Real Salt Lake Suffer Midweek Defeat On The Road Against Seattle Sounders FC

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road against the best team in the Western Conference, the Seattle Sounders.

Interestingly, RSL manager Freddy Juarez opted for a starting XI that included multiple players who have not played many minutes in 2020. Sam Johnson, Justin Portillo, Nick Besler, Tate Schmitt and Erik Holt all started for Juarez in a very important road contest against the best team in the conference.

Tonight’s XI pic.twitter.com/XPcdpFI27D

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 8, 2020

The formation changed for Juarez and RSL as well. When RSL had the football play conducted a 3-5-2 and when Seattle had possession RSL dropped into a 5-3-2.

The match began and RSL was immediately under pressure. Jordan Morris scored within the first 45 seconds only for the assistant referee to raise his flag and deem Morris offside.

The entire fanbase blew a collective sigh of relief.

It was evident from the get to that RSL was looking to get to halftime with a 0-0 scoreline and despite a positive half an hour of play from RSL, the class of Jordan Morris prevailed yet again as he tapped in the opening goal of the match in the 28th minute.

A closer look. 👀

What a team effort on this @JmoSmooth13 goal! #SoundersMatchday | #SEAvRSL pic.twitter.com/S109bOrpnU

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) October 8, 2020

Second Half

The second half began as poorly as the first half did for RSL with the visiting team looking lost, specifically when the ball entered the box in the air.

Roldan missed a tap in after Tate Schmitt had no awareness that Seattle’s dangerous number seven was lurking and easily got in behind Schmitt only to miss the half volley wide left from the six-yard box.

Minutes later, Will Bruin had a wide-open header that made Andrew Putna earn his paycheck as the ball ricocheted off of Putna’s chest.

You could sense that a goal was coming for Seattle, and that goal was going to be scored via a delivery into the area.

Lone and behold, Seattle would ultimately score their second goal of the match from a Lodeiro free-kick that found the head of Gomez’s head. Erik Holt decided to defend the top of the box as opposed to focusing his attention on the six-yard area where the Seattle players were all making their runs.

“Somebody has to take responsibility and we will have a look at in on film and sort it out,” Andrew Putna said.

Please watch Erik Holt here. Blue boots. Just watch. WHY IS HE DEFENDING THE TOP OF THE BOX? He was in front of Yeimar who ended up scoring. https://t.co/JcQE1VCRFu

— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) October 8, 2020

It was 2-0 Seattle and RSL looked toast.

However, Juarez went to his bench and it paid off. Sam Johnson and Corey Baird were benched for Douglas Martinez Jr. and Maikel Chang. Minutes later, Chang played a dangerous ball intended for Martinez Jr. Seattle’s center-back Tolo panicked and attempted to clear the ball for a corner kick but found the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Late Life For RSL

Remarkably, RSL found themselves down just one goal with 20 minutes remaining.

69' we'll take it!!!

2-1 #SEAvRSL pic.twitter.com/PbUMdexcgf

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 8, 2020

Could it be that for a second time this season RSL come back and pinch a point against Seattle?

Unfortunately, Seattle had learned their lesson following the first match heroics from Pablo Ruiz and took home all three points.

It was a valiant effort from RSL considering the inexperience starting lineup. Winning on the road in MLS is never easy, let alone at Century Link Field against the best team in the Western Conference.

“I am disappointed in the result, but I was incredibly proud of the effort that the guys showed tonight,” Juarez said during his post-game press conference.

Next Match

RSL will return home and begin their preparations for an away fixture against Vancouver this upcoming Saturday evening. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

You can watch the match on sports.ksl.com or on the KSL TV app.