Against Austin FC, RSL aim to extend their unbeaten streak to 13

Real Salt Lake will look to extend their 12-match unbeaten run on Saturday when they host an Austin FC side that recently had their winning streak snapped.

Salt Lake (8-2-6, 30 points) has used a lot of late drama to extend that streak to their last two games and maintain their lead in the Western Conference.

Last Saturday, they overcame a three-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 draw at FC Dallas when Nelson Palacio equalized in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time. Then on Wednesday night, Andres Gomez scored a minute later to secure a 1-1 draw in Seattle in a wild finish that also saw a potential second Sounders goal disallowed.

Gomez’s eighth goal of the season underscored the fact that Salt Lake is more than just MLS MVP candidate Cristian Arango, who despite his MLS-leading 13 goals was used off the bench on Wednesday. And it bolstered manager Pablo Mastroeni’s belief that he is training a wing of incredible resilience.

“If you don’t believe you have a chance, there’s no way you’re going to score. But these guys, it’s almost like they go into it — you know, they put their brains through and let their spirits take over,” he said. “I can’t say enough about this band.”

Austin (6-5-5, 23 points) had won five straight at home before succumbing to a 2-0 loss to the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night and losing leading scorer Sebastian Driussi for an extended period in the process.

Driussi had a free kick saved by Portland’s James Pantemis in the 16th minute, then left in the 60th minute with a lower-body injury. He then suggested in an Instagram post that his return to action would not be immediate.

Austin coach Josh Wolff believed his team’s run could have continued if Driussi had returned from the spot to add to his five regular-season goals.

“I think you get the point … the game is what we expect it to be,” Wolff said. “We will have the ball, we will push the opponent back.”

— Field level media