The Sounders are set to begin their demanding series of away games with a tough clash against Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. PT. This Real Salt Lake match follows their strong 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in their home opener.
Coach Schmetzer Comments on RSL’s Resilience
Head Coach Brian Schmetzer noted the quality of Real Salt Lake’s team despite recent injuries and lineup changes.
“It’s cyclical. They’re a good squad,”
Schmetzer said.
“They’ve got some injuries, and they played a lot of Academy kids against Vancouver, and they still look good. So regardless of who they’ve put on the field, it’s always a challenging place to play.”
Historical Challenges Playing at High Altitude
Since joining MLS in 2009, the Sounders have found it difficult to secure victories at Real Salt Lake’s home, with their last road win against RSL coming in 2011. Schmetzer explained part of the difficulty stems from the altitude and the narrow playing field, impacting the team’s usual possession style and mental focus.
“We’ve always struggled there with our possession a little bit,”
he said.
“Altitude has some minor effect on the psyche of the players. I don’t think it’s so much a physical deal, but it’s mentally in their head sometimes.”
Looking Ahead to the Road Stretch
The upcoming game at America First Field will test the Sounders’ resilience and adaptability earlier in a demanding road schedule. How they respond to the unique challenges at Utah will shape their momentum moving forward, making this Real Salt Lake match a critical early season hurdle.
