RSL breakout, win big at home against San Jose Earthquakes

Real Salt Lake earned all three points against San Jose in dominating fashion, taking care of business at Rio Tinto with a 4-0 win.

Real Salt Lake came into their midweek match against San Jose in need of three points. After earning a brilliant 4-0 win it felt like they walked away with much more than three points. RSL was able to put together another complete performance, both offensively and defensively, as the win helps them stay within reach of the playoffs. Here’s what stood out from the match.

The Attack

Three of RSL’s goals came from counter attacks, two of them involving midfielder Albert Rusnák, while Rusnák also was given the assist that led to Jefferson Savarino’s beautiful curler. Rusnák has been a constant this year for RSL, even early in the year when the club struggled, but this match may have been his most complete game to date.

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It’s no surprise that his high level of play hasn’t gone unnoticed, as once again he was called into Slovakia’s upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. With Rusnák’s continued high-level of play, the rest of the RSL attack has also seen an uptick in recent production. Most notably with Luis Silva, who has scored in three straight matches.

With the three headed monster of Rusnák, Savarino (who also got a World Cup Qualifier with Venezuela), and Joao Plata firing on all cylinders behind a dominant Silva, not only does a postseason birth feel within reach, a subsequent cup run isn’t too hard to imagine.

The Defense

Marcelo Silva was still out for this one. Danny Acosta filled in for Chris Wingert for the only other change from the weekend. Acosta took advantage of his return to the field, as he shut down the left wing while also playing several key passes. All four members of the back line played well, which helps explain how San Jose was only able to manage one shot on goal for the entire match. Their performance was key for another milestone that took place that night,

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And in true Rimando fashion, when asked if he knew how many shutouts he had had the Wall of the Wasatch simply deflected with an answer more focused on the task at hand instead,

"I just found out in the walkway in, I know the numbers are up there for how many years I have been here. I keep saying that every time to the media that what is most important is we need to get as many points as we can. Sitting at 100 shutouts, but it would be nice to get 107 and make it to the playoffs."

It’s been a great year for Rimando (who could also end up getting called in for some World Cup Qualifier in the next few days) and he will definitely be needed for the post-season push.

Real now prepare to host the Rocky Mountain Cup on Saturday, but more importantly, another shot to earn three points.