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D.C. United are the only team in MLS yet to
surrender a goal this season, after posting clean sheets in each
of the first two games -- a 2-0 win over Atlanta United in the
opening match, and then a 0-0 draw at New York City FC last
Sunday.
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid credited "a good chemistry about us"
within D.C. United's back line, and took particular satisfaction
in keeping the clean sheet in a tough road environment in New
York.
"For us to keep a shutout against a team like this, I think it
shows our ability in the back," Hamid said. "We have to keep it
going, we have to continue this very, very complete defensive
performance that we're putting together."
Salt Lake allowed just a single on-target shot in its season
opening match against the Houston Dynamo, though it was a costly
one, as Houston converted that lone chance to record a 1-1
result.
Against Vancouver last Saturday, however, RSL tightened things
up for a 1-0 victory, with goalkeeper Nick Rimando making three
saves.
"I thought in the first half, all-around complete control of the
game from us," Real Salt Lake head coach Mike Petke said of the
Vancouver game. "Defensively we were extremely sound. ... From a
defensive standpoint, it was a good performance."
Real Salt Lake now face another big challenge in traveling to
what has quickly become one of Major League Soccer's toughest
venues. D.C. United have a 13-2-1 record in regular-season MLS
play since Audi Field opened on July 14.
That dominance at home has helped fuel D.C. United's unbeaten
record (8-0-4) over its last 12 MLS regular-season games, dating
back to last year.
Striker Joao Plata missed RSL's last game with an ankle injury,
and is questionable for Saturday.
--Field Level Media
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