If Real Salt Lake beats or ties the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night, then they will officially be in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. The question isn't will RSL make the playoffs, the question is when. There is a very strong chance it will happen tomorrow night.
Real Salt Lake has Alvaro Saborio back form injury, the team's goal leader Joao Plata, Devon Sandoval, Olmes Garcia, new forward Sebastian Jaime, and Robbie Findley all ready to start at the forward position. Who Jeff Cassar starts will be a tough question.
In RSL's 5-1 beating of rivals Colorado Rapids, Cassar started Joao Plata and Sebastian Jaime. The pairing did not disappoint. Joao Plata scored once, and caused an own goal while Sebastian Jaime was in all of the right places in the right times. He also showed off his ball holding skills, many times burning the Colorado defense. He was in a great position to score off of a corner kick, that Javier Morales ended scoring off of. Major League Soccer had to make a ruling that Morales scored.
While RSL is in 3rd place in the West, and can clinch a playoff spot, Vancouver will have to fight to get theirs. They are two points behind the Portland Timbers, and need a win and a Portland draw to rise above the red line in the standings.
Both teams are 0-0-2 this year against each other, tying both times the teams have met. What will the outcome be this time? Will RSL win? Will Vancouver win?
Real Salt Lake may have more confidence after scoring five goals in their last match, and may come out with a fire against Vancouver. The Whitecaps will have to do everything in their power to slow down RSL's potent attack. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET.