Dallas face a crowded last line while San Jose's available supply has lost an important receiver. Salt Lake's wide combinations present a different challenge to a CITY side carrying concentrated cup minutes. The useful connection between these matches is the work required after the first defensive action.
Dallas can connect Job and its inside runners to Musa, but San Jose's compact defensive shape makes the final reception important. Judd took both of San Jose's on-target attempts in their latest match and is now suspended. Sarver also moves from a substitute appearance to suspension, while Farrington remains unavailable and Werner is questionable. That leaves less demonstrated finishing and fewer forward changes around the retained creators. I'm siding with a contained goal count in Dallas versus San Jose.
RSL's Sanabria, Caliskan and Guilavogui have linked wide progression to arriving runners across the recent starting setup. Luna and Eneli were already absent from those combinations. CITY bring eight players who completed the entire extended cup final, following a league game in which Minnesota repeatedly reached dangerous positions after halftime.
Salt Lake can keep its defensive shape and make those central and wide defenders track another arrival after the first pass. Their longer preparation and demonstrated second-half combinations give that pattern substance. I'm siding with Real Salt Lake, with a level finish covered by the attached selection.
