Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Date, Preview, Time, TV, Streaming and More

This Sunday, October 20, 2024, Real Salt Lake challenges the Vancouver Whitecaps in an important MLS Regular Season matchup. The matchup is part of the MLS and kicks off at 06:30 local time. Both teams enter the final stretch of the season with playoff spots hanging in the balance.

Real Salt Lake has been good at home, and being in America First Field might be a big plus for them. Vancouver has not been doing well in their last couple of road games. Real Salt Lake is averaging fair with 14 wins, 5 draws, and 13 losses, while the Vancouver Whitecaps sit at 15 wins, 7 draws, and 11 losses. This is going to be a very close match, considering how the two teams have been brilliant at certain moments of the season, and with only a few games remaining, every point will count.

Date
Sunday, October 20, 2024

Time
Kickoff: 6:45 AM (Mountain Time)

Where
Stadium: America First Field
Location: Sandy, Utah

Weather
Partly cloudy, 58°F at the kickoff, and breezy.

What Channel Is Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Game On?
Now on Apple TV: MLS Season Pass

Radio
Local radio coverage will be on KSL Radio 1160 AM.

Live Streaming
Apple TV - MLS Season Pass (subscription required).

Match Preview

Salt Lake comes into the match on an unbeaten streak of five, while Vancouver's form has seen peaks and troughs over the last weeks. Both teams will be ready to pounce on any weaknesses in opposition.

Real Salt Lake goes into the match highly confident, not having lost any of their last five matches, a run where they won two and drew three, a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes and a 3-2 win against FC Dallas inclusive. They have been a bit fragile in back, failing to keep a clean sheet in six straight matches.

The Whitecaps are slouching, on the other hand. They lost their last three matches and a 2-1 defeat against Los Angeles FC—they have also not kept a clean sheet in their last four outings. The Whitecaps are still battle-hardened against Real Salt Lake, though, with a record of 14 wins for Real Salt Lake and 13 for Vancouver, along with seven draws in 34 total meetings.

Real Salt Lake has the edge home, with nine wins against Vancouver in 16 games played at Rio Tinto Stadium. In that same stadium, Vancouver has been able to count only two victories against RSL. Among the main protagonists, creativity is offered by Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna, while defensive-goal protagonist Ralph Priso plays for Vancouver.

The betting odds slightly favor Real Salt Lake with a 2.00 (50%) chance of winning, though their actual win rate with those odds is 44%. Vancouver has odds of 3.30, for an expected chance of 30%, but they tend to outperform, winning 41% of the time at those odds.

Match Stats (Season Averages):

Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Shots: 15.5 vs. 12.7
• Shots on Goal: 5.9 vs. 4.6
• Possession: 51% vs. 49%
• Passing Accuracy: 86% vs. 86.2%
• Corners: 5.4 vs. 4.8
• Expected Goals (xG): 60.2 vs. 52.5

Both teams are well-matched statistically, with Salt Lake having a slight edge in offense and shot creation. Vancouver’s defense, led by goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, will need to be solid to keep out Salt Lake’s potent attacking lineup.

With that in mind, Real Salt Lake has the slight edge going into the match with modern form and past head-to-heads; however, Vancouver still managed a challenge, especially based on how they prepared for close games.