Major League Soccer Playoffs, Leg 2: Real Salt Lake Has Hill To Climb
FC Dallas (2) vs. Real Salt Lake (1), Rio Tinto Stadium, 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, ESPN
What we learned in Leg 1: Kevin Hartman is back. After missing six matches with a knee injury, the Goalkeeper of the Year finalist didn't look remotely rusty as he ably handled the FC Dallas backline and only allowed one goal. That goal, it should be noted, probably wouldn't have been stopped by any keeper, in any league, in any state of health. Considering he's one of only two opposing goalkeepers to win at Rio Tinto Stadium, this is as welcome a development as any.
What we expect to change in Leg 2: Real Salt Lake will be without the services of Javier Morales, this we know for sure. They may also be without Alvaro Saborio, who apparently reaggravated a knew injury and has been held out of practice this week. Those absences would obviously be problematic, but RSL has shown a level of depth this year rarely seen in MLS. If Fabian Espindola and Robbie Findley are the two starting forward, that could play right into Jason Kreis' preferred style. Look for this leg to be even more wide open than the first, as RSL looks to exploit their altitude advantage.
You’ll know FC Dallas is in trouble if: RSL doesn’t necessarily need to score an early goal, but they are able to force the Hoops into playing an uptempo game, that plays right into their strength. One of the primary reasons Rio Tinto has become such a fortress is because Kreis has turned RSL into one of the fittest teams in MLS. If the Dallas players are sucking wind early on, that is not a good sign.
You'll know Real Salt Lake is in trouble if: Even more than ceding an early goal, the Lakers need to control the pace of this game. If FC Dallas is able to control the midfield — a distinct possibility with Morales out — this could be a frustrating night for the defending champions. David Ferreira is an obvious key, but so is likely starter Brek Shea and defensive midfielder Daniel Hernandez.
FC Dallas needs a big game from: Ferreira might be the league’s MVP and it’s games like this where MVPs are expected to make their marks. The Colombian doesn’t need to score and doesn’t even need to be involved in the scoring, but he does need to make sure this game is played on the Hoops’ terms. That means retaining possession and not giving away easy turnovers.
Real Salt Lake needs a big game from: Kyle Beckerman probably isn't going to score any goals, but especially with Morales out, he's going to need to dominate the midfield. Whether that means making Ferreira's life difficult, cutting off the Dallas attack or feeding his own offense, Beckerman's play will go a long way toward deciding the outcome of this one.
Our prediction: RSL wins 3-1, and pulls out a 4-3 aggregate victory
Projected lineup, formations and statistics: RSL-FCD Leg 2 Preview
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