SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake returns home to its Rio Tinto Stadium fortress for the only time in April this Saturday night, seeking to extend its unbeaten 2015 start against the West-leading Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Head Coach Jeff Cassar’s team also looks to extend the club’s 12-game unbeaten run at home (dating back to June 7, 2014), with TVcoverage kicking off locally at 7:00 p.m. MT on KMYU (air 2.2 / satellite 12 / Comcast 643). Saturday’s match will also be broadcast locally on ESPN 700 AM (pre-game at 6:30p MT / post-game at 8:30p MT) and 102.3 La Gran D FM / 1600 AM.
Real Salt Lake (2-0-3, 9 points, t-3 West) returns to the Rio Tinto Stadium confines after back-to-back shutouts on the road, winning 1-0 at San Jose two weeks ago and securing a 0-0 draw at Sporting Kansas City last Saturday. GK Nick Rimando needed just one save – this week’s MLS Save of the Week – in the 6th minute to extend his all-time league record of 118 career shutouts. Last week’s clean sheet was RSL’s 100th in the franchise’s 325-game history (Rimando’s 82nd for the Claret-and-Cobalt); with a win Saturday, Rimando would hit the century mark in wins (100) for his RSL career (the club has 122).
How to Follow Real Salt Lake v Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Coverage Begins: 7:00 p.m. MT
• TV: KMYU – David James & Brian Dunseth
• English Radio: ESPN700 AM (6:30 p.m. MT) – Bill Riley, Jeremy Horton & Brian Kamler
• Spanish Radio: 102.3 La Gran D FM / 1600 AM – Nelson Moran
• Online: The @RealSaltLake Twitter Feed will provide match updates
Game Guide for Saturday’s RSL-VAN Match Now Available Online
Following is the link to the Adobe PDF version of the MLS Game Guide in advance of Saturday’s contest between Real Salt Lake and Vancouver.
Click here to download the PDF version of the MLS Game Guide for Saturday’s RSL-VAN matchup
RSL History v. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
RSL owns a 3-0-3 all-time record at home against Vancouver, including a pair of draws in Utah last season. Both games saw late goals – first by Vancouver in April and then by RSL in July – split the points, prior to Vancouver earning a 2-1 win at home in September to capture the 2014 series.
All-time, RSL owns a 4-3-4 overall mark against Vancouver, along with a 12-0-3 Rio Tinto Stadium record against the Canadian triumvirate of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, outscoring the trio 32-10.
Three of Four April Games on the Road for RSL
RSL hits the road once more this month after Saturday, heading to Foxborough, Mass., on Sat., April 25 seeking to extend the club’s 12-game unbeaten run against Eastern foes. RSL has enjoyed a perfect 2014/15 against East teams, with a 7-0-5 overall mark, outscoring the East 28-14, including a 5-0-1 home mark with a 14/4 goal differential. RSL’s last loss to an East team? July 20, 2013 against Sporting Kansas City, now in the West.
Rio Tinto Stadium Busy as Monarchs, RSL Juggle Slates
While RSL’s lone home match of April occurs on Saturday the 18th against Vancouver, Rio Tinto Stadium hosts four USL matches this month, including the expansion Monarchs’ second-ever two-game home week on April 25 and 29, against the Los Angeles Galaxy II (8:00 p.m. MT) and defending USL champion Sacramento Republic FC. The Monarchs – bridging the gap between RSL’s Arizona academy and the first team – square off tonight against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at 7:00 p.m. MT on www.RealMonarchs.com. For more info on tickets – starting at just $8 – and Head Coach Freddy Juarez’ team, which includes Utah’s own Garrett Losee and professionals from around the world.
