Actual Salt Lake v D.C. United: Guests prepared to reply to ´unacceptable´ Chicago defeat, says Leses

Troy Lesesne labelled D.C. United’s 7-1 thrashing to Chicago Hearth as “unacceptable” however is assured they are going to bounce again towards Actual Salt Lake on Saturday.

D.C. didn’t mount a problem on residence soil towards the Hearth, which means they’ve now gained simply one among their final seven video games in MLS. It’s their second heavy defeat of the season, having additionally misplaced 6-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes in early April.

They sit twelfth within the Japanese Convention on 18 factors, seven factors behind Charlotte FC in ninth.

Nevertheless, Lesesne stays optimistic about their possibilities of getting a optimistic consequence at Salt Lake to silence any questions.

“It’s not straightforward, there’s little doubt about that. On Monday, we appeared it [the loss] straight within the eyes,” he mentioned.

“We all know this consequence; it’s the second time it’s occurred this yr. It’s unacceptable, however on the similar time, we’re a gaggle that’s going to remain collectively. We’re going to reply.

“I do know if you lose like that, you query the battle, that’s truthful. However we’re prepared to reply like we did after San Jose, so I believe we’re greater than able to doing that. It’ll be powerful, however that’s our focus.

Each second, each minute, we play collectively. pic.twitter.com/LieSR0xrPr

— D.C. United (@dcunited) June 12, 2025

Actual Salt Lake have had their very own struggles this season, as they sit thirteenth within the West on 15 factors, eight behind Colorado Rapids within the final playoff spot.

They’re winless in seven (D3 L4), with their 2-0 defeat towards LA Galaxy final weekend marking Greg Vanney’s facet’s first win of the season.

Regardless of not profitable since April, head coach Pablo Mastroeni stays upbeat and insists the run has not affected morale amongst his gamers.

“What retains me optimistic is that we’re proper there,” he instructed KSL Sports activities Zone.

“It’s actually the final piece that we’ve bought to place collectively, and oftentimes, if you’re in a nasty run of kind from a outcomes perspective, it creeps into the group, however I’ve been so blessed to work with guys who consider we are able to flip this round.

“In attempting instances, the skilled gamers have been steadfast, in order that retains me optimistic. On the finish of the day, there’s just one method, and that’s ahead.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Actual Salt Lake – Zavier Gozo

Actual Salt Lake didn’t beat, on the time, winless LA Galaxy final day trip, however it was not for lack of attempting as they’d 19 makes an attempt on objective.

Zavier Gozo was chargeable for three of these, a joint-team-high, and likewise had essentially the most pictures on course (two) and created essentially the most anticipated targets (xG) of 0.7, however he couldn’t discover the goal.

D.C. United – Luis Barraza

Final Saturday’s 7-1 loss to Chicago was the ninth time for the reason that begin of the 2021 season, and second this yr, that D.C. United have allowed 5 or extra targets in a regular-season match, three greater than another group within the league in that point.

Luis Barraza might be eager to place that consequence behind him as shortly as attainable and earn a primary clear sheet since Could 18.

summer season soccer is right here #RSLvDC | @kennecottutah

— Actual Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 13, 2025

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

D.C. United gained their first away match towards Actual Salt Lake 3-1 in RSL’s growth 2005 season. Since then, RSL are unbeaten in 11 straight at residence towards D.C. (W8 D3).

Each groups are struggling for kind in the mean time, although. Actual Salt Lake’s 15 factors by 17 matches this season is their worst mark on the halfway level of a full season since MLS expanded to a 34-match schedule in 2011.

And, they’ve misplaced 4 of their final six residence matches (W1 D1), together with a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps of their final match at America First Subject. RSL had misplaced solely two of their earlier 16 residence league video games relationship again to late March 2024 (W11 D3).

D.C., in the meantime, conceded seven targets in a match for the second time in membership historical past on Saturday in a 7-1 defeat to Chicago. United additionally allowed seven targets in a loss to the Philadelphia Union in July 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Actual Salt Lake – 52.5%

Draw – 24.3%

D.C. United – 23.3%