Real Salt Lake will host Sporting Kansas City at Rio Tinto Stadium on Friday night, as this bitter rivalry continues to flourish.  This is the third regular season meeting for the clubs this year before a fourth in U.S. Open Cup play on August 12th, which will be played at Sporting Park

Previous Meetings

In their last five matches, these two teams have not been separated by more than a single goal. These two teams played to a nil-nil draw early in the season, but it was Real Salt Lake who walked away with the victory in Sandy, Utah just last month.

Budding Rivalry

The close matches between these two clubs are known for their physicality and intense action.  With lots of fouls and plenty of cards, this series is never short on highlight reel plays.  Even the red cards flow in this series.  Over the last six games, including preseason, there have been three red cards. The series ramped up a notch in 2013 when these sides met in the MLS Cup Final.  Questionable calls, frigid temperatures, and 10 rounds of a penalty kick shootout are enough to make any two teams hate each other. Sporting walked away victorious, but RSL were unlucky not to receive a point.

Real Salt Lake Notable Absences

Jamison Olave is still out with a quadriceps injury. His absence will be sorely missed as RSL prepares for the talented SKC offense.  Jordan Allen and newcomer Luis Silva are also questionable for the match.

Kyle Beckerman will not be present as he finishes up Gold Cup play on Saturday. 

Sporting Kansas City Notable Absences

Ike Opara's ruptured Achilles has him out for the season. Jalil Anibaba, Bernardo Anor, and Seth Sinovic are all questionable as they recover from nagging injuries.

Graham Zusi is still unavailable with the USMNT .

Potential Real Salt Lake Lineup

Rimando

Beltran - Maund - Glad - Mansally

Stertzer - Mullholland

Garcia - Morales - Plata

Sandoval

Potential Sporting Kansas City Lineup

Melia

Dia - Ellis - Besler - de Jong

Feilhaber - Mustivar - Espinoza

Nemeth - Dwyer - Peterson

Keys to Victory

Real Salt Lake: Keep up the defensive pressure.  Salt Lake got the victory in the last meeting largely because they interrupted the Sporting KC offense. Another such performance will go a long way toward victory.

Sporting Kansas City: Avoid turnovers.  Sporting KC is on their third game in seven days and the previous two have been sloppy at best.  With tired legs, they can easily beat themselves with sloppy play.

Real Salt Lake: Play physical.  The way Real keeps in these meetings is with their physical play and this year Kansas City is prone to making mistakes as games get heated.

Sporting Kansas City: Make the most of the chances given.  Tired legs are going to be a factor and chances may be hard to come by.  They will need to capitalize when given the chance.

Real Salt Lake: Contain Benny Feilhaber.  Feilhaber is having a career year as he picks apart opponents. Shutting him down is a must for RSL, especially with Olave out.

Both: Defend set pieces.  With the always close and usually low score affairs, whoever makes the first costly mistake may not survive. 

Match Outlook

Real Salt Lake has bunkered in for the last two meetings and it has paid off for them.  Four points in a home-and-home series so far is more than acceptable against a team with high aspirations of winning the Supporter's Shield. Another physical and defense game will leave them in prime position to get the win.

For Sporting Kansas City, this will be a real test. The league's points per game leaders are hitting the harder stretch of their schedule.  Long balls over the top and run outs by Dwyer and Nemeth will be likely avenues of attack.

Real Salt Lake will look to shutout the visitors and control Feilhaber in the middle. Sporting will need a near perfect game to break down the home side given the situation. This one comes down to who puts away their chances, but with two outstanding goalkeepers, that won't be easy.

Prediction: 0-0 Draw

Match Facts

The game will be played at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah Friday night at 11:00PM ET. Allen Chapman will call the game with the assistance of Paul Scott and Chris Stickland. Kevin Stott will be between the benches as the fourth official.