Minnesota United at Real Salt lake

When: 8:30 p.m. CT Wednesday
Where: Rio Tinto Stadium
Stream: Apple TV Season Pass
Radio: KSTP-AM, 1500
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny, 5 mph south wind
Betting line: Salt Lake minus-120; draw plus-300; MNUFC plus-255

Form: MNUFC (13-12-6, 45 points) has won four of five after its 3-0 victory over Colorado on Saturday. RSL (14-10-7, 52 points) has had two straight draws, but is one of four teams in MLS with at least 10 home wins.

“I want the opposition to be looking at us — as I’m sure Salt Lake are now — and thinking we can hurt them in a number of ways,” Loons head coach Eric Ramsay said. “And (versus) Colorado we really showed that, as well as giving up little over the course of the game defensively. In that sense, I felt it was the most complete and controlled we’ve been (this season).”

History: Minnesota United has never won (0-2-4) in Sandy, Utah, and the Loons previously had never won an MLS regular-season game in Kansas City, Kan., until a 2-0 victory over Sporting on Sept. 21. MNUFC can check off two firsts over a two-week span.

Look ahead: MNUFC can clinch a berth in MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday if: Loons beat RSL or FC Dallas loses or draws at San Jose. Minnesota can take matters into own hands, win and celebrate in Utah or wait for results from California an hour later.

Look (farther) ahead: Ramsay has his sights on finishing among the top seven seeds for a best-of-three format in playoffs — while avoiding the No. 8-9 wild-card match and the top overall seed that awaits that winner.

“(Wednesday) is pretty much the tipping point in that, I would say, and I feel like we have a real good chance in coming here and making a mark and putting our hand up and saying we can beat the top teams … away,” Ramsay said.

Absences: Teemu Pukki (adductor), DJ Taylor (hamstring) and Zarek Valentin (lower leg) are out.

Projected XI: In a 5-3-2 formation, FW Kelvin Yeboah, FW Robin Lod; MF Joaquin Pereyra, MF Wil Trapp, MF Hassani Dotson; LWB Joseph Rosales, CB Jefferson Diaz, CB Michael Boxall, CB Carlos Harvey, RWB Bongi Hlongwane; GK Dayne St. Clair

Scouting report: The Loons have adjusted how they defend in front of their back line in recent weeks, with one aspect being midfielder Trapp sitting deeper and providing cover. It has helped in two straight clean sheets.

RSL striker Cristian Arango is third in MLS with 17 goals this season, but the Colombian is goalless in MLS play since July 6. It helps MNUFC that Carlos Gomez, who had 13 goal this season, was sold to French club Rennes for $11 million in August.

Prediction: RSL has allowed 11 goals across the last four (2.75 per match) matches, and MNUFC forward Kelvin Yeboah has seven goals in his first six in MLS matches. Those trends are hard to ignore. MNUFC comes out victorious 2-1.