Salt Lakevs.Seattle

The Claret and Cobalt were thoroughly beaten on their opening-day trip to San Jose Earthquakes, a result that leaves them rooted to the bottom of both the Western Conference and overall standings.

Match preview

Salt Lake endured a second consecutive opening-day setback, falling 4-0 at San Jose in a repeat of last season's struggles, when they began with a 2-0 defeat at Inter Miami before securing their first win on matchday three — their maiden home league fixture of 2024.

Pablo Mastroeni's men will be eager to replicate that early turnaround, especially given their strong record against this weekend's visitors, whom they have beaten four times in their last five meetings across all competitions on home soil.

However, overall form remains a concern, as Salt Lake are yet to win in three competitive outings this term, their dismal league opener sandwiched between a two-legged CONCACAF Champions Cup exit at the hands of Herediano, who edged them 2-1 on aggregate in the first round.

RSL had battled to a goalless draw in Costa Rica and looked on course for the next phase when Foster Ajago fired them ahead in the 26th minute of the return leg, only for Elias Aguilar to level in the 70th before Randy Vega's stoppage-time penalty in the 99th minute delivered a crushing blow — one they will carry into this weekend's encounter.

Seattle, on the other hand, found success on the continental stage, overcoming Guatemalan outfit Antigua with a 3-1 home win to progress in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on a 6-3 aggregate after mirroring that same scoreline in the first leg.

However, those remain the Rave Green's only competitive victories in 2025 after three outings, with their only MLS fixture ending in a 2-2 home draw against Charlotte FC in the sole cross-conference clash of the opening weekend.

Jordan Morris twice put Brian Schmetzer's side ahead, but defensive lapses proved costly, with Yeimar Gomez Andrade's own goal in the 92nd minute handing Charlotte a dramatic equaliser and leaving Seattle sixth in the Western Conference and 14th overall.

While America First Field Sandy has not been a happy hunting ground for the visitors, their struggles in front of goal there have been particularly alarming, as they have failed to find the net in each of their last five trips — a drought they will be desperate to end as they seek their first league win of the campaign.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:

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W

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Real Salt Lake form (all competitions):

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D

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L

Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer form:

D

W

W

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D

Seattle Sounders form (all competitions):

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L

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W

Team News

Expected absentees for Salt Lake on Saturday include Matthew Bell (hamstring), goalkeeper Zac MacMath (back) and Ariath Piol (hamstring).

There were wholesale changes to the lineup in their last outing compared to the side that started the league opener, with shotstopper Rafael Cabral, midfielder Nelson Palacio and striker Forster Ajago the only ones who retained their places.

Despite Pablo Mastroeni's unpredictable selections, Ajago — who found the net last time out — and Cabral are the likeliest to keep their spots, though changes are still expected, albeit not as extensive as before.

Seattle appear to have come through their clash with Antigua unscathed, leaving Reed Baker-Whiting as the only confirmed absentee as he continues his recovery from a hamstring issue.

However, goalkeeper Stefan Frei was left out of that squad, casting doubt over his availability for Saturday's encounter.

Meanwhile, Morris should once again lead the attack as he looks to build on his brace from the opening league fixture.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

Cabral; Brown, Glad, Henry, Vera; Ojeda, Eneli; Luna, Brook, Wolff; Ajago

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:

Thomas; A Roldan, Andrade, Ragen, Tolo; Vargas, C Roldan; De la Vega, Ferreira, Arriola; Morris

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-2 Seattle Sounders

Given Seattle's current scoring form, having netted eight times in their last three outings, they will fancy their chances of ending their goal drought at Salt Lake.

However, their away struggles against Salt Lake could still resurface, leading us to predict a share of the spoils in this encounter.

Written by

Adeyeye Oluwapelumi

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