It's the final road game of the season for FC Dallas and a quick turnaround as they travel to Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah for a crucial game. FC Dallas currently sits tied at the top of the Supporters' Shield race with the New York Red Bulls and can clinch the #1 seed in the Western Conference with a win on Saturday night.
For Real Salt Lake, it's a tricky situation as Jeff Cassar's side must balance Saturday's match with Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League showdown against Guatemala's Municipal in which the winner will advance to the knockout stages of that tournament. It remains to be seen whether RSL will field a reserve lineup or not as they mathematically still have a chance of slipping into the sixth playoff spot as they are six points behind with two matches left but must win their final two and hope multiple teams lose their final two matches while making up a significant goal differential.
KEY PLAYER FOR Real Salt Lake
Sebastian Jaime – The Argentine forward was brought to RSL with big hopes of leading that front line much in the same way that Alvaro Saborio did for many years, but it hasn't quite come together for the 28-year-old. He has only five goals this season, but still presents a handful for defenses and FC Dallas will need to be sure to mark him at all times.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Michael Barrios vs. Tony Beltran – The RSL veteran outside back has featured for the US Men's National Team in the past and is as solid as it gets, but he will have to deal with FCD's dynamic wingers in both Barrios and Fabian Castillo who love to swap wings throughout the match.
Mauro Diaz vs. Kyle Beckerman – Mauro has been absolutely magical over the last month of the season and it will be up to RSL's defensive midfield to try and slow him down. Beckerman will have his hands full, assuming Cassar gives him the start with the previously mentioned CCL match following on Tuesday.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando; Defenders: Tony Beltran, Aaron Maund, Elias Vasquez, Jordan Allen; Midfielders: Luke Mullholland, Kyle Beckerman, Juan Martinez, Javier Morales, Luis Silva; Forward: Sebastian Jaime
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
FC Dallas heads into this match needing three points to put pressure on New York in the Supporters' Shield race. The keys for Dallas are to keep feeding the guys that make the offense go and that's Mauro Diaz, Fabian Castillo who returns from international duty and Michael Barrios. If FCD can not give away silly free kicks and set pieces that Javier Morales can exploit, Dallas should have a great chance of walking out of Rio Tinto with a crucial three points.
