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SANDY — Although four Real Salt Lake players were occupied in an international friendly against Mexico Wednesday night, they’re expected to be ready to go Saturday against budding rival Sporting Kansas City.
Nick Rimando started in net for the U.S. Men’s National Team in a 2-2 tie against El Tri, while Kyle Beckerman and Tony Beltran started at midfield and defender, respectively.
Luis Gil was an unused reserve, but the four members of the Claret-and-Cobalt representing the U.S. were two more than any other Major League Soccer club.
And while it’s easy for any USMNT player to get up for a game against Wednesday’s opponent from south of the border, it won’t take any extra motivation to come out aggressively in Saturday’s 2013 MLS Cup rematch.
However, SKC midfielder Dom Dwyer added fuel to the fire saying, “I hate (RSL) very much” on Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City last week.
RSL defender Nat Borchers was delighted with Dwyer’s remarks.
I like the talk. I like when teams don't like each other. And we don't like Kansas City just as much as they don't like us.
–Nat Borchers
“I like the talk,” he told reporters Tuesday. “I like when teams don't like each other. And we don't like Kansas City just as much as they don't like us.”
The chatter leading up to the fixture is one thing, but the last time these two teams met it took 120 grueling minutes and 20 penalty kicks to determine who was best.
And prior to that, the 2013 regular-season contest between the two turned into a foul-ridden match that featured seven yellow cards – none of which had a bigger impact than Chris Wingert’s second in the 66th minute, resulting in his send off.
Both teams currently sit in second place in their respective conferences, and have shown staying power despite a reluctance to follow the recent trend of throwing around stacks of cash to sign talented players from European clubs.
RSL will likely be missing some of the key components to its title-game run a season ago in its chance at revenge.
Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez trained with the team Tuesday, but his status is uncertain with a nagging hamstring injury. Wingert exited last week’s 3-0 romp over Toronto FC with a groin injury, and it is almost a sure bet to keep him from seeing action in Kansas.
RSL head coach Jeff Cassar will almost definitely be able to count on forward Devon Sandoval, who managed to see the field for the first time since his offseason foot surgery by logging six-plus minutes against Toronto.
Sandoval provides a needed boost to an attack decimated by the unavailability of Robbie Findley (knee) and Joao Plata (hamstring). Jordan Allen (ankle) also practiced this week and should be able to go Saturday.
RSL is 3-5-8 all-time versus SKC. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MDT.
