Sounders 2 - 1 Real Salt Lake
Final
  for this game

RSL facing striker shortage ahead of Seattle contest

May 27, 2011 - 5:52 PM Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - Real Salt Lake has scored just one goal in its last four games, so the last thing that RSL coach Jason Kreis needs is a shortage of strikers ahead of his team's match with Seattle Sounders FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.

But that is exactly the case with both Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica) and Arturo Alvarez (El Salvador) having already left to join their respective national teams ahead of the Gold Cup competition.

The absences of Saborio and Alvarez, who will not be available for a minimum of four matches, leaves Kreis with just one option up top in Fabian Espindola, who has one goal in four games this season.

RSL's lack of offense would cripple most teams, but the fact that the club has also conceded just one goal in the last four games has kept them in a decent position.

The club set a league record for fewest goals allowed in a season last campaign with 20 in 30 games. But that mark could be in jeopardy this season with just two goals having been scored against the club in eight games so far.

Goalkeeper Nick Rimando has already recorded five clean sheets, and he may need a few more in the coming weeks if his team is going to continue to earn points.

Seattle enters the match having won only one of its last five games and is coming off a 1-0 home defeat to FC Dallas on Wednesday.

The Sounders controlled a large portion of the possession during the game, but ended up a frustrated side after yielding a goal to Brek Shea in the 18th minute.

"We had some good plays, but the bottom line is that it wasn't good enough," Sounders striker Nate Jaqua said following the match. "We've got to win that game at home. Dallas is a good team, but to lose to a team at home is always frustrating."

RSL hasn't lost to a team at home in MLS play in 28 games, something Seattle will try to put an end to on Saturday.






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