Real Salt Lake follows Manchester City’s footsteps with new strategy in MLS

Real Salt Lake are living a memorable season in Major League Soccer in 2024. Scoring 47 points in 27 games, the team of Pablo Mastroeni is one of the top scorers in the league and has managed an unprecedented run of 15 unbeaten games. But what changed in order to bring the team to this level? It was in the form of a tactical evolution that was instituted at the end of the year 2023, where Mastroeni and his coaching staff decided to drastically change the style of play from that of the club. 

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Tactical evolution

Real Salt Lake finished the 2023 season having adopted more possession-based game models with increased control in central areas and more attacks through the middle. That's really the basis of this, to always be in control, in various phases of the game. That's really become somewhat of an identity of so many successful modern soccer teams.

This approach raised the level of play for RSL and changed how the team placed itself in the field: from a more direct and reactive style, RSL now tries to impose a rhythm in the matches, with rapid and accurate passes in order to outnumber the opponents in every sector of the field. This has given them more possession and, therefore, more control over the games.

How Is RSL using this model?

RSL starts games in a 4-2-3-1, but that morphs rather quickly into a 3-2-4-1 in-game-a shape sometimes more colloquially referred to as the "Christmas Tree" formation. This system has been popularized by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City as a means to pull numerical advantages up and down the pitch-mostly in midfield and the final third.

Certain players, such as Diego Luna, who moves more centrally and Alex Katranis, who goes forward on the wing, allow this system to work. Their movement creates a line of five in attack while the right back drops in to balance with a back three.

This live version allows the RSL to reveal the opponent's weaknesses while in transition themselves, but not their defense. This kind of tactical control has been crucial in their netting 53 goals so far this season, more than in the previous seasons.

The role of new signings

New signings have also been critical to the success of this system. Take the signing of Javain Brown, who has brought defensive solidity to permit license for others like Alex Katranis to get more active in offense. He fit into the RSL style quickly and was excellent at making vertical passes and building plays from the back.

Another huge bright spot has been Australian forward Lachlan Brook, who added not only skill but a bit of desperation up front for RSL. His capability to connect with teammates and develop scoring opportunities added even more layering to the various offensive options of the team.

Another key addition is Diogo Gonçalves, ever-present in the middle of the park. He has been a nightmare to play against with his sharp vision and ability to press the opposition, exceling both offensively and defensively as he's become an indispensable piece of RSL's tactical puzzle.

The tactical edge of the 3-2-4-1

Several advantages have emerged concerning the RSL from the 3-2-4-1 system. Of course, the biggest is the numerical superiority in almost all key areas of the field. At midfield, for instance, a team always has an advantage in man-to-man to move the ball easily and break through the pressure in defense. Up front, the five-man attacking line increases passing options and opens space to shoot finishing chances.

Also, this system allows RSL to be more successful in winning the ball back because organized and aggressive pressing is applied. It was this high tempo of pressure that brought about key matches like the 5-1 win over Austin FC, where RSL dominated from the first minute to the last.

New perspectives

With the momentum of the 2024 season, Real Salt Lake seems to go on the right track, too, with regard to remaining a dominant force in MLS because of the new tactic and the speed at which new signings have adapted to it.

Another advantage that was brought into the squad is depth. Players like Benji Michel and Dominik Marczuk add variety to the attack, ensuring that RSL has options for different situations in different games.