SANDY — San Jose sits 1 point ahead of Real Salt Lake heading into Wednesday’s midweek tilt at Rio Tinto Stadium, and the slim difference between the two teams in the razor-thin battle for playoff seeding realistically comes down to one mental error back on July 6.
That match two months ago was scoreless through 90 minutes, but in the third minute of stoppage time RSL reacted slowly to a San Jose short corner kick and it punished the unorganized visitors with the late winner.
Real Salt Lake will try and return the favor this Wednesday in a critical match for both teams as they jockey for playoff seeding — specifically a top-four finish in the West to guarantee a home playoff game. With six games remaining in the regular season, San Jose occupies the fourth seed while RSL sits in fifth.
With just 4 points separating second and eighth place in the West, points are at an absolute premium for everyone.
RSL defender Justen Glad doesn’t expect Wednesday’s game to take on the same defensive posture as the previous meeting with San Jose.
“Obviously we’re at home and whenever we’re at home, we want to go forward and we want to create goal-scoring opportunities, so I think it will be more attacking than last game for sure,” said Glad.
Two months ago both teams went into their weekend game having played three days earlier and there was obvious fatigue. This time around, both teams have had 10 days rest as they had a bye through the FIFA international window.
Unfortunately for RSL, that window ends on Tuesday and will greatly limit the coaching staff’s lineup choices.
Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela) and Corey Baird (United States) are both with their respective national teams for their Tuesday international friendlies — both to be played on U.S. soil.
Albert Rusnak played a Euro qualifying match with Slovakia in Hungary on Monday and seems highly unlikely to play after a full day of travel on Tuesday, particularly with another RSL game this weekend at Minnesota.
Sam Johnson’s availability also seems unlikely as he played a World Cup qualifier in Africa on Sunday and helped his native Liberia advance through the first phase of qualifying.
Rusnak and Johnson are tied for the team lead with nine goals, while Savarino is third with seven goals and Baird is tied for fourth with four goals.
Without four of RSL’s top five attacking options, interim coach Freddy Juarez will have his hands full trotting out a team that can test San Jose’s backline.
“Same style of play, you hope there’s an excitement for the player that does get the opportunity and the want to prove something and they’re eager to help the team,” said Juarez.
Damir Kreilach will almost definitely start at attacking midfield in Rusnak’s primary position. As for the three forwards, Juarez’s options include Joao Plata, Brooks Lennon, Tate Schmitt, Sebastian Saucedo, Luis Arriaga, Julian Vazquez and Douglas Martinez.
San Jose’s defense ranks in the middle of the pack in goals allowed this year, so RSL should be able to create opportunities, but will anybody be able to finish them?