RSL’s celebrations have been short-lived recently
Finding an appropriate metaphor for Real Salt Lake’s unpredictable season is increasingly difficult. Just like trying to pin down this team is.
After last weekend’s last-minute triumph against Sporting Kansas City, one might have forgiven for thinking that RSL could go in and get a result against a slumping New York Red Bulls side.
Or not.
Jeff Cassar’s team looked unprepared both physically and mentally from kickoff, ceding the game’s only goal early and digging themselves a hole that no amount of valiant effort from a nine-man team in the second half could overcome. Although the message out of the club was that of a “moral victory”, it’s hard to accept that argument when the game’s only goal was conceded to a full-strength side and poor decisions by Javier Morales (who was lauded in this column last week) and Demar Phillips compounded the problem.
On Saturday night against the Columbus Crew, it was almost the opposite. RSL turned up looking motivated and dangerous from the opening whistle, only to lose well-earned leads twice. Again, the fans found consolation in something other than 3 points — this time, it was the well-orchestrated free kick that gave Real its first goal and went viral quickly.
RSL created a number of chances against Columbus even without the suspended Morales, which was a good sign, but it wasn’t good enough to defeat a Crew side that boasts some very capable attacking players.
To a certain extent, it’s hard to expect much from a defense that can’t keep a consistent back four on the pitch — Cassar is into his 5th and 6th choices at center back, primarily because of injuries (random State Department visa issues aside). But even Tony Beltran, the only consistent figure in the back, is struggling this season, losing one-on-one battles that he won in previous seasons.
Defensively, Real looked strong at the beginning of the season, but as the issues around the pitch have piled up, that’s clearly given way.
It’s not the only part of the team’s foundation that’s gone awry — discipline also seems to be problematic in recent matches as well. The red cards are tough in and of themselves, but the suspensions make it even more difficult to field a consistent team, something RSL can’t afford during the Gold Cup.
Again in the Columbus match, a Real player lost the plot and got himself sent off; this time, it was Jordan Allen who made a poor tackle and put the team at a disadvantage for the final minutes. Whether or not the disciplinary issues are a result of frustration by the players about what’s happening soccer-wise, they clearly need to be addressed.
There are a lot of things that need to be addressed by the coaching staff, but in this somewhat chaotic season, once one problem is ‘fixed’, another big one seems to crop up.
So what exactly is holding RSL back this season? Maybe it just depends upon the day — who knows?
