Real Salt Lake Relies On Defensive Structure To Create Goal Scoring Opportunities

May 25, 2021, 3:56 PM

Photo courtesy: Real Salt Lake

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The key to creating more attacking opportunities in 2021 for Real Salt Lake has been maintaining a defensive structure and shape.

Structure Is Just The Start

In 2021, RSL has been a far more dangerous attacking team and has been able to execute in a multitude of ways. Whether they are operating in a counter-attack, building from the backline, or trying to score from set-pieces, RSL has looked far more dangerous and creative than they did a year ago.

The additions of Rubio Rubin, Anderson Julio have certainly aided their efforts. While the arrival of Andrew Brody and assistant coaches Pablo Mastroeni and Matt Taylor have been influential.

We are not worthy. All hail the king 👑 pic.twitter.com/5X3Y48GR08

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 25, 2021

But personnel can only get you so far. Strategy, structure, shape, and leadership are required to play the brand of soccer Freddy Juarez hopes for.

“The way I see it is that offense starts from the backline,” winger Justin Meram said. “I think when you understand spacing and understanding the rotation of players when you have the ball in your own half it creates chances going forward and I think we have done an exceptional job of that this year.”

A Complete Turnaround

Last season, RSL struggled to create goal-scoring chances. The movement in the attacking third was stagnant and the club looked awkward when it transitioned into their attacking third.

This year, however, there is a sense of fluidity to the ball movement of RSL. They look structured and direct, yet, still play with a sense of freedom.

Last season #RSL only scored 24% of their goals in the first half of matches. This season the team has scored 62.5% of their goals in the first half. #RSLStats

— Charles Barnard (@ccb1212) May 23, 2021

First Half Woes Vanished

Conceding the first goal in 2020 was a big issue for RSL. This year, that worry is long gone as RSL has scored the first goal of the game in three of the five games played thus far. The only time that RSL has conceded the first goal of the match was against Sporting Kansas City in the home opener on May 1st, and unlike last year, RSL was able to respond by scoring three consecutive goals to prevail 3-1 victors.

The defensive structure was adjusted over the offseason by Juarez. In 2021, RSL is playing with two holding midfielders and those two players are being asked to defend deeper than they were a year ago.

Pablo Ruiz has played every minute of every game thus far and has been paramount in moving the ball from the backline into the attack. His wicked left foot can pinpoint targets anywhere on the pitch.

Last season #RSL scored one time between the 30th-45th minutes in matches. This season the team has already scored 4 times during the same time period. #RSLStats

— Charles Barnard (@ccb1212) May 23, 2021

Tempo, Tempo, Tempo

But by throwing more numbers into defensive positions, the club can then utilize more space as it quickly transitions forward. When the ball movement moves swiftly and smoothly, Rubio Rubin, Anderson Julio, and others have been pouncing on the opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net.

Fast north-south ball movement also provides challenges to opposing defenders who are required to make educated, yet, fast decisions.

Then, when RSL wants to slow down the speed of the game, they can do so. They flick the ball from one sideline to the other and through constant movement utilize pockets of space created by the movement of teammates.

Through five games, only one team has departed a fixture against RSL victorious; San Jose Earthquakes, and even then, the Quakes relied on two late goals from super-sub Wondolowski to win.

The current health of the club is promising. Despite multiple years filled with scandal and adversity, the club now feels somewhat settled and content. Juarez has his assistants and despite lack-of-ownership dilemmas, the front office has added valuable assets to the roster.

The locker room, from all reports, remains healthy and the playing group has trust in the coaching staff. Outside of Albert Rusnak’s questionable early form, life at RSL could not be better.