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Major League Soccer

Jul 16, 2023 at 2.30am UK

Rio Tinto Stadium

Salt Lake
3 - 1
NY Red Bulls

Luna (2', 53'), Savarino (81')
Brody (83'), Vera (84'), Julio (90')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Amaya (80')
Tolkin (55')

Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. New York Red Bulls - prediction, team news, lineups

By Jonny Webb | 13 July 2023

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Real Salt Lake are looking to extend their unbeaten run in Major League Soccer to nine games when they welcome New York Red Bulls to America First Field on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will look to break into the top nine of the Eastern Conference here with a victory after suffering a defeat against FC Cincinnati in midweek.

Match preview

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni looks on June 24, 2023 © Reuters

Real Salt Lake made a very poor start to the season, losing five of their opening seven games, but they have since gone on to emerge as real contenders near the top of the table.

Following their 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City in midweek, RSL are now unbeaten in eight games in the league, winning four of their last six games to leave themselves fourth in the Western Conference on 34 points, four points behind St Louis City in top spot.

Pablo Mastroeni's side still have some work to do defensively, having conceded 33 goals so far this season, the joint-second highest figure in the Western Conference, but they have started to make some huge strides in that regard.

Salt Lake have kept clean sheets in two of their past three matches, winning their most recent home match 4-0 against Orlando City, with four different goal scorers getting on the scoresheet.

New York Red Bulls forward Cameron Harper (17) celebrates his goal with teammates on June 21, 2023 © Reuters

After finishing fourth in last season's MLS Eastern Conference, before their campaign ended in playoff defeat to FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls have certainly had a tougher time this time around, as they currently sit 10th after 22 matches with just 26 points on the board.

A 93rd-minute strike from Obinna Nwobodo denied the Red Bulls a point in midweek, after Omir Fernandez opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Luciano Acosta wasted no time in handing his teammates a lifeline as he equalized from the spot in the 80th minute.

After picking up four points from the following four games under their new boss Troy Lesesne, the Red Bulls now head into this weekend's match having won two of their last four games, starting with a 4-0 demolition of Atlanta United, followed by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Columbus Crew, before enjoying a 2-1 triumph over New England Revolution prior to the aforementioned loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday.

However, NYRB have scored the fewest amount of goals (21) of any MLS in the top 10 of the Eastern Conference, and their record away from home makes for grim reading - they have only managed to win one of their 10 away games, amassing just seven points on the road this term.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:

New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach (8) celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal on June 21, 2023 © Reuters

Real Salt Lake have some notable absentees, with Zack Farnsworth and Erik Holt both missing due to long-term issues.

Anderson Julio has netted in each of his last three games off the bench, so he could be rewarded with a start on the right flank for RSL here.

As for the visitors, Sean Nealis and Andres Reyes have been mainstays in defence this season and will continue their partnership at the heart of a back four, while Daniel Edelman should feature in the engine room.

Carlos Coronel has played every minute for New York so far in the league, so he will retain his place between the sticks for this game.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Eneli, Glad, Vera, Brody; Julio, Ojeda, Ruiz, Luna; Arango, Kreilach

New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Carlos; Harper, Reyes, Nealis, Duncan; Edelman, Amaya; Mosso, Luquinhas; Vanzeir, Barlow

SM words green background

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-0 New York Red Bulls

With Real Salt Lake in excellent form, it is hard to back against them here, especially given New York's troubles on the road.

Salt Lake have won four of their last six matches, so we expect them to keep their unbeaten run alive here and take all three points.

How to watch

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For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.