Real Salt Lake Tired Of Waiting, Ready For Battle In Pacific Northwest
Nov 18, 2021, 2:58 PM
Real Salt Lake defender Aaron Herrera (22) looks up field in a MSL match on June 23, 2021 between Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake has recovered from its grueling regular-season home stretch and is ready to take the pitch again.
The final five regular-season games for Real Salt Lake were played over a 16-day window. The final game against Sporting Kansas City showcased a number of very tired legs, and uncharacteristic mistakes by a handful of players given the lack of energy.
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Prior to the decision day battle, interim manager Pablo Mastroeni admitted that his team was exhausted. However, the thrill of upsetting western conference rivals on decision day proved valuable as Real Salt Lake stole a 1-0 victory with the final kick of the game and subsequently the final kick of the regular season.
A look back at our best moments in the #MLSCupPlayoffs ⬇️
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 16, 2021
Immediately following that dramatic affair, Major League Soccer, along with the rest of the professional soccer world, entered a two-week FIFA international window. Real Salt Lake has not played a game since.
That will inevitably change on November 23rd when Real Salt Lake takes a trip to the pacific northwest for a date with the Seattle Sounders. That game cannot come soon enough according to heralded defender Aaron Herrera.
“I think I speak on behalf of everybody that we are ready to get back on the pitch and play. We enjoyed a few days’ rest, but have been back at it for a while now and are ready to take on Seattle. We are done with training.”
The extended break could not have come at a better time for Real Salt Lake. The grueling end to the regular season required the Real players to rest. It also allowed captain Albert Rusnák to play for his national team Slovakia and get more minutes under his belt, he also happened to score a brace which will only help his confidence (not that he needs any help in that regard).
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The more time Mastroeni and his staff get to prepare for Seattle the better. The longer the players get to rest and return to full health the better.
Real Salt Lake seems poised to cause disruption against Seattle and send former manager Freddy Juarez packing his bags for an early offseason.
Can you imagine!?
Match Info
Real Salt Lake will next travel to Seattle for a date with Freddy Juarez and the Sounders. The single-elimination game will be a part of the first round of the MLS Playoffs with the winner advancing while the loser is eliminated.
The kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on November 23rd and will be broadcast via FS1.
