Frustration, optimism around RSL’s home draw with 10-man Orlando


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SANDY — Real Salt Lake coach Jeff Cassar didn’t use the words “must-win” to describe last week’s clash against Eastern Conference expansion team Orlando City SC, but the indication was clear.

Yet when the whistle sounded on RSL’s 1-1 draw with the 10-man Lions after Kaka was sent off with a red card near halftime on Saturday night, the second-year head coach didn’t go so far as to utter the word “disappointment,” either.

“We have to get three points at home. But our attitude was right, and the way we approached the game was right,” Cassar said after the match. “We just didn’t have that final 10 yards. I can’t fault the guys’ effort; it was tremendous. We tried, and maybe a better choice here or there and it’s a different night.”

Still, RSL (5-6-8, 23 points) has had plenty of similar nights in the 2015 season, one marked by a run of less-than-ideal-but-not-always-bad results for a club trying to navigate a transition from the old guard of the 2009 MLS Cup champions to a youth-based system that has played all but two player on its 28-man rosters halfway through the MLS season.

The Salt Lake club is only four points behind the playoff line in July — but sixth-place Sporting Kansas City has three games in hand against RSL, as well. More concerning, of RSL’s eight ties, six of them have come at home.

In other words, time — if not the result — has begun to slip away.

“Obviously, it’s a frustrating result,” RSL defender Tony Beltran said candidly. “I think having the man advantage the entire half leaves us disappointed. We were pushing for the goal, but the final ball wasn’t there. Maybe that’s an issue of fatigue from so many games. But still, it’s inexcusable at home. The situation was what we needed, it was there for us to take it, and we did not.”

Orlando City SC forward Kaka is shown a red card after committing a foul against Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on July 4, 2015. (Photo: Chris Samuels/Deseret News)
Orlando City SC forward Kaka is shown a red card after committing a foul against Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on July 4, 2015. (Photo: Chris Samuels/Deseret News)

There were moments when the players were running on fumes, finishing off the final game of a run of six matches across all competitions in 18 days. But other teams have busy stretches during the season, and few of them drop points at home, as well.

RSL has two wins in eight league games dating back to May 23 against New York City FC. Add in a pair of U.S. Open Cup matches in that time — both wins, but both time consuming as well — and the grind was clear during a busy June.

Maybe, then, a week with only one match — Saturday’s Rocky Mountain Cup clash at Colorado — will do the club some good.

“We can work on some things and get the guys some rest,” said Cassar, who gave his players Sunday and Monday off practice. “But our team is feeling very good about themselves right now. We don’t feel good about dropping points at home, but we’re playing aggressively, and defensively we are in good spots.

“I want to keep this rolling. Our bodies need a break, but at the same time when you are starting to feel it, you have to keep it going.”

The packed schedule isn’t over, either. After Saturday, RSL once again will sandwich a midweek Open Cup quarterfinal against L.A. Galaxy on July 14 in between league matches against the Rapids and Houston. The club will also begin the CONCACAF Champion’s League soon enough, starting Aug. 4 at Guatemala’s Municipal and including group stage dates on Sept. 15, Sept. 24 and Oct. 20.

There was frustration and disappointment floating around the bowels of Rio Tinto Stadium following last weekend’s draw. But the players and coaches also expressed optimism — if not for the results, then for the way they were playing. Forward Sebastian Jaime continues his run of form, scoring a goal in four-straight home matches to lead his squad.

“I don’t think anyone is happy with the result,” RSL goalkeeper Jeff Attinella said. “The fans showed up, and did a great job. There are definitely positives to take away from this, but I think everyone is down we got one point.

“Now it’s back to the drawing board. We have to get back and prepare for Colorado, to take care of business.”

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