Real Salt Lake, LAFC look to reverse recent slides

When Real Salt Lake and visiting Los Angeles FC meet on Saturday night, both teams bring winless league runs into their Western Conference matchup. RSL (8-9-4, 28 points) sit 10th in the West table, just outside a playoff spot, after an 0-5-2 run since the World Cup break ended. LAFC (10-7-6, 36 points) are third in the West but have sputtered to an 0-2-3 mark in their last five fixtures. RSL is coming off a 1-0 loss on Aug. 29 at Colorado, conceding in the 58th minute to Reggie Cannon. The team has made a handful of moves since that loss, trading midfielder Pablo Ruiz to the LA Galaxy, signing 19-year-old Serbian winger Dusan Zagar and acquiring midfielder Taylor Booth on loan from FC Twente in the Netherlands. Zagar could boost an attack that has been flagging during the team's skid. RSL has just eight goals in MLS play since the World Cup break concluded. Zagar had three goals in 42 games for FK IMT Belgrade. 'We believe that our developmental track record with Andres Gomez and Zavier Gozo, amongst others, made us an attractive option,' RSL chief soccer officer Kurt Schmid said. LAFC have also been making moves to strengthen the roster, acquiring Brazilian forward Thayllon Roberth and Finnish midfielder Leo Walta on loan, while sending forward David Martinez to FC Midtjylland in Denmark. The addition of the 20-year-old Roberth could add spark to a capable attack that has not produced lately. He scored seven goals and added five assists in 46 matches over the last two years with his Serie B club in Brazil. 'His performances in Brazil have demonstrated both his ability to impact games now and the considerable potential he has to develop,' LAFC president of soccer operations John Thorrington said. LAFC is coming off a scoreless draw Aug. 29 at D.C. United. It was the 11th clean sheet for veteran goalie Hugo Lloris, who made three saves. LAFC took 17 shots but managed just one on frame. LAFC defeated RSL 3-1 on July 22 at home as Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga scored first-half goals.