Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker:
In what could prove to be an enjoyable affair from America First Field in the early hours of Sunday, Real Salt Lake will welcome Orlando to town.
Real Salt Lake
Starting with the hosts, while Real Salt Lake might have failed to find much stability when opening the 2023 campaign, Pablo Mastroeni’s men have come roaring back in some style. Only continuing to shine on either side of June’s international break, the Claret and Cobalt have skyrocketed up the Western Conference standings and now find themselves sat in pole position to clinch another top-six finish. With the mood around America First Field at a real high, RSL are unbeaten in their last seven straight domestic appearances across all competitions a run that stems back to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of LA Galaxy on May 31st. With their extended flurry highlighted by a 3-1 romp away at St. Louis last month, Mastroeni’s side have also found a real clinical edge in the final third.
Team News
All still dealing with long-term injury issues, Real Salt Lake will once again be without the trio of Axel Kei, Erik Holt and Zackery Farnsworth here.
Coming off the bench and bagging the winter away at Toronto last weekend, 27-year-old Anderson Julio Santos could replace Jasper Loffelsend. Likewise, despite dealing with a minor knock on either side of June’s international break, ex-Everton man Bryan Oviedo could make a full return in the early hours of Sunday.
Orlando City
As for the visitors, putting in another rampant display earlier in the week as they cruised their way to a stellar 4-0 romp at home against Toronto, Orlando are in the midst of their own extended flurry. Along with opening July with an action-packed 3-1 win against Chicago, Oscar Pareja’s men have suffered just a single defeat from any of their last 11 straight domestic appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to May 9th. Notching seven strikes in their back-to-back MLS victories over the past week, the Purples are sat in pole position to claim another play-off ticket in the Eastern Conference. Looking to make another statement here, Pareja’s side have also continued to shine with their rugged performances on the road. Including a 3-1 victory against Inter Miami on May 20th, Orlando have lost just one of their previous five showdowns outside of Florida.
Team News
Orlando will travel to America First Field without the trio of Gaston Gonzalez, Adam Grinwis and Abdi Salim. Likewise, picking up a knock earlier in the month and missing Orlando’s back-to-back victories, Pareja’s side are sweating over the fitness of 20-year-old Michael Halliday.
Once again finding the net against Toronto earlier in the week and now notching three goals in his previous five domestic appearances, Duncan McGuire should spearhead Orlando’s attack here.
Key Factors to Consider
