Previewing Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake with KSL.com Sports
(image via Real Salt Lake)
The Houston Dynamo return home after a road point last week to host Real Salt Lake. We talked to our friend Caleb Turner from KSL.com Sports to get some insight on RSL ahead of Saturday’s match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): Real Salt Lake crashed out of Concacaf Champions Cup and is coming off a tough home loss to expansion side San Diego FC after conceding twice in stoppage time. What is the mood like around the team after early on this season with some of these struggles?
KSL.com Sports (KSL): Definitely frustration but also a sense that it’s still early in the season. Hopes were back up after a home opener win over Seattle, but the San Diego loss certainly deflated things. Pablo Mastroeni talked about it being a time for “serious reflection”
BCS: Chicho Arango left this offseason and it doesn't seem RSL has replaced him up front. We've seen Ariath Piol play as a forward recently but what is the plan for RSL and striker and where are the goals going to come from?
KSL: The front office hopes to bring in an offensive player before the close of the primary window next month. They’ve also stressed that they are prioritizing development though, and have a lot of hopes and expectations for Diogo Gonçalves and Dominik Marczuk to start scoring.
BCS: Diego Luna is RSL's star man, just getting called to the USMNT for Nations League. How vital is Luna to what RSL does and how high is his ceiling this season and in the future?
KSL: He is by far the most important player, but also the most likely to leave due to interest from Europe. RSL is set on building around him for now, and after being an All-Star and Young Player of the Year last year the sky is the limit for him at just 21 years old. But if the right offer comes through I don’t think they’ll hesitate to sell him.
BCS: RSL's one Designated Player, Diogo Goncalves, has just two goals in league play since joining MLS. What has caused him to struggle so far and what do you think he and the team needs to do to get him on the right track?
KSL: The common excuse so far has been the physicality and transition play of MLS compared to Europe. I think they are still trying to find the right position for him on the field playing next to Luna and he is probably being asked to look to score more than he’s used to due to the departures of Chicho and Andres Gomez.
BCS: Rafael Cabral is Salt Lake's new goalkeeper this season. What have you seen from him this season, so far, and how is the defense coming together with the new man in net?
KSL: I think Cabral has been very solid. Ironically he probably had his best game against San Diego, despite giving up three goals. He had 3-4 huge saves and his distribution is good. The constantly rotating backline has been the bigger issue in my opinion. There have been 2+ defensive subs in every game so far but Pablo Mastroeni said ideally they would only ever substitute the left back due to the offensive demand in their formation. Have to lock down that starting backline.
BCS: Are there any notable injuries for Salt Lake and what is your best guess at a lineup prediction?
KSL: The team is actually very healthy right now. Starting lineup will likely be: Cabral, Brown, Glad, Vera, Katranis, Ojeda, Eneli, Marczuk, Gonçalves, Luna, Piol
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We want to thank Caleb for his time and wish our friends in Utah the best of luck Saturday afternoon. Be sure to check out Caleb’s Real Salt Lake coverage at KSL.com Sports.
