Real Salt Lake, Minnesota surge into playoff opener

Round 1 playoff opponents Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United may both believe they are peaking at the right time as they head into Tuesday's series-opening clash in Sandy, Utah.

Western Conference third seed Salt Lake boasts a six-match unbeaten run and home field for two matches (if necessary) in the best-of-three series. But it may be sixth-seeded Minnesota that is in better form, ending the regular season on a 4-0-1 run while outscoring opponents 10-1 in that stretch.

Minnesota defender Jefferson Diaz has helped stabilize the back line since his arrival in the summer transfer window.

Bongi Hlongwane's 11 goals is a relatively modest total for a team leader, but the Loons have attacked by committee, with six players finding the net at least five times this season.

"I think you look at the last 10 games and even after Leagues Cup, we've really bounced back after that rough patch in the middle of the season there," Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair said. "So I think we're a team definitely in form, obviously scoring a lot of goals."

The Loons' lone draw in their five-match unbeaten run came in their previous trip to Salt Lake, a 0-0 final on Oct. 2 that generally reflected an even balance of play.

"We're going up against a team that's organized and experienced and have been in a great run of form, so this is going to be a challenge for us," RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "And I think we learned a lot from our last game against them as far as how we want to play and being more vertical in the way we want to attack."

The Claret and Cobalt have settled for draws in half the matches of their six-match unbeaten run. They closed the season with consecutive victories at San Jose (1-0) and at home against Vancouver (2-1).

There are still questions about a Salt Lake attack that has looked far less dynamic in the final third of the season. Cristian Arango has 17 goals, but none in his last eight league appearances dating back to early July.

Diego Luna (two goals) is the only Salt Lake player to score in the last three matches, with the team's other tally coming via an own goal scored by Vancouver's goalkeeper.

--Field Level Media