SANDY — Wednesday night marked the middle match of a three match in seven-day stretch for Real Salt Lake, the latter two against the best pair of teams in the Western Conference. RSL came into the match having five wins and four draws in their last 10 regular season meetings with Sporting Kansas City.

After a lackluster first 20 minutes of soccer Wednesday night, the Real Salt Lake offense came to life with three goals in the final 25 minutes of the first half. The goals came from three players all under 23 years old: Jefferson Savarino, Corey Baird and Sebastian Saucedo.

RSL, leading 3-1 at the half, saw that lead cut to 3-2 on an Ike Opara goal midway through the second half. Real Salt Lake had a chance to put the match away on a penalty kick by Albert Rusnak in the 84th minute, but Rusnak was too clever with the attempt that was easily saved by KC keeper Tim Melia.

Real Salt Lake survived 7 minutes of stoppage time, and iced the match on a Luis Silva penalty kick in the dying seconds of the match. The win and three points moves RSL to fourth place in the Western Conference with 26 points, nine behind first place FC Dallas who visits on Saturday night.

Real Salt Lake earned and deserved the win. If not for anything else, they kept their composure. Sporting Kansas City lost theirs to the tune of seven yellow cards and two reds, finishing the match two men down.

Here is my hat trick of thoughts on Wednesday's Real Salt Lake win over Kansas City:

The youth movement paying dividends

Real Salt Lake, as an organization, has made a "Real" commitment to academy and player development. It is now taking hold on the field. Five starters Wednesday night for Mike Petke were homegrown talent, including two of the four goal scorers (Baird and Saucedo). Three of the four goals came from players who are under the age of 23.

The emergence of Sebastian Saucedo has pushed Joao Plata to the bench. Real Salt Lake started seven players 23 years old or younger against the best team in the Western Conference, and found a win and three big points. This has always been a transition-type year for Real Salt Lake, with plans on returning to the playoffs. If the team can keep this core of young players intact, it might not be long before RSL is a true player and contender in the West again.

VAR is "VARY" confusing

I must admit that I love the thought of getting calls right, and have always been a fan of using technology to do so. I must also admit that I have no clue how or when VAR is being used by PRO referees. There were at least four times Wednesday night that referee Sorin Stoica could or should have gone to video review for red card and goal-scoring chances. He didn't once make the official signal that VAR was being used.

Real Salt Lake has been victimized at times this year by the use and misuse of video review; Wednesday night, there is no disputing that they benefitted. Major League Soccer needs to take a very hard look at how they are implementing and executing video review this coming offseason.

There must be a better way, perhaps through the use of a central video review location as is used in the NBA, NFL and MLB. This would take the decision away from the on-site referee who is dealing with players, coaches and the crowd. Right now, there appears to be no rhyme or reason as to how and when the PRO refs are utilizing the technology, and this has to change.

The Tale of Two Teams

Real Salt Lake's 4-2 win moves their home record to seven wins, one loss and one draw at home this year, which ties them with NYCFC and FC Dallas for the most points at home this season at 22. Conversely, they have just one win and one draw away from the friendly confines of Rio Tinto Stadium.

If RSL has any hope of being more than just a playoff team in the West this season, it must find a way to get results on the road. Wednesday night was the first of five matches in July for Petke's team. Three of the five were at home and two on the road. The two road matches were against Minnesota and San Jose, a pair of clubs below the playoff line. If RSL can protect the RioT and find results in Minneapolis and San Jose, then it may become a "Real" player in the postseason.

Up next for Real Salt Lake is FC Dallas on Saturday night from Rio Tinto Stadium at 8 p.m. You can catch my broadcast on ESPN 700 and watch the game live on KSL.com.

Related topics