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Wizards-Real Salt Lake Preview

May 28, 2010 - 5:07 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Kansas City (2-4-2) at Real Salt Lake (5-3-1), 9:00 p.m. EDT

Real Salt Lake lost at home once last season en route to its first MLS Cup title. It will try to avenge that defeat Saturday night against Kansas City as it looks to set a franchise record with a fifth straight victory.

RSL was a Western Conference-best 9-1-5 at home last season, falling 2-0 to Kansas City on May 16, 2009. Since that loss, the club is 8-0-6 in Salt Lake City.

RSL (5-3-1) returns to Rio Tinto Stadium following last Saturday's 2-1 road win over Chivas USA. After Chivas scored the equalizer in the 81st minute, second-half substitute Fabian Espindola scored in the 88th off a pass from Alvaro Saborio, who has three goals and two assists during the four-match winning streak.

"We felt like we deserved to win," said defender Chris Wingert, whose first-half goal in stoppage time was his first in 147 MLS appearances. "But at the same time, with 10 minutes left to go, momentum had changed and we were tied, so we felt fortunate."

RSL captain Kyle Beckerman was not as fortunate, leaving in the 25th minute with a sprained left foot. With the midfielder expected to be sidelined Saturday, 2009 first-round draft pick Jean-Michel Alexandre could make his first MLS start.

"We believe that we have a guy that we can plug in and play the same way, but our belief needs to be backed up by performance. Decisions have yet to be made," coach Jason Kreis told RSL's official website.

Real Salt Lake will also be without Robbie Findley for at least the next three games after he was named to the 23-man U.S. World Cup roster on Wednesday.

RSL has scored an MLS-high 17 goals, with Beckerman and Findley combining for three.

Kansas City (2-4-2) has not enjoyed as much success putting the ball in the back of the net. Since winning their first two games by a combined 5-0 margin, the Wizards have scored three goals - all by Kei Kamara - during an 0-4-2 stretch.

"I am very frustrated," coach Peter Vermes told the Wizards' official website following Sunday's 1-0 loss to visiting Columbus. "I am, I know the rest of the staff is and I know the players are. There are a lot of games where have played well. We just haven't gotten it."

The Wizards are hoping that midfielder Jamar Beasley can eventually help. Signed on Wednesday, the 30-year-old returns to MLS for the first time since 2001. Beasley, the older brother of U.S. national team member DaMarcus Beasley, has been with the Rockford Rampage indoor soccer team since 2008 and is not expected to get many minutes until his fitness improves.

Wizards rookie forward Teal Bunbury could make his second straight start for Josh Wolff, who has yet to score after leading the team with 12 goals in 2009. Wolff scored both goals in last season's victory in Salt Lake City.

Kansas City is 5-3-2 all-time against Real Salt Lake.