Real Salt Lake will be looking to bolster their MLS playoff hopes when they play host to Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
At a time when the home side sit in sixth position in the Western Conference standings, the visitors have already been cut adrift at the bottom of the table.
Match preview
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Ahead of their Leagues Cup campaign, everyone associated with Real Salt Lake would have been delighted with their trajectory, a consequence of a 10-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Since July 23, though, five defeats have been posted from seven games, a total of four losses coming in succession with 12 goals being conceded in the process.
Two of those setbacks have come in MLS, with Real Salt Lake going down 3-0 at home to Houston Dynamo before suffering a surprise 2-1 reverse at home to Portland Timbers.
Head coach Pablo Mastroeni has been left searching for solutions at a time when his side now sit in sixth position in the Western Conference, albeit just three points adrift of second.
More importantly, there is just a four-point gap to ninth place, and taking advantage of playing the division's bottom side has become imperative.
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During July, there were signs that Colorado Rapids were ready to make an assault on avoiding finishing in last spot having put together a three-match unbeaten run.
Back-to-back clean sheets in goalless draws were perceived to be positive results, but four defeats have now been registered in all competitions.
While each of those fixtures took place away from home, 13 goals were conceded, with Robin Fraser's side failing to score at Los Angeles FC and Minnesota United.
These teams are no strangers to each other in 2023, two games being staged within four days of each other in May with Real Salt Lake prevailing in both MLS and the US Open Cup.
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Team News
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Cristian Arango is in line to be recalled to the Real Salt Lake XI after scoring as a substitute against Portland Timbers.
Depending on whether Mastroeni sticks with a back four, Andres Gomez may feature on the right-hand side, while Jasper Loffelsend is in contention to return in midfield.
Braian Galvan could be named in the Colorado side as a replacement for Sam Nicholson on the right flank.
Kevin Cabral may also play on the opposite side of the pitch, while changes in defence cannot be ruled out with Lalas Abubakar potentially returning in the middle of the backline.
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Hidalgo, Glad, Vera, Brody; Eneli, Loffelsend, Ojeda, Luna; Arango, Rubin
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Bombito, Maxso, Wilson, Gutman; Priso, Tavares; Nicholson, Ronan, Harris; Navarro
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-0 Colorado Rapids
With both teams having lost each of their last two league matches, this could be a closer game than some anticipate. That said, home advantage could prove key for Real Salt Lake to get back on track, and a goal in each half could secure maximum points.
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