Real Salt Lake Assistant Coach Matt Taylor Speaks On Upcoming Matchup
Mar 3, 2023, 1:36 PM | Updated: 1:49 pm
CARSON, CA - JULY 2: Ramon Ramirez #7 and Matt Taylor #19 of Chivas USA defend the midfield against Scott Buete #22 of the Chicago Fire during their MLS game at Home Depot Center on July 2, 2005 in Carson, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
(Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake’s Assistant Coach Matt Taylor spoke about the season-opener and the upcoming Seattle Sounders matchup in a recent interview.
Taylor has been an assistant coach for RSL since 2021.
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Real Salt Lake is starting its season with two road games in the Pacific Northwest. Taylor explained that the team has prepared to fight through adversity.
“We prepared all preseason,” Taylor said. “That’s a part of who we are. Preparing ourselves for adversity makes us strong. When things don’t go our way, how do we react? I think that’s what sets us apart in this league.”
RSL prides itself on its ability to be mentally tough. They see potential setbacks as opportunities for a comeback.
“Mentality,” Taylor said. “It goes into everything we do as a team and as a group. We don’t let the little things that we can’t control hold us down. We focus on the details and we’ve done a good job of dealing with difficult situations the past couple of years.”
The Lions won their first game of the season against the Vancouver Whitecaps. After trailing for the first 70 minutes, they scored two goals in a matter of minutes to take the lead.
“It’s a great feeling when the group can say ‘there is something about us’,” Taylor said. “When you go into game one, you never know what to expect. We had a rough first half and turned it on in the second half. That’s an experience we can rally around.”
Taylor thinks that the first game is a building block for what could be a successful season.
“We got the quality and we got the mentality,” Taylor said. “It’s a great start. We can use this as a foundation moving forward.”
About Matt Taylor, Real Salt Lake Assistant Coach
Matt Taylor played soccer for the UCLA Bruins from 2000-2003.
Taylor was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards with the 4th overall pick in the 2004 MLS Draft.
Taylor dealt with numerous injuries at the beginning of his professional career. He played in the MLS until 2007 before going to play in the USASA.
He then played professionally in Germany until 2017 before making his transition to coaching.
Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.
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