Real Salt Lake to face powerful Red Bulls

There's been a lot of talk about how great Real Salt Lake's defense is this year, and rightfully so.

Led by a contingent of MLS All-Stars, RSL has conceded only 18 goals and is on pace to break the single-season league record of 23 goals against.

A year after allowing 35 goals, whittling the number virtually in half is a remarkable defensive turnaround. The season isn't over yet, though, and RSL's toughest test of the season might be this afternoon.

East-leading New York, with its trio of designated players, hosts Real Salt Lake Saturday at 2 p.m. at Red Bull Arena in easily the marquee MLS match this weekend.

"We've taken a lot of pride and doing a lot of talking about how good we are defensively, but we're going to be tested severely Saturday," said RSL coach Jason Kreis.

Both teams have plenty to play for with the playoffs just three weeks away.

For Real Salt Lake, its fortunes have changed drastically in the past seven days without even playing a match. Following a 2-1 victory over New England last weekend, Real vaulted past the L.A. Galaxy to the front of the MLS pack in the race for the Supporter's Shield.

It was a short-lived stay. The Galaxy have played twice in the interim, winning both and forging five points ahead.

If RSL stumbles in New York against a star-studded lineup featuring Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez and Juan Pablo Angel, it could fall into third place in the West by day's end if red-hot FC Dallas takes care of business at home against Colorado.

"They're great at home. Our job is going to be the same like a couple weeks ago — limit their chances and limit their touches around the box and make it difficult for them," said Andy Williams. "It's a road game for us, we just have to be smart."

These teams met just over a month ago at Rio Tinto Stadium, with RSL prevailing 1-0 to tie the MLS record for home unbeaten streak.

Marquez was one of four Red Bulls players who missed that match because of international duty. The Mexican international figures to be back in the lineup today, but teammates Dane Richards and Bouna Coundoul won't because of their own international call-up this week.

There's still an overwhelming amount of talent for the visitors to contend with against a New York team that's 9-3-1 at home this season.