What to watch: Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Real Salt Lake faces a conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps tonight on the road, and they'll be hoping to put things right after a shocking 6-4 loss to D.C. United last week.

How, you might ask? I don't really know, but here are three things we'll be looking for the team to do when the match kicks off.

Don't let Kah score two goals

This is a lesson we can easily take away from Seattle Sounders' 3-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday: If you let Kah score two goals, you'll find yourself in a heap of trouble. That's true of any player, but especially when it's a defender.

Kah is sort of a weird villain in this league, but that seems to have dissipated since the halcyon days of 17 consecutive Real Salt Lake - Portland matchups in 2013.

The real lesson here: Be assertive on set pieces. And if you're thinking this is about headers, let's step back: Both of those Kah goals from set pieces were scored with his feet. First a volley, then a flick — the problem was not attacking set pieces. Also, be aware of short corners. Really.

Capitalize on chances created

RSL hasn't had too much problem creating chances — they've probably had more problems finishing them more than anything. (Or defending them, but yeah.) It's not like Vancouver won't give up chances — RSL has to be prepared to take advantage of everything given to them. Javier Morales will ply his trade as he always does, and RSL has to take the opportunities as they come.

Oh, and don't forget to defend well. That would help.

Get a positive impact from Luis Gil

Luis Gil has not had the season of his life — I don't think there's any controversy there. He's had a positive impact a few times, though, and it would be helpful to see that again. But after the last few weeks, he might not even play.

After his performance against D.C. United, apparently Jeff Cassar was perturbed enough by his lack of intensity that he didn't even sit him on the bench against Municipal.

Perhaps telling: Silva came off the bench against Municipal. Don't be surprised if we get another look at him today.