Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United: How to watch and stream Game 1 of the first round

• America First Field | Sandy, Utah

The winner of the first round of the series will face either the LA Galaxy (No. 2) or the Colorado Rapids (No. 7) in the Western Conference semifinals on November 23rd or 24th. To get there, Salt Lake or Minnesota must win two games in this series opener, Game 2 (November 2) and Game 3 (November 8).

If a first round game is tied after regular time (90 minutes), no extra time will be played. A penalty shootout will take place immediately to determine the winner.

• Seeds: Western Conference No. 3
• Regular season: 59 points (16W-7L-11D)

RSL proved to be a surprise contender for the Western Conference in 2024, remaining at or near the top of the table for most of the year, despite head coach Pablo Mastroeni's offseason staff shake-up.

The main driver of the RSL success was Chicho Arango, who went into the All-Star break with 17g/11a. However, the Colombian striker has only provided one assist since the start of July, putting the attacking burden more heavily on Diego Luna. The rising USMNT midfielder more than delivered in a breakout season with 8g/12a, helping him earn second place in this year's 22 Under 22 rankings presented by BODYARMOR.

The Claret and Cobalt head into the playoffs on a six-game unbeaten streak (3W-0L-3D), with the hope that Arango rediscovers his best form and gets additional contributions from summer signings Diogo Gonçalves and Dominik Marczuk.

• Seeds: Western Conference No. 6
• Regular season: 52 points (15W-12L-7D)

In their first season under head coach Eric Ramsay, Minnesota are back in the playoffs after missing last year.

In addition to hiring a new manager, the Loons underwent major personnel changes. Their first task was to move on from struggling talisman Emanuel Reynoso and hand the playmaking reins to all-round midfielder Robin Lod (7g/15a). They then made arguably the biggest splash of the summer transfer window with the signing of DP striker Kelvin Yeboah, who had 7g/1a in his first nine appearances for the club.

Minnesota is one of the best in form teams heading into the playoffs, having compiled a record of 6 wins, 2 losses and 1 loss since the break in the League Cup and will be hoping to use that momentum to pull off a first round upset.