Real Salt Lake tasked with rotation, fitness against Saborio-led D.C. United

As we all sat through the last week and wondered who RSL was going to sign, it became increasingly easy to forget that there's a small case of a match today with which to contend.

In what's sure to be a great bit of fun and certainly won't be at all controversial, Real Salt Lake faces Alvaro Saborio's new side, D.C. United, and it looks likely that the Costa Rican will, in fact, be playing in that match.

Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, probably won't be giving Luis Silva time, as he's still on the mend from a string of injuries throughout the season. Still, he could see the bench, which would be, if we're honest, a surprise.

So what can we expect from the lineup? (And this is where it becomes a more traditional match preview, folks.)

Predicted lineup

Jeff Attinella — Wait, what? I'm serious? Well, maybe. Rimando's doubtful for the match with an "ACL contusion" or something of that sort, so I do suspect he'll be rested. Which is fine, really, but it's also not fine, because he played 45 minutes for the MLS All-Stars, knowing there was an issue. We're not mad — we're just disappointed. Unless he plays and is fine. (Seriously, Attinella would do just fine.)

Tony Beltran, Aaron Maund, Elias Vasquez, Abdoulie Mansally — No Chris Schuler, no Jamison Olave. Maybe Schuler's ready for this, though, and maybe he plays. It's tough to say. And while Demar Phillips might be good to start, Mansally deserves to keep his place.

Kyle Beckerman, Luke Mulholland, Javier Morales — If Beckerman plays and we win, can the chirping about the team being better without him come to a complete and utter close? Not only is it insulting to one of RSL's best players, it also ignores the fact that Mulholland has been doing his very best to emulate the play of the captain. He couldn't do it completely. Nobody can.

Joao Plata, Sebastian Jaime, Olmes Garcia — D.C. will actively play the ball, so a fast, fast, fast trio up top might be fun. But don't be surprised if Devon Sandoval starts in the middle again.

Unknowns: Will Jeff Cassar look to rotate a bit ahead of a tricky CCL tie against Municipal? Will Luis Silva start in a surprise move? Who's fit, and who's just playing?

Why watch?

If I had to convince you to watch this match in under 100 words, I'd probably say something like this:

Remember RSL's leading goalscorer, Alvaro Saborio? He's back — in black. Utah's own faces D.C. United at RFK Stadium tonight and the fiery striker will be on full display next to his old partner, Fabian Espindola. Watch as the Claret and Cobalt try to put together a proper defense against two in-form strikers — while trying to get Sebastian Jaime in good positions and on the scoresheet. If RSL wins, they could move into a playoff position, and they won't want to miss that opportunity.

How to watch

Real Salt Lake vs. DC United; 5 p.m. Mountain (7 p.m. Eastern)

RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.