San Jose vs Real Salt Lake 7/27/20 - MLS Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 07/26/2020 at 11:50 AM ET

On Monday, the San Jose Earthquakes play Real Salt Lake in a round of 16 fixture in the MLS is Back Tournament. San Jose is the Cinderella story of this tournament earning 7 points and finishing at the top of Group B. San Jose defeated Vancouver in a wild comeback 4-3 in one of its two victories during group stage play. Veteran Chris Wondolowski has repeatedly come off the bench to score for the Earthquakes.

The Earthquakes also defeated the Chicago Fire 2-0 in Group B play with Wondolowski and Christian Espinoza each scoring in the second half. That victory clinched the Group B title for San Jose. The two victories in group play for San Jose came following an opening match 0-0 draw against the Seattle Sounders in a defensive struggle. San Jose has scored six goals and allowed three through its three matches thus far in the tournament.

Real Salt Lake is a difficult club to break down. Led by the defensive talent of Justen Glad and strong midfielder play of Everton Luiz,  Real Salt Lake has conceded only a pair of goals through its first three matches with both of those in its defeat at the hands of Sporting Kansas City after Real Salt Lake had already qualified for the round of 16. Real Salt Lake has only scored two goals in his three matches and hopes that Albert Rusnak returns from a hip injury that caused the striker to miss Real Salt Lake's match against Sporting KC.

In the opening match of Group D play, Real Salt Lake defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0. That victory was followed by a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United FC and a 2-0 loss to Sporting KC. Real Salt Lake will live and die with its defense evidenced by moving through to the knockout stage after scoring just two goals through three fixtures but allowing just two in those same three matches.

Head-to-head the two clubs could not be any more evenly matched as each has won 11 fixtures and there have been 11 draws between the two in their 33 previous matches. However, Real Salt Lake has a far better backline and goalkeeper than does San Jose and that will be the difference in this knockout stage matchup. Final Score Predictions, Real Salt Lake wins 2-1

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