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SANDY — It’s been a rough week for Real Salt Lake, after the team saw its league record-tying 12-match unbeaten streak end with a 4-0 loss at Seattle last Saturday.
The loss was followed by a 1-1 draw at Columbus that saw an RSL squad composed primarily of reserve players.
RSL has an opportunity to leave its 0-1-1 road trip in the past Saturday with a home match against the Portland Timbers, the second meeting of the season for the two sides. It will be the final match before a three-week break in MLS play for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“A win is big. We want three points,” RSL goalkeeper Jeff Attinella said. “We’re coming off a tough week, but we have a long break after this. We want three points heading into the break, and then we’ll feel like the time that these guys were gone, we did a decent job.”
Attinella was among the bright spots for Salt Lake in the road draw with the Crew on Wednesday. The first-year MLS netminder had six saves and almost single-handedly gave the team a result. There were enough positives to come out of RSL’s first mid-week match that the team isn’t fretting only taking one point in two matches.
“I thought the guys’ effort that they put forth after coming off a loss, an away game, was unbelievable,” head coach Jeff Cassar said after Friday’s practice. “It was tough playing out of a different formation, but I thought the guys accepted it.
"A win is big. We want three points. We’re coming off a tough week, but we have a long break after this. We want three points heading into the break, and then we’ll feel like the time that these guys were gone, we did a decent job.” -Jeff Attinella, RSL goalkeeper
“We could’ve walked away with a victory from it, but those last five minutes (we) have dropped some games.”
RSL (6-1-7) can finish strong with a home win ahead of the month-long MLS break for the World Cup in Brazil. Salt Lake defeated the Timbers, 1-0 on April 19, courtesy of a goal by Ned Grabavoy.
The team knows it can win — and players will be going all out for a ‘W.’
“We need three points at home, and tomorrow isn’t going to be an exception,” midfielder Javier Morales said. “We’ll go for that.”
RSL owns an 8-1-3 all-time record against Portland, including its current 11-match unbeaten streak against the Timbers. Portland has not won since the two teams’ first meeting in April 2011.
Saturday’s crowd has already sold out at Rio Tinto Stadium, including standing-room only tickets at the 20,500-seat venue, according to an RSL team spokesman. Players said the energy of the home crowd will help them start the game on the attack.
“At home, with out incredible fan base, that shouldn’t be an issue,” midfielder Cole Grossman said of the attacking issue. “Regardless of the way they come out, we should be able to match it — with tired legs or fresh legs. It shouldn’t matter.”
