Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Charlotte FC - prediction, team news, lineups

RSL were thrashed 4-0 by Columbus Crew last weekend, while the Crown played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Toronto FC.

Match preview

Salt Lake have a game outstanding on most sides in the MLS this term, but four losses in a row at the start of the season does not bode well for the club's season.

Pablo Mastroeni's team have failed to keep a clean sheet, with their only victory coming on the opening gameweek of the campaign at Vancouver Whitecaps.

A four-game losing run has followed since late February, and the most recent losses must be dispiriting to the club from Utah.

A 4-0 defeat at home to Saint Louis City SC on March 26 was demoralising, but that was followed by another mauling by a similar score against Columbus, inflicting upon them their fourth successive loss.

They have netted only three times in five matches and conceded 13, and the upshot of that is 11th place in the Western Conference and 26th from 29 for the overall standings.

Facing struggling Charlotte this weekend could be the fillip for Mastroeni's men to find their feet, except the side they host thinks the same.

The Crown have not made the strongest starts to the 2023 season either, claiming five points from six gameweeks, securing just one win in that time.

Having played one more game than Salt Lake, it is telling that the side they travel to this weekend could leapfrog them in the general standings if they lose for the fourth time this season.

Interestingly, it should be noted that Charlotte have picked up five points from their last three fixtures in the league, an unbeaten run that began with their first win of the season against Orlando City in March.

Christian Lattanzio's team would view themselves as favourites on Saturday, even if they are away, due to the slightly superior form they have shown so early in 2023.

Victory for Charlotte could see them rise as high as eighth from second-bottom in the Eastern Conference and climb in the general table.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:

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Real Salt Lake form (all competitions):

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Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

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Team News

Zac MacMath was dropped for Gavin Beavers in goal against Columbus but conceded four times, so it remains to be seen if Mastroeni retains the 17-year-old for Saturday's encounter.

A sore ankle is expected to keep Axel Kei out, and Zack Farnsworth is still absent with a thigh injury.

Wide attacker Kamil Jozwiak was instrumental in Charlotte's fightback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 last week, scoring the leveller after assisting the first, and the Poland international should start this weekend.

Brandt Bronico has served his retrospective one-match suspension for serious foul play and should return to the lineup.

Having missed the start of the campaign with a back injury, Kristijan Kahlina is not expected to return in goal on Saturday.

Adam Armour and Guzman Corujo are also not likely to play any part this weekend.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

Beavers; Eneli, Glad, Vera, Brody; Chang, Loffelsand, Ojeda, Meram; Kreilach; Julio

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:

Marks; Lindsey, Malanda, Tuiloma, Afful; Jozwiak, Nuno Santos, Jones, Bronico, Vargas; Copetti

We say: Real Salt Lake 0-1 Charlotte FC

Only two teams in the Eastern and Western Conference have netted more than Charlotte's five away from home, implying that the Crown are primed to inflict another defeat on a side who are the joint-third lowest scorers in the MLS.

How to watch

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