Second-division Silverbacks again await RSL to open US Open Cup


3 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

ATLANTA — One could hardly blame Real Salt Lake’s players, coaches and staff if they were looking forward to Major League Soccer’s three-week break during the 2014 World Cup.

Except for one problem: there is no break.

RSL (6-2-7 in MLS play) returns to play Saturday to take on the Atlanta Silverbacks at 6 p.m. MT at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. The match will be streamed live on realsaltlake.com.

RSL knows well its opponent from the second-division North American Soccer League. RSL faced Atlanta a year ago in Open Cup play, a game that saw the hosts win 3-2 in extra time amid less-than-dry conditions in Salt Lake City.

“It was raining and it was a really bad day for weather,” said RSL defender Nat Borchers, who did not play in last year’s match. “I remember, again, in Open Cup, anything can happen. It seems like there are a lot of goals, no matter how well you defend. It just depends on how you respond in those pressure situations.”

The Salt Lake side is 9-9-0 all-time in Open Cup play, including 5-2 against lower-division teams. Both losses have come to second-division Minnesota.

Newcomers to the team are also familiar with Atlanta, which is coached by former U.S. men’s national team star Eric Wynalda. Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella faced the Silverbacks several times while playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, including on his way to an NASL title in 2012.

Second-division Silverbacks again await RSL to open US Open Cup
Photo: Scott G Winterton/Deseret News file photo

Teammate Luke Mulholland was also on Attinella’s 2012 Rowdies squad, and both players were named to the NASL’s Best XI following the season.

“You have to treat it well. I’ve played in that division, and in Atlanta a lot; it’s a tough place to get a win,” Attinella said. “They are going to have a really good crowd there, and the field isn’t quite what we’re used to up here. If we approach it any other way, we are in for a wake-up call.

“You have to approach it like a real game against a good team, because that’s what they are.”

RSL’s Jeff Cassar knows Atlanta, too — though an earlier incarnation of the squad. The first-year head coach played for the A- League’s Silverbacks in 2002, featuring in six games in between stints with England’s Bolton Wanderers and FC Dallas.

“I know (Wynalda) is going to want to win this game,” Cassar said. “Any time you are playing against a lower-division team, it’s a chance for their players and coaches to show that they belong in our league. Eric’s had an amazing career, and he’s doing a great job with Atlanta, and I have no doubt that he’ll end up in the MLS at some point.”

Still, Cassar admits it would’ve been nice to take some extra time off — if for no other reason than to rest key injury absences Ned Grabavoy and Robbie Findley. RSL just finished a three-game trip in eight days that included two games on the road.

“I’d rather have a break,” Cassar said. “It’s not me, personally, but I’d love to give the players a mental or physical break to recharge the batteries. After Atlanta, we’re going to give them a few days off … to get away from the game. But it’s tough, when you play so many games in a short period of time.”

The Silverbacks narrowly lost out on the league title a year ago, falling to the New York Cosmos 1-0 in the NASL Soccer Bowl — a game hosted by Atlanta. Forward Jaime Chavez leads the league with eight goals scored, but Atlanta (3-5-1, 8th place) has leaked 20 goals on the season, as well.

RSL will be playing on a brand-new turf field at a park that seats 5,000 fans that will likely include several supporters of Atlanta’s unnamed MLS expansion club in 2016. The winner of RSL-Atlanta will face the winner of Colorado-Orlando on June 25.

“There will be a lot of challenges with this game,” Cassar said. “But we’re confident in what we have.”

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

SportsReal Salt Lake
Sean Walker

    ARE YOU GAME?

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast