Real Salt Lake To Make Tactical Adjustement Ahead Of Portland Timbers Clash
Nov 2, 2021, 5:41 PM
Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) protects the ball from Portland Timbers defender Jorge Moreira (2) during the second half of a Major League Soccer playoff game at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake captain Albert Rusnák confirmed that interim manager Pablo Mastroeni has been working with the team on slightly altering the shape of Real Salt Lake ahead of the must-win fixture against Portland.
The tactical change was not disclosed, for obvious reasons. However, Rusnák did confirm that changes have been made on the training pitch to try and fix the defensive shape of the team.
“We have spoken in the last couple of days about some tactical adjustments when we are attacking so that we are going to be less vulnerable on the counter-attack,” Rusnák said.
#RSL captain Albert Rusnák admits that the team has been working on “some tactical adjustments” ahead of the clash with Portland.
More specifically, the defensive shape and structure of the team when #RSL loses possession. pic.twitter.com/O77v6Pibjp
— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) November 2, 2021
Under Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake has scored a lot of goals. The club is playing a brand of football that has not been seen in Utah for a very long time, it is exciting, and it is engaging.
However, the one dilemma that remains present lies in the defensive shape of the team, particularly in transition. Real Salt Lake throws numbers into the attack and often exposes itself defensively when it turns the football over.
The last time Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers played one and another the match ended 6-1 in favor of Portland. Despite the scoreline, Real Salt Lake ended the fixture having two more shots than the Timbers on the evening. Both clubs concluded the game with nine shots on target, yet, Portland dismantled Real Salt Lake 6-1.
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The Timbers are an incredibly good Western Conference side who currently sits in the fourth position. The Timbers are an elite counter-attacking team, they thrive when they force opposing teams to turn the ball over deep in their own half.
Sadly, Real Salt Lake has only been exposed in transition. The reason Real Salt Lake lost 6-1 on September 25 to Portland was because they had no structure or shape behind the football. The Timbers ran straight through Real Salt Lake the second the ball was turned over.
That cannot happen midweek if Real Salt Lake hopes to pick up three points.
