Jul 6, 2024; Sandy, Utah, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Cristian Arango (9) celebrates a goal in the second half against the Atlanta United FC at America First Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports Portland Timbers coach Phil Neville had a prediction for Saturday’s home match against Real Salt Lake.
“It’s got nil-nil written all over it,” Neville joked.
That’s unlikely, considering Real Salt Lake (12-3-7, 43 points) lead the MLS Western Conference with 48 goals and the Timbers (9-8-6, 33 points) are second with 45.
“I think this is probably going to be one of our toughest games we’ve had for a long time,” Neville said, “and so we’re really excited. I’m excited to see how far we’ve come. I’m excited for the occasion. I’m excited for a game (featuring) two attacking teams.”
The Timbers are 7-2-2 over their past 11 matches to move into fifth place in the conference. RSL entered the weekend in a three-way tie for first with Los Angeles FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Portland’s Jonathan Rodriguez tallied twice and Felipe Mora also scored Sunday in a 4-1 victory against visiting Nashville SC, giving the Timbers three players with 10-plus goals this season. Evander has 10 goals and a team-high 11 assists.
RSL is coming off a 5-2 victory against visiting Atlanta United last Saturday in which Chicho Arango scored his MLS-leading 17th goal of the season. Diego Luna added a goal and three assists for RSL, yet was left off the U.S. roster for the Paris Olympics. The 20-year-old has five goals and 12 assists this season.
RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni suggested leaving Luna off the U.S. team was like “poking the bear.”
“He’s a player that plays with a chip on his shoulder,” Mastroeni said. “Credit to Diego for his endeavor and, really, his quality … selfishly for me and the rest of our team, we’ve got a top-caliber player that’s going to be available for the next four games.”
Said Luna: “I’m grateful to be here and to be able to stay here with RSL in this great run of form and continue to do stuff like this and hopefully more, right? So I’m happy, focused. I’m here with RSL and I’m going to continue to work hard.”
This will be the first meeting between RSL and Portland this season. The Timbers hold a 13-9-10 edge in the clubs’ regular-season series.
–Field Level Media