What we’re watching in Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers

RSL wrap up a busy week with a home game against the Timbers

Lucas Muller | Wasatch Soccer Sentinel

September 21, 2024

After a home win over FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake have surged into 2nd place in the western conference. The Portland Timbers had a rough start to the season, but they’ve since improved greatly under Phil Neville. RSL remain 7 points ahead of 8th place Portland, but as we head into the final stretch of the regular season, RSL has to win these home games.

What to do with Julio and Chico

Real were without their marquee striker in Chicho Arango against Houston on Wednesday. Chicho missed that game through yellow card accumulation, therefore Anderson Julio started in his place. Julio scored an incredible brace, with both goals highlighting a completely different skillset. Julio made “team of the match day” for his contributions, and without those goals, RSL would have lost the game.

Chicho is RSL’s best player, but he’s in a poor run of form, having scored just 1 goal over his last 9 games. Anderson has scored 4 goals in that time. The question for tonight’s match is if Julio’s Wednesday performance and Chicho’s form means Arango will be benched. We could see Anderson on the wing, or Pablo may change the formation entirely and go with 2 up top.