Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City | MLS is Back Tournament, Group D

MLSsoccer staff

2020 MLS is Back Tournament – Group D, Matchday 15
Sporting Kansas City vs. Real Salt Lake
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Wed., July 22 – 9:00 AM ET

TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes; TSN in Canada

STREAMING: ESPN App in USA; TSN Appin Canada

One of Major League Soccer's sneaky good rivalries continues with Knockout Round places on the line when Sporting Kansas City meet Real Salt Lake in both teams' Group D finale Wednesday morning.

RSL top the group on goal differential and have already clinched a place in the Round of 16, while third-place SKC will secure their spot with a win or a draw. Both teams will also be eyeing top spot in the group, although they will have to wait and see how Minnesota United perform against Colorado Rapids later in the day before the final group placings are confirmed.

Real Salt Lake

While Real Salt Lake could only draw 0-0 draw against Minnesota United in Round 2, other results went their way on Tuesday to mean Freddy Juarez's team go into their final group game already assured of progress. The Claret-and-Cobalt's success so far has been built on a rock-solid defense that sees them as one of only two teams yet to concede a goal in the tournament. But they've struggled in the attacking third and that doesn't get any easier with the loss of Albert Rusnak to a hip injury.

Updated team roster

Injury Report:
- OUT: Christopher Garcia (M) - undisclosed
- OUT: David Ochoa (GK) - right thumb injury
- OUT: Albert Rusnak (M) - left hip injury
- UNAVAILABLE: Nedum Onuoha (D)
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None

Sporting Kansas City

Did the Soccer Gods shine down on Peter Vermes and SKC? Their wild 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids was certainly a role reversal from a Round 1 defeat to Minnesota United when Tim Melia's sending off changed the course of the match. Melia is back for this game, which should shore up a defense that has conceded four goals in Orlando. Going forward, SKC have looked impressive. Khiry Shelton has scored a goal in each game so far in Orlando to take his tally in 2020 to three, while big-money offseason recruit Alan Pulido continues to impress.

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Felipe Gutierrez (M) - knee surgery
- OUT: Andreu Fontas (D) - quad strain
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None