Troy Lesesne labelled D.C. United’s 7-1 thrashing to Chicago Hearth as “unacceptable” however is assured they’ll bounce again towards Actual Salt Lake on Saturday.
D.C. didn’t mount a problem on house soil towards the Hearth, that means they’ve now received simply considered one of 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 Jap Convention on 18 factors, seven factors behind Charlotte FC in ninth.
Nonetheless, Lesesne stays optimistic about their possibilities of getting a constructive outcome at Salt Lake to silence any questions.
“It’s not straightforward, there’s little question about that. On Monday, we regarded it [the loss] straight within the eyes,” he stated.
“We all know this outcome; it’s the second time it’s occurred this 12 months. It’s unacceptable, however on the similar time, we’re a bunch that’s going to remain collectively. We’re going to reply.
“I do know whenever you lose like that, you query the combat, that’s truthful. However we’re prepared to reply like we did after San Jose, so I feel we’re greater than able to doing that. It’ll be robust, 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 successful since April, head coach Pablo Mastroeni stays upbeat and insists the run has not affected morale amongst his gamers.
“What retains me constructive is that we’re proper there,” he instructed KSL Sports activities Zone.
“It’s actually the final piece that we’ve acquired to place collectively, and oftentimes, whenever 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 making an attempt occasions, the skilled gamers have been steadfast, in order that retains me optimistic. On the finish of the day, there’s just one means, 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 out, nevertheless it was not for lack of making an attempt as that they had 19 makes an attempt on aim.
Zavier Gozo was liable for three of these, a joint-team-high, and in addition had probably the most pictures on track (two) and created probably the most anticipated objectives (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 because the begin of the 2021 season, and second this 12 months, that D.C. United have allowed 5 or extra objectives in a regular-season match, three greater than some other workforce within the league in that point.
Luis Barraza will likely be eager to place that outcome behind him as rapidly as potential and earn a primary clear sheet since Might 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 received 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 house towards D.C. (W8 D3).
Each groups are struggling for kind for the time being, although. Actual Salt Lake’s 15 factors via 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 house matches (W1 D1), together with a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps of their final match at America First Area. RSL had misplaced solely two of their earlier 16 house league video games courting again to late March 2024 (W11 D3).
D.C., in the meantime, conceded seven objectives in a match for the second time in membership historical past on Saturday in a 7-1 defeat to Chicago. United additionally allowed seven objectives 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%
