Real Salt Lake, on the other hand, is on a four game home winning streak. They are hot at home and dismal on the road where they were beaten last in Chicago 1-0 by the Fire. Overall, their record at home is 5-1-3 with 23 goals for them and 10 goals against. On the road, the record is 1-7-2 with a dismal five goals for and 14 against. Statistics can sometimes be misleading but in this case, it’s overwhelming that Real Salt Lake has a home team advantage greater than just about anyone in the MLS. Will it be enough to get them into the playoffs again this year? Possibly, RSL is only six points behind Seattle after all, but they are not going to get the rest of their matches in Utah.
On the plus side for Seattle, Brad Evans is back from international duties, Freddie Ljungberg seems to have gotten rid of the migraines that have plagued him this season, and Fredy Montero is still second in the Golden Boot competition. Despite losing in the friendly matches, coach Sigi Schmid was able to get a lot of players some real match experience against top flight players. That is going to pay some dividends now and in the future with the grind of the season upon us and the playoffs possibly looming.
So then, what to expect from the Sounders tomorrow night? It’s difficult to say exactly but if I were a betting man, and if betting were legal of course, I would be betting on Seattle bearing down hard on the field, cleaning up the mental mistakes like ball watching, and taking care of business. It will be close but I see a Seattle win here.
Article comments
1 - Douglas Mays
Yes, it has been a bit of a grind for our Sounders FC. the friendly matches vs. Chelsea and Barca were outstanding. I attended both. the Sounders did well. Vs. Chelsea they were able to manage attacking play and kept the Chelsea defense working. Barca, however, a heck of a display of the beautiful game.
San Jose? That stuff happens. SJ just came out and played an ugly game. Just kicking, chasing and firing off anything towards the goal in haphazzard manner. A game of 'spank the keeper'...
No worries. RSL tonight should be a beautiful game that RSL should have some problems contending with.
Bottom line, we are in the stretch of the season. The MLS Cup is being played in Seattle. We better be playing in the party we are hosting...
No kidding Sounders. I won't have it any other way. You guys better be thinking the same thing with no obstruction to that thought.