially return to the lineup would only help their chances as well.

Why They Won’t: The Galaxy had a rough match on the road at San Jose over the weekend, and now have to turn around and play this one without many of their key pieces. Their depth earned the result the last time they played RSL, but in that match, RSL did dominate the first half when both teams were playing with 11 men. If RSL comes out strong against a reserve-heavy Galaxy side who won’t have Alessandrini to save them, their home woes could continue.

Prediction

When: July 4, 2017. 10:30 pm EST

Where: Stub Hub Center. Carson, CA

Watch: KMYU, MLS Live