Bob Bradley says his Los Angeles FC players have been boosted by seeing MLS MVP Carlos Vela back in training ahead of the trip to Real Salt Lake, although he cannot yet confirm a return date.
Vela was the league's outstanding player last season, earning its top award as he scored 34 goals in 31 games to carry LAFC to the Supporters' Shield title.
But a medial collateral ligament injury to the Mexican's left knee has limited him to just three matches in 2020, with LAFC seventh in the West.
Coach Bradley said: "When you have an MCL, that final stage [is] getting the confidence in the knee, feeling that it's strong and stable for the different action.
"As everyone knows, his MCL is in the left knee. With his ability to do incredible things with his left foot, that's the final part, to get all of that back.
"It's really difficult to give a final timeline for that stage, but just seeing him in training is a boost for everybody."
This week's training has also been aided by the lack of a midweek fixture, rare respite from a draining schedule this year.
"Just having an extra little bit of training this week means you can get back to some training sessions where you can push things a little bit more," Bradley said. "That's what we did (on Thursday).
"It's been a long time since we had a training session where we could push the tempo and create some actions that are important for our team. I think everybody really enjoyed that part."
Vela is not the only former LaLiga star absent this weekend, with RSL waiting on Giuseppe Rossi's return to full fitness.
"We'll see how he is next week," said coach Freddy Juarez. "He's getting his medical clearance."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake - Corey Baird
The majority of RSL's goals of late have come from midfielders and the team were not helped by striker Baird missing the flight to last week's goalless draw at Minnesota United. Baird, whose only two goals this season came in back-to-back games in August, must look to make amends on Sunday.
Los Angeles FC - Eddie Segura
Segura was one of the league's outstanding defenders last season, but he has been part of a back line shipping goals at an alarming rate in away games this year. It is vital he rediscovers his best form to help get LAFC's campaign back on track.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Real Salt Lake beat LAFC 3-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in September after losing four of the first five meetings between the sides, conceding at least twice in all five matches (including playoffs). LA Galaxy (twice in eight regular season meetings) are the only team to keep more than one clean sheet against LAFC in the club's MLS history.
- RSL have been a second-half team going forward this season, scoring 16 of their 19 goals after half-time. Only Colorado Rapids (18) have more second-half goals. Ten of RSL's previous 11 goals, including the most recent five, have been scored after half-time.
- LAFC have lost six of their nine matches since returning from MLS is Back (W3), including a 2-1 defeat to San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday despite leading going into the final 10 minutes. LAFC have now dropped 24 points in 14 matches this season (D3 L6) after dropping just 30 points during the entire 2019 campaign (W21 D9 L4).
- All eight goals RSL scored in the month of September came at Rio Tinto Stadium. Three players - Damir Kreilach, Albert Rusnak and Justin Meram - have each scored two of RSL's most recent six goals, with all three finding the net in their 3-0 home win over LAFC on September 9.
- LAFC have been outscored 12-1 in their four road matches this season, conceding three goals in all four games (L4). They have gone three straight away matches without scoring after being shut out just twice on the road last season as they netted 37 away goals, second-most in a season in MLS history (the Galaxy - 44 away goals in 1998).
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