Real Salt Lake Hopes For More Offense Against FC Dallas

Mar 28, 2019, 3:34 PM

Courtesy of RSL

KSL Sports

SANDY, Utah – On the heels of a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to LAFC, there were still plenty of positives to take away for Real Salt Lake.

While lamenting the fact that his team gave up LAFC’s game-winner in stoppage time, RSL head coach Mike Petke was encouraged by his team’s performance.

“At that moment, in front of that crowd and in that atmosphere and against the highest-paying team in the league, you take your hat off,” said Petke. “But then in the locker room I took my hat off to the players. First time I gave a game ball out ever in a loss.”

See you Saturday 😏 pic.twitter.com/h6PlAYgYN7

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 27, 2019

The recipient of the game ball was the team as a whole. According to Petke, they had done everything that he had asked of them and deserved a better result than the one they were given.

As far as he’s concerned, a new standard has been raised for the team.

Hoping For An Offensive Outburst

While the goal is obviously to maintain a high level of competition for every game, midfielder Kyle Beckerman says that every week presents a new challenge.

“Every game is different,” said Beckerman. “We’re going to go into this game and our gameplan is going to be totally different against (LAFC).”

RSL has started the season with a heavy defensive emphasis. The goals haven’t come easy for the club as they been outscored 8-3 in four games so far. Beckerman is hopeful that the team’s attack will continue to develop as the season progresses.

"The effort was pretty amazing from everyone." pic.twitter.com/m3jIpwGRYZ

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 28, 2019

“If we could score right away, we would, we’re trying to. But it just seems liket he offensive end is a bit harder until you get into form. So hopefully we can have an outbreak this weekend and then ride that momentum going into the rest of the season,” said Beckerman.

RSL’s opponent this weekend, FC Dallas, has had a bit more success on the offensive end, with five goals in four games this season. They’re led by Michael Barrios, who has two of the team’s goals.

Emphasis On The Academy

Like RSL, FC Dallas has depended heavily on Homegrown Players this season. According to Beckerman, he sees this pattern of developing young players through the academy as the next wave in team building.

Honoring our history.

📄: https://t.co/ZMNHG8s5lw pic.twitter.com/gP4Q36lh1i

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 28, 2019

“You’re starting to see teams go different ways and it looks like Dallas and us are committed to the academy and having them coming through and then reap those rewards as they keep maturing and getting older,” said Beckerman.