SANDY, Utah (ABC4 Sports) - Real Salt Lake has already clinched an MLS playoff spot, but considering RSL is 6-1-2 all-time at home in the postseason, they want that home field advantage in the first round.
RSL is currently in third place in the Western Conference, with the top four seeds earning home playoff games. A win against Minnesota United Wednesday night would go a long way to clinching just that.
"It's a huge advantage," said RSL defender Justen Glad. "So it's definitely something we have our eyes on. We're we're definitely thinking home game. These last three games are playoff games where at that point in the season where every point matters. So, yeah, it's definitely on our minds."
This is already the highest scoring team in RSL history with 61 goals with still three games left too play. The problem lately has been giving up goals late in games. RSL has blown 2-0 leads against Portland and Austin FC, and had to settle for draws.
"It's a learning curve," said head coach Pablo Mastroeni. "We have a really young group, and these are experiences that unfortunately you have to go through to learn from. I think every game is its own event. It's only a concern if it continues to happen."
"Yeah, it's frustrating," admitted RSL midfielder Matt Crooks. "Um, "It's bordering ridiculous, really. I think we should have easily won both of those games. Most of the squad is pretty young, though, so it's learning from those experiences."
"Now it's just about closing those games out," Glad said. "We dropped four points that we shouldn't have dropped this past week just from late goals. But it's good to know that we've been scoring goals as well."
With two of their final three games at home against Minnesota tomorrow and Vancouver on October 19, America First Field will be rocking.
"I'm excited to see the fans out here," Glad said. "They've been incredible all year. I'm sure tomorrow is going to be no exception, so I'm buzzing about it."
Real Salt Lake (14-7-10) and Minnesota United (13-12-6) will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night.