Real Salt Lake Manager Freddy Juarez Looking To Simplify After Complicated 2020 Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – When life gets tough it can also get complicated very quickly. Unfortunately, the turmoil in which Real Salt Lake faced a year ago ruffled the feathers of the organization and led to a deplorable 11th place finish in the Western Conference.

“I’ve gone back and looked at my principles and made them simpler,” Manager Freddy Juarez explained. “Sometimes I think as an individual you overthink things, I for sure have. Making it simpler doesn’t mean that it is less quality. In reality when I try to explain things to people the simpler the better so I have to take a step back and remind myself that is it just a game,” Juarez added.

The club’s finish a year ago was the worst in club history. But, the club also endured countless off-the-field scandals that disrupted an already scattered season.

Week 1️⃣ 
Done ✅

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 15, 2021

The global pandemic called for multiple halts to the 2020 MLS season, however, the club also was without an owner for the second half of the season following allegations of racism and bigoted behavior by Dell Loy Hansen around the workplace. Consequently, the league conducted an investigation and Mr Hansen ultimately announced that he will look to sell the club.

Without question, the off-the-pitch drama rattled the coaching staff and playing group. They may not have admitted it then, but the negative press in which the club was receiving had a direct impact on everything that was produced on the pitch.

In the 15 years that RSL has been a member of MLS, the 2020 season was as dark of a time for the club as it has ever seen. It had reached its lowest point.

The year 2021 will be significant for more than one reason. Firstly, the club will look to respond from its disastrous 2020 campaign. The club will also return Manager Freddy Juarez who enters his second season at the helm.

Putting in that work pic.twitter.com/bYuybNctTV

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 14, 2021

While the club is still without an owner, you get a sense that the environment surrounding the club is far brighter. The players and staff are acting as though they are breathing fresh air. The weight of pressure is now off their shoulders and 2021 signifies a new season for them to better themselves.

Furthermore, the signings of Anderson Julio and Rubio Rubin to the attacking third have energized the group. The projected signing of USA international Bobby Wood will likely galvanize the playing group and fan base alike.

“The simpler I can explain my principles whether it is through my terminology, through video or through my verbiage and how I explain it to them. The simpler I can do that, the simpler the exercise can be, the better it can be. That has taken some learning and I am still not done with that yet. There are going to be times when I feel as though I did not get that right. But I think you’re right, can we explain it easier for the guys to grasp?” Juarez concluded when responding to Tom Hackett’s question via Zoom last Friday.

RSL is preparing for their first regular-season game of the 2021 MLS season on April 24th with a road trip to Minnesota. The first home game of the 2021 MLS season will be against arch-rivals Sporting Kansas City on May 1st with kickoff scheduled for noon.

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