RSL: Real Salt Lake keeps postseason hopes alive with another statement win

Entering another must win match against a tough opponent, RSL overcame the odds and kept their chances at a playoff spot on the tables.

In yet another cold and wet match with the threat of snow coming into play, Real Salt Lake came out against the visiting Seattle Sounders in need of three points. The Sounders brought with them a 13 game unbeaten streak along with a superior position in the Western Conference table. Neither of which seemed to affect RSL. Here are some things that stood out in the 2-0 RSL victory.

More Free Flowing Attack

With Luis Silva missing this match thanks to injury, youngster Brooks Lennon got the start up top. Similar to Silva, Lennon regularly dropped back into the midfield with Albert Rusnák, Joao Plata, and Jefferson Savarino, creating space and pulling out the Seattle centerbacks from in front of the goal. The movement allowed for more pretty combinations that RSL has been known for in recent weeks. Both Savarino and Luke Mulholland finished their chances, providing the difference for RSL.

Seattle brought plenty of firepower to match, but the RSL back line did well in keep the Sounders off the board, given a hefty helping hand from Nick Rimando. Rimando had four saves on the night, several of which were spectacular. The combined efforts of everyone on the field was enough to come away with all three points in statement fashion.

Looking Ahead

Arguably the biggest takeaway of the night happened outside of the Salt Lake Valley. Almost every team RSL needed to lose in the Western Conference, lost. FC Dallas continues to crumble, San Jose was upset on the road, and only Houston was able to earn any points as they drew on the road against NYCFC. RSL now sit in fifth place, just behind Seattle, and won’t have any midweek matches compared to the teams around them. The club then heads on the road to face the west’s bottom-dwellers in the Galaxy and the Rapids before closing out the season at home against rival Sporting Kansas City.

Next: Sporting KC set aim for MLS Cup

They’ve put themselves in a good position, but will need to keep winning matches to ensure a chance at the postseason. With the opponents, how they’ve been playing, and the week break between games, it seems that RSL should be able to pull it off, but they will still need other teams to keep tripping up while not stumbling themselves.