Our prediction for this MLS match:
Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes go head to head at Rio Tinto Stadium in what is expected to be one of the most exciting games of Sunday’s program. Following three consecutive league wins, the Royals suffered a 2-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps in their last match before the international break, with the team dropping to third place in the Western Conference. Real Salt Lake aim to return to winning ways as soon as possible, and they are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Sunday’s clash.
All Damir Kreilach, Jonathan Menendez, Bret Halsey, and Zack Farnsworth continue to miss out with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the home team. The Earthquakes, on the other hand, aim to put an end to their three-match winless run, but given their poor away record (0-2-5) in MLS, anything but a routine home win would be a major surprise. San Jose head coach Alex Covelo can’t count on the likes of Marcos Lopez, Niko Tsakiris, Siad Haji, Gilbert Fuentes, and George Asomani for the Rio Tinto Stadium clash.
Highlighted Player (Justin Meram):
Over the years Justin Meram has established himself as one of the best Iraqi footballers. The centre forward, who is capable of playing as a winger as well, was born in Shelby Charter Township, Michigan on December 4, 1988, but he represents Iraq on the international stage.
During his college career Justin Meram played for the likes of Yavapai Roughriders and Michigan Wolverines and in 2011 he joined MLS club Columbus Crew. Meram scored 37 goals in 188 appearances for the club in MLS before signing a deal with Orlando City in January, 2018.
The Iraq international made his debut for the Lions in a 1-1 draw with DC United on March 4 and he scored his first goal for the club on May 14 in a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United. As for his international career, Justin Meram made his Iraq debut in November, 2014 in a 1-0 defeat to Kuwait. The Orlando City attacker wears the number 9 shirt.