WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: REAL SALT LAKE
Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent.
Opponent: Real Salt Lake
Kick Off time: 8:30 PM Central Time
Location: America First Field, Sandy, Utah
History vs. Austin FC:
Austin FC is 4-0-3 all-time to Real Salt Lake including playoffs. Last season they won 2-1 in Utah thanks to goals from Jon Gallagher and Owen Wolff
Recent Matches:
Real Salt Lake is currently first in the Western Conference and is on a 12-game unbeaten streak. They’ve drawn their last two games (5/25 at FC Dallas, which everyone should watch, and 5/29 at Seattle).
Players to Watch:
Christian Arango
The former LAFC and Pachuca striker is the current Golden Boot leader in MLS having scored 13 goals in 16 appearances this season. He’s not just a goal scorer but a playmaker as he’s second on the team in assists. To slow down or stop the Real Salt Lake attack both of Austin’s center backs (and whoever is playing deep in the midfield) need their full attention on him at all times.
Diego Luna
The 20-year-old is having a breakout season this year. He’s playing to the left of Arango and linking well having already totaled last season’s goal contribution in only 14 appearances. With Austin’s issues at right back, whoever is there needs to put in a good performance to stop him.
Zac MacMath/Gavin Beavers
RSL is on the cusp of a keeper controversy, MacMath has been the regular starter since 2022 but looking at the numbers (As well as the eye test here) the 19-year-old Beavers is putting in better performances. Unless MacMath improves Pablo Mastroeni is going to have an important decision to make for a team with MLS Cup aspirations.
Keys to the Match:
One Hot July
With this week’s announcement of Osman Bukari and the expected signing of Mikkel Desler coming from Toulouse Austin has reinforcements on the way this summer. This is a positive as the roster is showing serious cracks and Coach Wolff deals with a lack of options. Austin FC fans can take some solace the team has played 16 matches and already accumulated 23 points and sits in 5th place despite these challenges. Points needed to finish 9th in the Western Conference:
2021: 45
2022: 43
2023: 44
With an improved squad for the last ten games, Austin is in a good position to play past Decision Day.
The Height of Performance
America First Field is the second-highest stadium in MLS behind only Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado. The altitude will affect an Austin team that looked tired and out of ideas on Wednesday. RSL has only been shutout once at home this season, averaging two goals per match, and have only lost once back in March. Austin has only one road win this season and average less than a point per match on the road in 2024.
Will Goals Come?
Leading scorer, Captain, and Austin FC Talisman Sebastian Driussi are listed as questionable after coming off during the second half of Saturday’s match. With their leading scorer unlikely to feature, how will Austin generate offense? In seven road matches this season they’ve only scored three times (and one of those goal-scorers isn’t on the team anymore). I fully expect Austin to have a defensive approach in this match, much as they’ve done in most road matches this season, but they need to generate some attack or possession to alleviate pressure and keep RSL from playing the entire match in their attacking half.
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT SPECHT
