Hackett: It Was Not Always Pretty But A Point On The Road Is A Big Win For RSL
Feb 29, 2020, 6:06 PM
Photo courtesy: Real Salt Lake
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake are off and running in the 2020 MLS season. After a somewhat dismal first half against Orlando City on the road, the second half was far more promising and RSL managed to pinch a point on the road in their first encounter of the season. It was a big win for the Claret and Cobalt and manager Freddy Juarez who for many seasons, has struggled to produce results on the road.
Real Salt Lake opened the 2020 season against Orlando with many new faces. Zack MacMath beat Andrew Putna and David Ochoa out for the starting goalkeeper job following the retirement of MLS great Nick Rimando. Tate Schmitt got the nod to start on the wing, much to the surprise of many loyal followers. Other changes from 2019 included Justen Glad starting at right back, pushing Aaron Herrera onto the right wing allowing Marcelo Silva and Nedum Onuoha to anchor the heart of the backline. Glad and Herrera have both played their youth soccer at their new respected positions.
The opening handful of games is always very confusing. Very seldom do teams play their best brand of soccer during the first month of the season. RSL was exactly that in their first hit out of 2020.
We can use the excuse that it was the first real contest of the season all we want. However, the bottom line is that we are talking about professionals, who are paid a lot of money to perform whenever they are asked to do so.
Aaron Herrera did not offer anything on the wing and Justen Glad seemed reckless at right back. Early signs suggest that that experiment may not last long. Consequently, Glad was taken off for Corey Baird
Tate Schmitt clearly still needs more time and work on the training pitch. His defensive effort was poor and his touch on the ball (which is his strength) was not adequate. Maybe it was just some early season nerves? Regardless, RSL has too much attacking talent to wait for young players to produce.
Donny Toia continues to have a hard time maintaining possession. Maintaining possession under Freddy Juarez is paramount with the style and system he wants to play.
Now, with all that said, the start of the second half was promising. RSL controlled the tempo of the match and forced Orlando to turn the ball over due to the high press of RSL.
Freddy Juarez has been open about his ideal style of play, we saw it towards the end of last year, keep the ball on the deck and control the tempo. Wear the opponent down so that as the game goes on, the chances grow. As expected, the opening game showed glimpses of dominance as well as patches of concern.
Congratulations to Freddy Juarez who proved that this team has the guts and determination to pick up a hard-fought result on the road. Promosing signs for RSL fans.
