Real Salt Lake v. Minnesota United FC Betting Preview
The two teams atop Group D go head-to-head on Friday as Minnesota United face Real Salt Lake in the MLS is Back Tournament at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. If the Friday game between Colorado and Sporting KC ends in a draw then the winner of this game would book passage into the knockout round. Either way, a positive result from this game puts either team in a great spot in Group D.
Last season the Western Conference rivals met twice in the regular season with Minnesota winning at home 3-1 after a 1-1 draw in Utah two months earlier. The 2018 season saw Minnesota United win 3-2 at home and again a 1-1 draw in Utah. The lone win for RSL in the series came in Minnesota’s expansion 2017 season with a 1-0 home win while MUNFC won at home 4-2 earlier that season.
Real Salt Lake Outlook: Charge Forward
Real Salt Lake had a great start to the tournament as they picked up their first 2020 win with a 2-0 victory over Colorado Rapids on Sunday night. Albert Rusnak scored the opener in the 27th minute but had his penalty kick saved in the 72nd minute. Four minutes later Damir Kreilach finished off Rapids with a goal and Zac MacMath earned the clean sheet with four saves.
The Claret and Cobalt entered the tournament with draws in both of their pre-COVID games. They played a scoreless contest in Orlando February 29 and drew 1-1 at home against NYRB March 7. Kreilach scored the goal against New York while MacMath has now tallied eight saves and two clean sheets in 2020.
Real Salt Lake had a fantastic 2019 season with a third place regular season finish in the Western Conference. They beat Portland 2-1 in the Quarterfinals before falling to Seattle 2-0 in the Conference Semifinals. Rusnak led the team with 10 goals while keeper Nick Rimando recorded 10 clean sheets before retiring from MLS.
Minnesota United FC Outlook: Ride the Momentum
After having a brilliant start to the season pre-COVID, Minnesota United was on the brink of disaster in the group opening game Sunday as they trailed Sporting KC 1-0 after 90 minutes. But a Sporting KC own goal tied the game in the second minute of added time and Kevin Molino beat back-up goalie Richard Sanchez five minutes later to get the Loons all three points. Minnesota had under 40% of the possession on the game and put just two shots on goal in the contest.
The Loons got off to a great start under head coach Adrian Heath in March with 3-1 and 5-2 road wins in Portland and San Jose. Molino leads the team with three goals while both Ike Opara and Luis Amarilla have scored twice this season. Goalie Tyler Miller has allowed four goals in the three wins while amassing eight saves.
Last season Minnesota finished fourth in the Western Conference as they won 10 home games but just five on the road before losing 2-1 at home to LA Galaxy in the playoffs. Darwin Quintero, traded to Houston in the off-season, led the team with 10 goals while Jan Gregus had nine assists. Goalkeeper Vito Mannone had 11 clean sheets but returned to Reading when his loan ended and the Loons acquired Miller from LAFC.
Real Salt Lake/Minnesota United Betting Lines
Minnesota United +125 to win
Real Salt Lake +179 to win
Draw +259
Over/Under 3 goals (O -109, U -120)
The winner of this game takes complete control of Group D with one game remaining next week. No team has scored more goals in three games than the 10 bagged by Minnesota United and if Real Salt Lake can keep the pressure on in the box like they did against Colorado Rapids, the over is the play here.
Head to A1PPH.com and take the over 3 goals (-109)