The Real Questions: April 11, 2019

Real Salt Lake: What will the RSL backline look like this weekend?

This weekend, Real Salt Lake returns home to play against Orlando City SC, but who will be on the backline is finally, back to more or less normal.

After Justen Glad’s return to action last weekend with the Real Monarchs, there is a possibility we could see him back in action. It is likely that Aaron Herrera, Brooks Lennon, and Nedum Onuoha will continue to hold down the backline, but whether we will see Justen Glad or Marcelo Silva alongside them is what will be interesting to see.

Obviously, only Mike Petke and company can truly answer that question, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Glad back out there. After subbing Silva out at the end of the match versus Seattle, he could have perhaps picked up another knock. Glad looked sharp with the Monarchs and played 60 minutes with them. Though we don’t know for sure if he’s 90-minutes fit, a match against a manageable Orlando City SC might be an excellent opportunity to ease Glad back into MLS action.

Utah Royals FC: Does URFC have an advantage because they don’t have to play this weekend?

Although in the long haul it’s likely not going to be a season-changing bye week, it could be helpful. Having a bye the first week isn’t necessarily when you’d want it, it’d be preferred after four games in two weeks but this bye week the first week gives URFC a lot of time to prepare for their season opener.

They’ll be keeping an extra close eye on the Washington Spirit match this weekend, and if they can start this season out with a win at home, it can potentially spiral an excellent thing. Last year URFC started with a tie and then a loss at home, and never really got into consistent winning ways. Maybe if they can start with a win this season, things could go better for them as a whole.

Real Monarchs SLC: What is it going to take to get a result in New Mexico?

New Mexico is the new guys in the USL this year, but in addition to that, they’re undefeated in their first six matches. Lead by former RSL man Devon Sandoval, a result in New Mexico will be tough but not impossible. After the Monarchs dominating performance at home last week, they have a good shot.

This team has struggled a little bit on the road this season, but if they can continue the goalscoring ways they’ve had of late, they should be pretty set. RMSLC seems to have their defensive shape pretty consistently this season; it’s going to take alert goalscorers to get a result this week. New Mexico has given up eight goals this year, in comparison to RMSLC’s three so it’s not impossible to get a result here.