Real Salt Lake’s Latest Humiliation Leaves Fanbase Pondering
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake have been humbled by MLS newcomers St Louis City SC, who remain the only undefeated club in the league.
Manager Pablo Mastroeni was limited with the players available to him due to an extended injury list and an international window. Colombia international Brayan Vera made his debut alongside Justen Glad at centre-back, while recently drafted full-back Emeka Eneli also made his debut at right-back.
Concerns for Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake’s concerns are high. The team, albeit exhausted, struggled to put passes together in the offensive third. They looked confused with very little chemistry. Easy passes looked difficult, and heavy touches remained common.
The last third was somber. Very few opportunities have been created by Real Salt Lake. There is no creativity, there seems to be no motivation or conviction.
Mastroeni said it best in his post-match press conference: “When you score the first goal, you have confidence, you have confidence and you double your performance. If you admit, now you have a little doubt.”
When Real Salt Lake conceded the opening goal of the game against St. Louis in the 47th minute, doubt crossed the faces of the Claret and Cobalt porters. Arms up, shoulders sag and heads turn.
The goal conceded at the start of the game clearly took its toll on Real Salt Lake.
Even worse? Those who play for the crest didn’t react in front of their home fans, on the pitch they know it better than anyone.
Real Salt Lake remained stagnant, uncreative and lacking in urgency.
In the first four games, Real Salt Lake have conceded nine goals and scored only three of their own. Two of those came in the opening game of the season.
Changes need to be made, additions need to be purchased
But the 2023 season is far from over. The season is just beginning and the front office has compiled a roster of many talented players. Andrés Gómez and Jefferson Savarino are dynamic on both wings, and Damir Kreilach plays a boost as an attacking midfielder. Brayan Vera looked like an upgrade from Marcelo Silva on his debut against St. Louis. Andrew Brody will continue to fly up and down his respective side of the pitch. Braian Ojeda, Jasper Loeffelsend and Pablo Ruiz can complement each other in the heart of midfield.
But Real Salt Lake are also missing key players, and if the front office doesn’t address those issues before the transfer window closes, the side will likely fall further down the Western Conference rankings.
Real Salt Lake doesn’t have a capable striker. Rubio Rubin, Axel Kei and Anderson Julio are players who can show a touch of brilliance, but they are not players Mastroeni can rely on to score goals. The front needs to spend money on a dynamic striker.
The front office also needs to support the midfield with a strong defensive player. Ojeda, Loffelsend and Ruiz all enjoy being on the pitch and helping out in the attacking third. Of course they are all attacking midfielders. The club needs an enforcer, a leader, a Kyle Beckerman-esque figure. It has become far too easy for opposing teams to assert themselves in Real Salt Lake’s midfield.
These additions should have come during the off-season, they didn’t. Now the club and its fanbase collectively hold their breath for the front office to correct their earlier mistakes. The transfer window closes on April 24.
The other alternative is that Mastroeni changes the shape of the lineup. Instead of playing offensively in 4-2-3-1, he might consider playing three-pointers over the back again. A 3-4-3 could help cement the midfield’s inability to pursue and cover, while playing three across the front offers the forward additional help.
Regardless, something has to change. The first four games of the 2023 season have proven to be an uphill battle and as such the front office, coaching staff and playing group must all pull together to find a solution.
Next, Real Salt Lake travels to Colombus for a date with the crew. This encounter is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at 5:30 p.m