Real Salt Lake: 3 Key Takeaways from Red Bulls match
Despite missing several starters and key players, Real Salt Lake were able to hold on to force a draw in their road contest against New York Red Bulls. Here are three takeaways from the week 4 match-up in MLS play.
In Daryl Shore’s debut as the lead man, and with Real Salt Lake missing key pieces all across the field, RSL was able to force a draw on the road against Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, where RB have a 15 match unbeaten streak. Both sides had several chances to break the stalemate, but neither were able to capitalize. The draw brings RSL’s season record to 0-2-2. Here are three takeaways from the contest.
Still no goals.
The goal drought for Real Salt Lake continues, but it hasn’t been for lack of chances. RSL had five shots on goal in this one, but were unable to find the back of the net. The club botched a three on one opportunity in the eighth minute that should have put Real up early on. In the second half, Yura Movsisyan also poorly hit a chip over Luis Robles after a poor Red Bulls’ giveaway, which should have led to a goal.
The missed chances are sadly becoming a common trend. These are just two of the most recent examples, but a lack of finishing has been constant in the goal drought. Finishing has been the most frustrating aspect of RSL’s play of late, where everything else seems to be coming together for the Claret & Cobalt. Going back to the mid-season last year, Real had the pieces to make a deep run, but dropped result after result with their inability to score.
Joao Plata’s presence in the attack is noticeably visible, but Brooks Lennon and Sebastian Saucedo showed promise for the second straight week. Once Plata is healthy, getting all three of them on the field should be the top priority for Daryl Shore, or whoever the coach is by then. Pairing Plata up top with Yura and having Lennon, Saucedo, and Albert Rusnák behind them could be the key to ending the goal drought and opening up the floodgates.
Only DC United, who have yet to score in 2017, have less goals than Real Salt Lake in MLS play. The club will have a chance to turn things around this week, as they continue their road trip by visiting MLS newcomer Minnesota United. Minnesota have had a rough start in their debut season. The Loons have given up a staggering 18 goals in just four games. RSL should have a good chance to really get things on track and build some momentum and confidence moving forward.
Another strong showing defensively.
The RSL back-line was a different combination, again, in the club’s fourth game. Aaron Maund made his MLS debut, while Tony Beltran missed this one with a back injury. Veteran Chris Wingert stepped in again for his third start, all three coming at a different position. Left-back Demar Phillips showed great improvement after last week, and the pairing of Aaron Maund and Chris Schuler showed a lot of promise.
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Aaron Maund looked every bit of his old self in his debut, returning from a toe injury near the end of last season. Both Maund and Schuler had a goal saving tackle on Red Bulls’ counters, and both did well in locking down Bradley Wright-Phillips. While the back-line is still hindered with injury, week after week the defensive depth have been able to step in and show well. Hopefully Maund and Schuler are able to build next week on their strong showing together, and more importantly the club can get healthy.
RSL newcomer and Nick Rimando back-up, Matt Van Oekel showed well in his MLS debut. The defense in front of Van Oekel kept away a lot of the danger, but the 2016 NASL Golden Glove winner definitely stepped up when called upon. Red Bulls upped the pressure in the second half, but Van Oekel came away with three very impressive saves to keep them off the board. All three shots looked to be for sure goals, but were stopped before crossing the line. The impressive saves earned Van Oekel a well deserved Man of the Match.
Nick Rimando should be back this weekend after being with the USMNT in World Cup Qualifying, but it is good to know that Matt Van Oekel is capable of filling in on short notice. With things going so well defensively in the first four games, despite relying on who most would consider depth players, the inability of RSL to score has been accented even more.
Still no update on the coaching job
Daryl Shore earned a hard-earned point in his MLS head coaching debut. MLS Analyst, Matt Doyle, revealed on Extra Time Radio that RSL was in discussions with Gio Savarese, head coach of the New York Cosmos of the NASL. This echoes the sentiment of RSL analyst Brian Dunseth, who told Bill Riley of ESPN 700 that Savarese should be the name at the top of RSL’s list.
Savarese opened NASL play this weekend, and would need to be bought out of his current contract. Team owner Dell Loy Hansen told RSL beat writer Chris Kamrani in a recent interview that he is aware of the demand for MLS owners to continue and increase spending in order to stay competitive. Whether or not that spending involves a contract buyout for Savarese remains to be seen.
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For now, Daryl Shore is still the man in charge. This will be his first full week as the man in charge and give’s him a chance to put his own touch on the squad. Shore is off to a good start after earning a tough road point, and if he can get the RSL engine turning he could land himself a long-term position.