One of the most uttered phrases in sporting circles this week is a variation of "isn't Real Salt Lake going to get its butt kicked by Real Madrid?"

After all, Real Madrid is arguably the most storied franchise in European soccer history, whereas RSL is one year removed from its expansion tag and this year owns one of the worst records in Major League Soccer.

"A blowout is inevitable, right?"

Not necessarily.

Inasmuch as Real Madrid should, and probably will win Saturday's international friendly at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the date of the match, in addition to a brief history between MLS and European teams, gives Real Salt Lake fans reason to be optimistic.

One of the biggest advantages RSL enjoys is on the calendar. Even though the franchise has underachieved this year, the players are still in midseason form and should have no problem competing in the 90-degree heat.

The same can't necessarily be said for Real Madrid. The La Liga campaign doesn't get under way until Aug. 27, and Madrid is still trying to regain its fitness during this training camp visit to the United States. It's an ongoing process, and it's unlikely the players are match fit enough to play 90 minutes, especially at altitude.

Some would argue that it's better to be superior talentwise as opposed to being completely match fit. That didn't work for Chelsea last weekend.

The MLS All-Stars knocked off the English Premiere League club 1-0, a match in which fitness obviously reigned supreme. If the match were played on English soil three months from now, Chelsea would no doubt win by multiple goals.

No one is confusing Real Salt Lake with an all-star team, which is why a loss to Real Madrid seems likely. However, with an intelligent approach on game day, RSL should be able to compete with Real Madrid like other MLS teams have against European foes recently.

In addition to the all-star win last week, already this summer D.C. United beat Scotland's Celtic 4-0, while Columbus tied Premiere League team Everton and New England tied Celtic.

Wednesday night in Seattle, Real Madrid tied D.C. United 1-1, a result it will try to improve upon Saturday against Real Salt Lake. On the same night, Champions League champion FC Barcelona faces the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium.

Last summer, in Real Madrid's only other visit to the United States to battle an MLS side, it beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 in a spirited match at the Home Depot Center. That same week, D.C. United more than held its own in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea at FedEx Field, a game which D.C. actually scored first.

Despite the encouraging outcomes the past two years, it's foolish to place too much stock into them.

Chelsea and Real Madrid have payrolls in excess of $200 million, whereas MLS salary caps are set at about $2 million. In ideal conditions, Major League Soccer teams have proven they can compete with some of Europe's best. Unfortunately for MLS, those ideal conditions only exist in July and August when European teams are in training camp. Every other time of the year, European clubs are vastly superior.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com