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SANDY — Real Salt Lake striker Devon Sandoval knows that every time he and his fellow forwards step onto the field, they have one job — score goals.
It doesn't make RSL's latest scoring slump any easier to digest, though. The team's last MLS goal from open play was midfielder Luke Mulholland's tally in a 3-1 home loss to Portland on June 7 — a streak of 337 minutes.
There's one way to cure those ailments, Sandoval offered.
"Just finish any opportunity we get. That's all it is; once we get one, the rest will come," Sandoval said. "I am a striker, so it's my job to score. I want to score every game."
Fortunately for RSL, this week's opponent will give them plenty of chances. Pedro Morales, Darren Mattocks and the Vancouver Whitecaps play a fast, open and high attacking style that will provide plenty of space — and chances — for RSL to put the ball in the back of the net.
"They like to attack, and they've got some fast guys, but that leaves them open," Sandoval said of the Canadian team. "I think we will have a lot of opportunity to possess the ball and play our game."
I think that when we're not scoring goals, the attention's turned on the strikers. But really, it's about how we're creating chances and what we're doing to help put those guys in those spots.
–Nat Borchers, RSL defender
Vancouver drew 1-1 with Toronto FC in a midweek match Wednesday, and their style and tired legs may leave them vulnerable to RSL in the first of a lengthy homestand in Sandy.
"I think they kind of play a little bit of Russian roulette, where they do keep numbers forward and they do give up a few opportunities against them," RSL coach Jeff Cassar said. "Really, it comes down to us putting out chances away and killing their game plan of us attacking and then catching us (on a counterattack)."
A sharp run of play up top and a few goals on the scoreboard isn't just the strikers' responsibility, either. Though Joao Plata leads the team with seven goals, Nos. 3, 4 and 5 are RSL midfielders — and every player knows his responsibility in building the attack.
"I think that when we're not scoring goals, the attention's turned on the strikers. But really, it's about how we're creating chances and what we're doing to help put those guys in those spots," RSL defender Nat Borchers said. "That's what will get those guys started and fired up. We've got guys who can score; we just need a good home game to get hot."
Even if the goals don't come from open play, good things happen with an increase in chances, Cassar said. RSL did put two into the back of the net via penalty kicks in a 2-1 home win over New England two weeks ago.
"People say that we haven't scored from the run of play, but if you're getting PKs, that means you are putting pressure on teams and creating those PKs, at least," Cassar said. "I'm pleased with that. We just need to find ways to score goals, whether it's on set plays, a free kick, a breakaway; there are many ways to score."
