The fun thing about group play like you get with the World Cup or Champions League play is when two unbeaten teams go head-to-head with the top spot on the line. That’s what we get Friday in Group D when Minnesota United play Real Salt Lake in the MLS Is Back Tournament.
The winner of this game advances to the knockout round automatically if Friday’s other Group D game between Sporting KC and Colorado ends in a draw.
In 2019, Minnesota United and Real Salt Lake drew 1-1 in Utah in their first matchup, while Minnesota won at home 3-1 two months later. The 2018 results were similar, with a 1-1 draw in Utah and a Minnesota 3-2 win at home. Real Salt Lake’s lone win over MUNFC was a 1-0 home win in 2017 as they beat the then expansion side.
Real Salt Lake Outlook: Lockdown Defense
Real Salt Lake didn’t have a win before the COVID break, but they shut out Colorado Rapids 2-0 on Sunday night. Albert Rusnak found the back of the net in the 27th minute and had a chance to double the lead in the second half but couldn’t convert a penalty kick.
The game was still in the balance when Damir Kreilach scored in the 76th minute to secure all three points.
Last year’s Western Conference semifinalists, Real Salt Lake struggled early in the season. They drew 0-0 in Orlando Feb. 29 and drew 1-1 at home a week later against New York Red Bulls. Kreilach scored the goal against New York while Zach MacMath has now tallied eight saves and two clean sheets in 2020.
Minnesota United FC Outlook: Keep the Magic Going
Minnesota United was brilliant at the start of the season but struggled for nearly 90 minutes in the group opener against Sporting KC. They escaped with a 2-0 win after KC’s keeper got a red card and an own goal gave the Loons a lifeline in added time.
Kevin Molino secured all three points with a little magic five minutes later as the Loons won 2-1 despite having under 40% of possession and just two shots on goal.
Minnesota United scored an MLS-best eight goals in their two games before the COVID break. They beat Portland 3-1 and San Jose 5-2, both on the road, to share top honors in the Western Conference.
Molino has a team-best three goals, while Luis Amarilla and Ike Opara have two goals each.
Real Salt Lake/Minnesota United Betting Lines
- Minnesota United +125 to win
- Real Salt Lake +179 to win
- Draw +259
- Over/Under 3 goals (O -109, U -120)
The group is on the line in this one with Real Salt Lake facing Sporting KC, and Minnesota United play Colorado Rapids in the group finale. Minnesota has 10 goals on the season, and Real Salt Lake will need to match their explosiveness and lock down the Loons on defense to have a chance at all three points and a spot in the knockout round.
FREE PICK: Minnesota United to win (+125)
