Real Salt Lake vs Minnesota United preview
2026 Major League Soccer, United States
America First Field
Today - 1:30 AM
Regular Season
STANDINGS
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| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
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| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
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| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
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Promotion
Promotion Playoffs
Relegation
Data last checked: Aug 16
CONTEXT
In a tightly contested encounter, Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United played out a 1-1 draw at the final whistle. The teams were level at 0-0 after the first half, showcasing balanced play initially. Real Salt Lake dominated possession with 57 percent to Minnesota United's 43 percent. Expected goals stood at 1.67 for Real Salt Lake and 1.64 for Minnesota United, indicating a very close match in terms of quality chances created. The draw outcome proved consistent with these xG values. Minnesota United entered as the stronger team, but the significant deviation noted for them did not alter the final result. Efficiency shifts stayed in line with projections, and no red cards occurred to distort the game. The match highlighted defensive solidity from both sides leading to the shared points.
TL;DR
-
Structural deviation: Minnesota United showed a significant structural deviation from pre-match expectations.
-
Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift was in line with the overall performance metrics.
-
xG alignment: The xG alignment confirmed the draw as the expected outcome based on 1.67 to 1.64 values.
-
Market alignment: Market alignment was true with the final result matching projections.
-
xG expectations: xG expectations were closely matched with Real Salt Lake at 1.67 and Minnesota United at 1.64.
-
Event impact: Event impact was minimal with no major disruptions affecting the 1-1 scoreline.
-
Red card distortion: Red card distortion was absent as neither team received a red card.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)
Quality vs Volume
Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11
Open Play vs Set Play
Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%
Expected Points
| Team | xPts |
|---|---|
| Home | 1.8 |
| Away | 1.2 |
ℹ️
Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
R. Vazquez
Referee
•
25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee
30.4
League Avg
0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee
4
League Avg
0
Red Cards / Match
Referee
0.36
League Avg
0
Penalties / Match
Referee
0.36
League Avg
0
P. Mastroeni
VS
C. Knowles
1.59
Avg Points / Game
(Last 100 Matches)
1.33
1.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
St. Louis City
Rank: 66
D
Portland Timbers
Rank: 62
L
Los Angeles FC
Rank: 71
L
Minnesota United
Rank: 65
D
Colorado Rapids
Rank: 62
W
Houston Dynamo
Rank: 66
W
Avg Points / Game
(Last 6 Matches)
0.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
San Diego
Rank: 68
D
Vancouver Whitecaps
Rank: 73
D
Sporting KC
Rank: 51
L
Real Salt Lake
Rank: 64
D
New England
Rank: 61
L
Colorado Rapids
Rank: 62
L
0
Head to Head
(Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 5 - 2
2
Team Power Ranking
iWhat is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
64.09
65.14
0 (Weakest)
100 (Strongest)
Metric
Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United
Power Score
64.09
65.14
League Position
6
10
Global Rank
442
405
Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted
Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.
–
vs
Real Salt Lake
—
Opponent-weighted form score
Minnesota United
—
Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts)
Draw (1 pt)
Loss (0 pts)
Real Salt Lake Minnesota United
Heatmaps Ball coordinates
Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.
–
vs
Loading…
Real Salt Lake
Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Own half density —
vs season average —
Minnesota United
Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Own half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.
Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence
Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.
Real Salt Lake
vs
Minnesota United
Created
Set-piece attacking threat
Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United
Set-piece xG Share
Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
3%
Goals per Match
Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00
0.00
vs Expected (xG)
Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.04
vs
-0.61
Conceded
Set-piece defensive exposure
Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United
Set-piece xGA Share
Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
37%
Conceded per Match
Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00
0.00
vs Expected (xGA)
Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.61
vs
-0.04
Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG
Counter / Transition Attack & Defence
What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.
–
Real Salt Lake
vs
Minnesota United
Attack After Winning
Possession transition → offence
Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United
Goals per Match
Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match.
↑ better
—
Shots per Match
Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match.
↑ better
—
Dangerous Attacks
Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match.
↑ better
—
Transition Efficiency Index
Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition.
Higher = stronger on the counter
Real Salt Lake
0.00
Minnesota United
0.00
Defence After Losing
Possession loss → defensive exposure
Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United
Goals Conceded
Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match.
↓ better
—
Shots Conceded
Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match.
↓ better
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded
Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match.
↓ better
—
Vulnerability Index
Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks.
Lower = better transition defence
Real Salt Lake
0.00
Minnesota United
0.00
Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score
PRESSURE INDEX
Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.
- RSL had peak pressure around 63'.
- MIN started the game with stronger pressure.
RSL Pressure
MIN Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index:
RSL reached the top pressure at 63' (96.18).
Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons
Summary of 7 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.
Real Salt Lake
RSL
Home
7
matches
Minnesota United
MIN
Away
Match Record
0
Wins
2
5
Draws
5
2
Losses
0
Goals
4
Goals Scored
8
8
Goals Conceded
4
-4
Goal Difference
+4
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0
Data last updated: 2026-08-16T01:01:05+00:00
STARTING XI
Match Formation
5-4-1
Match Formation
4-4-1-1
General Information
Date & Time
Aug 16, 2026, 01:30 AM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
America First Field
Capacity
20213
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Rubiel Vazquez
Next Match
Real Salt Lake
vs
Dallas
League: Major League Soccer
Kickoff: Thu, 20 Aug - 1:30 AM
Venue: America First Field
Minnesota United
vs
Atlanta United
League: Major League Soccer
Kickoff: Thu, 20 Aug - 12:30 AM
Venue: Allianz Field
Statistics
Possession
RSL
55%
MIN
45%
Top Statistics
1
Goals
1
4
Big Chances Created
4
5
Shots
9
37
Dangerous attacks
49
57
Possession
43
7
Corners
9
12
Free kicks
7
3
Yellow Cards
1
Match Overview
13
Goal Kicks
8
4
Substitutions
5
13
Throwins
15
1
Hit Woodwork
0
10
Successful Headers
15
1
Assists
1
8
Dribble Attempts
12
3
Successful Dribbles
6
38
Successful Dribbles Percentage
50
Attacking
100
Attacks
89
4
Big Chances Missed
3
Possession
51
Long Passes
66
571
Passes
421
495
Successful Passes
325
87
Successful Passes Percentage
77
10
Key Passes
9
23
Successful Long Passes
31
45
Successful Long Passes Percentage
47
Defensive
1
Saves
7
13
Tackles
10
21
Interceptions
13
38
Duels Won
37
Build-up
15
Total Crosses
17
1
Accurate Crosses
6
Discipline
1
Offsides
1
7
Fouls
12
Lineup
Referee :
Rubiel Vazquez
Manager ▼
P. Mastroeni
Coach
Starting XI ▼
Substitutes ▼
3
Kobi Henry
Defender
6.51 
Referee :
Rubiel Vazquez
Manager ▼
C. Knowles
Coach
Starting XI ▼
Substitutes ▼
Events
2ND-HALF
Argument / 4th Yellowcard
90+4'
89'
Left foot shot / 2nd Goal
9th Substitution
87'
87'
8th Substitution
7th Substitution
86'
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
82'
71'
4th Substitution
71'
5th Substitution
71'
6th Substitution
3rd Substitution
60'
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
56'
46'
2nd Substitution
1ST-HALF
32'
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
1st Substitution
15'
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
12'
CONCLUSION
The final score of 1-1 between Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United accurately captured the essence of a match where expected goals were virtually identical. Possession statistics showed Real Salt Lake with 57 percent, but this did not translate into a decisive advantage due to the visitors' efficiency. The game remained goalless at halftime, building tension for the second period where both teams found the net once. Consistency between the result and xG data highlights the reliability of these metrics in predicting outcomes. With no red cards issued, the match avoided any distortions that could have shifted dynamics unfairly. Minnesota United's status as the stronger team was noted, yet the draw represented a fair reflection of events on the field. This performance indicates areas for both teams to refine in upcoming fixtures.
Match Commentary