Pablo Mastroeni admitted there have been challenges that got here with Actual Salt Lake’s rocky begin in MLS however is hoping to regular the group in opposition to Nashville SC on Saturday.
Actual Salt Lake sit tenth within the Western Convention after seven matches this season, having received three and misplaced 4 of their matches to date.
After struggling back-to-back defeats to FC Dallas and Minnesota United, RSL bought again to successful methods with a 2-0 victory in opposition to struggling LA Galaxy final outing.
And Mastroeni admitted he was wanting ahead to discovering a stability that might maintain morale up.
“It’s tough to search out an equilibrium within the group while you’re not getting outcomes,” he informed KSL Sports activities Zone.
“Clearly, while you do get a end result, the murmurings cease, so then it’s about the way you proceed on and construct on that sport. You’ve bought to double down.
“It’s an ideal problem, and an important factor for me is to not get low after we’re not getting outcomes, however to additionally not get excessive after we win video games. I’ve bought to be regular and have a look at the large image.”
Let’s get to know the Boys in Gold #NSHvRSL | @EnglandLogistic
— Actual Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 11, 2025
They face a Nashville aspect who sit ninth within the Jap Convention, on 10 factors.
After a robust begin to the season that noticed them lose simply certainly one of their first 5 video games (W3 D1), Nashville have now suffered back-to-back defeats in opposition to FC Cincinnati and Charlotte FC.
Nashville misplaced Walker Zimmerman to damage in that match after the captain was kicked within the head, and whereas head coach BJ Callaghan just isn’t but certain if he’ll function on Saturday, he’s assured whoever is introduced in will step as much as the plate.
“It’s about getting the subsequent man up, getting the connections and cohesiveness to be the identical,” Callaghan stated.
“Walker brings nice management to the group. So, persons are going to must bear that and tackle that accountability.
“That doesn’t imply one individual. We simply must take it and share it amongst the 20 that will get named for the match and proceed to push ahead.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar
Hany Mukhtar is scoreless in three profession matches in opposition to Actual Salt Lake, certainly one of solely three MLS groups Mukhtar has confronted in regular-season play however by no means scored in opposition to (additionally FC Cincinnati and Vancouver Whitecaps).
Nearly matchday pic.twitter.com/p3r3jMpMoT
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) April 10, 2025
Actual Salt Lake – Diego Luna
Diego Luna scored each of Actual Salt Lake’s targets of their win on Saturday, taking him to 11 targets and 12 assists because the begin of the 2024 season.
The one United States worldwide with extra objective contributions than Luna’s 23 because the begin of final season is Djordje Mihailovic (27).
MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE SC WIN
Both sides has a win within the three all-time conferences between Nashville and Actual Salt Lake (one draw). Nashville’s lone win got here of their solely dwelling match in opposition to RSL, a 2-0 victory in Could 2022.
Nashville have 10 factors by means of seven matches this season (W3 D1 L3). Nashville have collected between seven and 11 factors after seven matches in every of the membership’s six MLS seasons.
In the meantime, all three of Actual Salt Lake’s wins this season have come over groups that made the playoffs in 2024, together with a 2-0 victory over LA Galaxy on Saturday. Solely certainly one of RSL’s 4 defeats to date have been in opposition to playoff groups from a 12 months in the past (together with a loss to enlargement San Diego FC).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville SC – 43.7%
Draw – 26.8%
Actual Salt Lake – 29.6%
