Three things to watch for against Atlanta Silverbacks: Winning before extra time and questions around starters

What we've been watching for

Will Jeff Cassar deploy another 4-5-1 (or, if you will, a 4-2-3-1)?

Well, no. But on the back of last week's loss to Portland, it couldn't have been significantly worse.

Can we slow the game when we need to?

That wasn't particularly our problem against Portland — this time it was about set pieces and counter attacks. Changing the pace of the game doesn't really play into this in the same way.

Can we keep our good run of form against Portland going?

Sigh.

What to watch for this week

Can we beat a lower league side without having to hit extra time?

We'd really like it to be the case this time, what with a World Cup match to watch directly after. It would be awfully nice to be able to defeat these extra-motivated opponents without having to hit 120 minutes.

Who starts for our first (and potentially only) US Open Cup match of the year?

We can't just throw caution to the wind and start whoever we please. It does look like Sebastian Velasquez will be involved, and that's a change of note. Will Devon Sandoval continue to impress in the US Open Cup? Who will be key for us? We don't have Khari Stephenson to score the last goal tonight, so somebody will have to. Or can we bring him in on loan?

Will Lalo Fernandez start his first-ever match for Real Salt Lake?

We've been waiting ages for our third-choice goalkeeper to get a start — will today present him with that opportunity? Given Jeff Attinella is currently operating as our first-choice with Nick Rimando in Brazil, maybe there's an argument there, given it's not unusual to start your second-choice in cups.