REAL SALT LAKE vs PHILADELPHIA UNION
RIO TINTO STADIUM, Sandy, Utah
March 14, 2015 (WEEK 2, MLS Game #13)
7:30 p.m. MT (KMYU-12; TCN-Phi)
A pair of clubs looking for a first goal of the new season meet when Real Salt Lake play host to Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real began their campaign on the road, reaching a scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers last Saturday evening. Union also kicked off the new year with a goalless result, playing the Colorado Rapids in their home opener at PPL Park.
• In their first match with a new 4-3-3 tactical scheme – a significant shift from the 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield they have featured for the past number of years – RSL reached a scoreless draw at the Portland Timbers to open the 2015 season.
• Union kept the Colorado Rapids without a single shot on target, but still settled for a scoreless draw in their season opener on Saturday afternoon at PPL Park.
• RSL has never lost to Union in seven meetings all-time. RSL has won twice in the series, the last coming in 2011, a 2-1 win at Rio Tinto Stadium.
• The teams have played to three consecutive draws over the last three seasons. The teams reached a 2-2 draw last April 12 at PPL Park – the fourth draw in as many matches in Chester.
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Corey Rockwell; AR2 (opposite): Mike Rottersman; 4th: Tyler Ploeger
MLS Career: 51 games; FC/gm: 22.5; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 12; pens: 19
SUSPENDED: none
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (7 meetings): Real 2 wins, 11 goals … Union 0 wins, 7 goals … Ties 5
AT SALT LAKE (3 meetings): Real 2 wins, 7 goals … Union 0 wins, 3 goals … Ties 1
LAST YEAR (MLS):
4/12: PHI 2, RSL 2 (Wenger 55; Edu 90 – Mulholland 6; Beckerman 85)
• This is the only league meeting between the teams this season.
• Real have never lost to Union in seven meetings all-time. Real have won twice in the series, the last coming in 2011, a 2-1 win at Rio Tinto Stadium.
• The teams have played to three consecutive draws, over the last three seasons. The teams reached a 2-2 draw last April 12 at PPL Park – the fourth draw in as many matches in Chester.
• Coaches record: Jim Curtin vs. RSL: first game … Jeff Cassar vs. PHI: P1 W0 L0 D1
CHECK OUT THE INJURY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH
Philadelphia's C.J. Sapong diagnosed with concussion, Zygomatic fracture
