Real Salt Lake Takes on DC United at Rio Tinto this Saturday Afternoon

By: Rocky Cole | April 10th, 2009

Real Salt Lake jumped up to 5th place in the latest Offside Power Ranking (also their spot in the western standings) after a resounding thump was placed on defending MLS champion Columbus Crew. Now, DC United rolls into Rio Tinto hoping that a win can push them further up their third place spot in the East. (7th in the Offside power rankings for the league.)

After seeing what happened to Toronto FC last week when they faced the Seattle Sounders, I no longer feel that bad about RSL’s loss to the expansion team this season. And now that RSL made a recovery in style by beating the Crew, it’s time to settle in for the long haul and see how RSL sustains play through the rest of the MLS season.

While Findley had a great game last week, along with Beckerman, Mathis, and of course the RSL defense, I still have to wonder when Yura Movsisyan is going to catch fire? You see, I believe that he will, and that once he does – look out. With Movsisyan and Findley up top, and Mathis, Morales, Beckerman and Johnson behind the strikers, delivering playable balls, RSL has an offense that can put some points on the board.

As Rice Eccles was good to RSL in years past, so may it be with Rio Tinto. Last week was RSL’s coming out party at their new stadium under wet and cold conditions, but regardless, 11,000 intrepid fans still made it out on a Thursday night to watch their team open up the home season. This Saturday at 4:00 MST I predict that the stadium will be loud and energized with a lot more than 11,000 on hand as RSL takes on DC. Let’s see if RSL can keep moving up the chart in the West. I think the team is just getting into a rhythm and it’s best play is yet to come. Findley seems to be firing on all cylinders, now if Movsisyan can get going, RSL may be headed someplace good.

In taking a look at the RSL player availability report, the first team usual suspects will be on the field and ready to go. DC, however, will not have the services of Josh Wicks, out with a hip flexor strain, and Jaime Moreno, who is serving a game suspension for a red card. So, my scientifically based prediction for this week (based partly on the fact that I bleed claret and cobalt) is: RSL 3 – DC 1.