CARSON, Calif. – Emmanuel Boateng has lit up Real Salt Lake during his time in Major League Soccer, and he’ll be hoping to do so once again on Saturday when the two teams face off at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Boateng was a one-man wrecking crew against Salt Lake last year with four goals and two assists in three games with the Utahns. Each time the two teams faced off, Boateng’s speed terrorized Salt Lake as he created ample space against their defenders and tallied a few brilliant individual goals.
As for why Boateng has been so effective in matches with Salt Lake, the speedy midfielder says that there is no unique formula to his good fortune.
“I think that we just play well against them. I just find myself in the right spots to make plays,” Boateng told LA Galaxy Insider. “It’s nothing against them; I’d do the same against any other team if I have the options. I’m just playing the game and if the options come and the chances come then I’ll just take them.”
Although Boateng says that there’s nothing special about his approach when he takes on Salt Lake, Boateng’s teammate Sebastian Lletget admits that they’ll be looking find Boateng in dangerous positions on Saturday.
“He’s done so well against them, and we’re definitely hoping that he does the same this week,” Lletget said. “He’s an effective player. He uses his speed wisely, and when he gets players one-on-one, he’s lethal. We have to get him in those positions, and hopefully, we do.”
