Salt Lke Vs Minnesota

In the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs, Real Salt Lake (RSL) and Minnesota United prepare for an intense matchup on Tuesday at America First Field. This fixture, marking game one of their best-of-three series, follows a strong regular season for both clubs. RSL clinched third place in the Western Conference after a decisive 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, while the Loons ended their campaign with an impressive 4-1 win against St. Louis City, securing the sixth position in the standings.

After reaching their best regular-season finish since 2019, Real Salt Lake heads into the playoffs on a high. Under head coach Pablo Mastroeni, the team has sustained an impressive six-game unbeaten streak in MLS, including two consecutive one-goal victories. Their form at America First Field has been a significant advantage, with RSL securing 11 home wins this season and earning points in each of their last five home fixtures. This home-field strength is notable in the playoffs; RSL has remained unbeaten in playoff games at Sandy, Utah, since a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Seattle Sounders in the 2012 conference semifinals. A resilient squad, RSL has shown a strong capacity to rally, with five comeback wins during the season after conceding first, yielding a total of 15 points. Their historical dominance over Minnesota United at home also bodes well for their playoff ambitions, having never lost to the Loons on their own turf. The last face-off between the two teams at America First Field ended in a goalless draw earlier this month.

Minnesota United, led by Eric Ramsay, concluded their season with a late surge that secured their playoff return after missing out in 2023. The Loons are entering Tuesday’s game riding a five-game unbeaten streak in league play, winning four of those matches. A victory over RSL would tie their longest winning streak of the season. Minnesota's prowess as an away team has been evident throughout 2024; their eight road wins are the highest in the Western Conference, equaled only by Los Angeles FC. Since their 2-1 home loss to FC Cincinnati in mid-September, the Loons have avoided falling behind in any match, showcasing a newfound defensive resilience. Although Minnesota has experienced some challenges in the MLS Cup playoffs, with three consecutive post-season losses since their 2020 conference semifinal win over Sporting Kansas City, they remain a formidable side capable of disrupting opponents. This season, Minnesota secured three comeback victories and, after scoring first, only suffered one loss—a close 3-2 game against the Portland Timbers in June.

As these two teams prepare to meet in a crucial playoff opener, both will rely on the momentum of recent performances. RSL’s home-field advantage and Minnesota’s road strength set up an exciting clash, with each side aiming for early dominance in the series.