By Michael House – LA Soccer Press /
Location: Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT
Date: Saturday, July 3 – 7:00 PM PST
How to Watch: ESPN+
Black & Gold Report
LAFC are in desperate need of a win. They have yet to string together back-to-back wins, and they sit outside of the playoff picture. A win in Utah would take them back into a playoff spot.
In the Black & Gold’s match last week, their early fortune turned sour when Tristan Blackmon was shown a straight red. They conceded two second-half goals and lost to Sporting Kansas City.
LAFC Team News
LA continues to be without Erik Duenas and Kwadwo Opoku who are still nursing injuries. … Tristan Blackmon will also miss this match after being sent off last week, against Kansas City.
LAFC Recent Form: W/L/D/W/L
LAFC Predicted Lineup: Romero (GK); Kim, Murillo, Segura, Farfan; Blessing, Atuesta, Cifuentes; Vela, Rossi, Musovski
Claret and Cobalt Team Report
Real Salt Lake were unlucky to miss out on the MLS Playoffs last season, but are expected to return to the promised land this season. They have struggled this season, especially in escaping draws, but they only sit one spot out of a playoff position.
The Claret and Cobalt are only one point ahead of Los Angeles FC, but they do have one game in hand. They will look to take advantage of a struggling LA side.
Real Salt Lake Team News
Salt Lake has no injuries heading into this match.
Real Salt Lake Recent form: D/D/W/L/D
Real Salt Lake Predicted Lineup: Ochoa (GK); Herrera, Holt, Glad, Toia; Ruiz, Besler; Chang, Kreilach, Rusnak; Rubin
Predicted Score: LAFC 1-0 Real Salt Lake
Match Odds (via Yahoo Sportsbook):
LAFC +120
Draw +270
Real Salt Lake +180