DC United vs. Real Salt Lake | 2017 MLS Match Preview

Ian Nicholas Quillen

D.C. United vs. Real Salt Lake
2017 MLS Match Preview
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
Saturday, August 12 – 7 pm ET
WATCH: MLS LIVE

As tough as D.C. United's season has been, they might take a look at Real Salt Lake's recent run as a cautionary tale of what not to do next.

While the Black-and-Red considered a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC as a sign of improvement, with five of their next seven at home, they must win most of those at RFK Stadium to salvage anything from this disappointing season.

Meanwhile, the Claret-and-Cobalt flubbed a chance to rejuvenate theirs with three straight home ties -- including a 0-0 draw against the 10-man Houston Dynamo last Saturday -- before making their last visit to a ground that has been a house of horrors for them.

D.C. United

Suspended: Lloyd Sam (red card)
International Duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: M Rob Vincent (left knee meniscus), M Ian Harkes (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: M Patrick Nyarko (concussion)

Projected Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): Bill Hamid – Taylor Kemp, Kofi Opare, Steve Birnbaum, Sean Franklin – Jared Jeffrey, Marcelo Sarvas – Nick DeLeon, Luciano Acosta, Julian Buescher – Deshorn Brown

Notes: D.C. United has been shut out at home six times this season, the most of any team in the league. Only two other teams have been shutout at home more than three times, LA (5) and Minnesota (4)

Real Salt Lake

Suspended: None
International Duty: None
Injuries: OUT: F - Chad Barrett (knee surgery, 4-6 months); M - Jordan Allen (knee surgery 6/30, 6-7 months) - READ; M - Omar Holness (knee surgery 7/18, out 8-12 months); M - Ricardo Velazco (ankle surgery 7/13, out 4 months); GK - Matt VanOekel (ankle injury) D - Demar Phillips (hamstring injury)

Projected Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): Nick Rimando – Chris Wingert, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Tony Beltran – Sunny, Kyle Beckerman – Joao Plata, Albert Rusnak, Jefferson Savarino – Luis Silva

Notes: Real Salt Lake have only scored three goals in the opening half hour of league matches so far this year, the lowest total in MLS.

All-time record

Real Salt Lake's last visit to RFK Stadium was a 6-4 defeat that holds the record for most total goals scored in a league match since 2010.

Overall: D.C. United 7 wins (31 goals) ... Real Salt Lake 7 wins (29 goals) ... 5 draws
In Washington: D.C. United 6 wins (23 goals) ... Real Salt lake 0 wins (9 goals) ... 3 draws

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