Real Salt Lake v Minnesota United: Ramsay hoping to build on Seattle shutout

Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay wants his side to build on their clean sheet against the Seattle Sounders.

The Loons won 1-0 against the Sounders, keeping their first clean sheet in MLS since May 28, a goalless draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Despite their run of conceding goals, Minnesota have been one of the best sides in the league when it comes to defending.

Only the Whitecaps (11) have recorded more clean sheets than Minnesota's nine this season, while Ramsey's side have also conceded the joint-fourth fewest goals (30).

Ramsay believes the clean sheet against Seattle last time out can help their confidence moving forward, starting with a trip to Real Salt Lake.

"I think if you asked beforehand what the group needed, rather than wanted, it was a clean sheet," said Ramsay.

"It was a return to the level of resilience and defensive discipline and desperation to keep the ball out of the net that we have shown for such long periods of this year, and that has made us such a difficult team to play against.

"I feel like over the last couple of months, albeit results have still be good and you now see an evolved version of the team, we have always been able to nail down that clean sheet but that is what you saw in this match.

"That compactness, the characteristics that makes Minnesota a team that no one likes to play against. The fact that we were able to show that for large parts of the game and take our chance when it came, it was really pleasing way to finish the match and it gives us a really solid base for what is to come."

Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, are 10th in the West and just one point behind the San Jose Earthquakes in the playoff positions.

RSL do have a game in hand over their Western Conference rivals, but have lost their last two matches in the league.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Braian Ojeda

Braian Ojeda's home form could be a cause for concern for Ramsay's side.

Ojeda has scored in three of his last four home matches across all competitions, totalling four goals. His only other two career goals since joining RSL also came in consecutive home matches in July 2024.

Minnesota United – Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi

Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi has led from the front for the Loons this season, scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists in 23 MLS games.

The 25-year-old also scored a brace when Minnesota beat RSL 2-0 back in March.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

RSL have lost consecutive matches for the fourth time this season. They have only had one losing streak of three or more MLS games in the last five seasons – four straight games from March-April 2023.

With their goal against Seattle, Minnesota have now scored 50% (22/44) of their league goals from set pieces this season. The next-most set piece goals by an MLS team this season is 18 by the Philadelphia Union.

Minnesota are on a seven-game unbeaten run against Salt Lake in all competitions (W1 D6, including two penalty shoot-out wins), with RSL last winning in 2022. The Loons won the first meeting between the teams this season but neither team has won consecutive matches in the fixture.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 37.9%

Draw – 26.4%

Minnesota United – 35.7%