D.C. United vs. Real Salt Lake staff and reader predictions

D.C. United have had two weeks to rest following their disappointing showing in Philadelphia back in April. So, you know, normally we would all hope that the team has taken this time to regroup and will come out fighting against Real Salt Lake.

But this is DCU, so we’re pessimistic. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Look, maybe things will go great! Maybe the Black-and-Red will surprise us. This is MLS, after all, and nutso things happen all the time.

Still, though...we’re pessimistic. Here’s what we’re predicting:

Donald Wine II

It’s a long road trip to Utah for the Black-and-Red, but after two weeks off, they will hopefully be rested and ready to give their all for 90. Where are the goals coming from in this match? Honestly, I don’t think there are any. A few good chances on both sides, but this one’s ending in a scoreless draw.

Adam Taylor

RSL are bad right now. This is a game that D.C. United should win, and if we were coming off of anything other than the unmitigated disaster in Chester, I might even predict one—altitude and recent history at Rio Tinto Stadium notwithstanding. But, we aren’t. So a draw it will be. RSL win a penalty early and convert it, but United get on terms quickly through another goal created by the high press. This time it’s Ulises Segura feeding Lucho Acosta to set up Yamil Asad. Darren Mattocks turns in a corner kick to put the visitors ahead before halftime, but United fades late and allows the hosts a soft equalizer and los Capitalinos settle for 2-2.

BlasianSays

Real Salt Lake have just three wins all season, but all three of those have come in their four home matches thus far. That doesn’t bode well for a D.C. team that has just one road point, and that came in the season opener at Orlando. United are fully rested, again, after having two weeks between games, again. I’d love to predict a draw for DCU, but I have a feeling it will be a Joao Plata goal that gives RSL a 1-0 win.

Ryan Keefer

So I thought that D.C. going up to Philly would (and should) have been a no-brainer in points, then they laid a stinker. So the third-worst scoring offense (DCU) is going to play the worst defense (RSL) in the League? D.C. HAS to score at least one, right?

Nope. 2-0 RSL with goals from Albert Rusnak (from a PK) and Jefferson Savarino.

Jason Anderson

RSL has been able to get wins at home this season, even if beating NYRB’s reserves, Vancouver, and Colorado is hardly impressive. United, meanwhile, has gone 0W-2D-7L in league play in Utah since their first visit saw them win 5-1 (this lack of success makes the 2013 US Open Cup even more impossible, as if it needed the help). So that’s the bad news...well, that and United’s awful showing against Philly the last time we saw them. The good news? RSL’s current back four looks extremely vulnerable, as it features deep-roster back-ups, a winger, and Justen Glad.

I think we’ll see an open first half that ends with goals from Corey Baird and Darren Mattocks. However, playing at RSL means dealing with elevation, and eventually a spirited, back-and-forth game gives way to RSL turning the screws. Eventually, the pressure pays off with an Albert Rusnak goal. 2-1 RSL.

Leanne Elston

Oh, I dunno, you guys. 1-1? Somehow a draw feels right. But it won’t be an exciting one and DCU will be lucky to escape with the point.

Are you feeling more optimistic about tomorrow’s game? Share your prediction in the comments, but not before you take this week’s silly poll!