Nick Rimando Was Fantastic Against New York, Despite Conceding Four Goals
Jun 3, 2019, 2:14 PM | Updated: 2:15 pm
(Photo Courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
(Photo Courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
SANDY, Utah – Things went from bad to worse for Real Salt Lake this past week.
After a disappointing 2-1 loss to Montreal on the road, the Claret and Cobalt took a short flight to New York only to be embarrassed 4-0 on Saturday night.
RSL was tied 0-0 at halftime and looked to be in a chance to pick up a much needed, and valuable point on the road. However, the second half was atrocious as RBNY controlled every aspect of the game. Between the 58 and 64 minutes, three goals were conceded as Marcelo Silva (own goal), Daniel Royer and Michael Murillo all scored to put the game to bed. The final goal was scored with just seven minutes left on the clock as Omir Fernandez put the icing on the cake for the hosts.
Here is how the players were rated after the loss, on a scale of 0-10.
0-5: The player did not play well or did not get enough minutes to judge performance correctly.
6-7: The player played well, but had moments where they did not make good decisions.
8-9: The player was very impressive, had very few mistakes and offered a lot of production.
10: The player played a perfect game. No mistakes, everything the player touched turned to gold.
Goalkeeper
Nick Rimando, 8
Rimando was the best player on the pitch for RSL against the Red Bulls. The first half consisted of Rimando making multiple saves to help the visitors go into half time tied 0-0. Unfortunately, the second half was not favorable to the greatest MLS goalkeeper of all-time as he conceded four goals. Regardless, Rimando still made six saves over the course of the match.
🐐things pic.twitter.com/HC3WSHdFd8
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 1, 2019
Right Back: Brooks Lennon, 6
Lennon had a hot and cold night. He would look like the future of right back for RSL and then do something silly and subtract all of the good work he had done previously. Lennon’s poor positioning was directly involved in a number of goals, specifically on the Red Bulls second goal after RSL turned the ball over in the middle of the field, Lennon was far to slow getting back defensively. He is playing out of position, and it is evident.
Center Back: Marcelo Silva, 7
Silva’s first half performance was respectable, his second half was not. It all started going downhill 58 minutes in after Silva put the ball into his own net for an own goal after an Aaron Herrera attempted clear deflected into Silva. He has been unavailable due to injury as of late and the lack of playing experience showed against the Red Bulls. Silva was able to muster six aerial wins and four interceptions.
Center Back: Nedum Onuoha, 7
Onuoha did not have a great game, but was still the best defender on the pitch for RSL. Much like the other defenders, was bombarded with New York’s attacks and eventually the defense broke. Onuoha notched five interceptions.
Left Back: Aaron Herrera, 5
Herrera was back to playing out of position at left back and it showed. Despite having six interceptions, Herrera also turned the ball over in RSL’s half 11 times. Onwards and upwards for the young homegrown product. It would be surprising to see Herrera play at left back again this season.
Center Midfield: Everton Luiz, 6
Luiz returned to the starting XI for the first time since April 13th. He commited three fouls and turned the ball over six times in his own half, without question the touch and skill we saw of Luiz early in the season is not there right now. Simply due to the MCL sprain he suffered against Orlando City and the time he has spent away from the game with recovery.
Center Midfield: Nick Besler, 5
Besler only played 45 minutes after suffering a head knock late in the first half. RSL head coach Mike Petke brought Kyle Beckerman on at halftime for the injured Besler. Despite only playing in the first half, Besler ranked as one of the more productive players. He helped control the ball in the middle and found open teammates to help launch attacks.
Despite coming into the game in form, Saucedo was stopped in his tracks. Bofo did not have much of an impact and did not look like the same player we were used to seeing. A free kick opportunity was denied in the 38th minute after Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles made a diving save to prevent Saucedo from scoring. He ended the evening with 11 turnovers, one shot on goal and 11 successful passes.
Striker
Striker: Sam Johnson, 6
Johnson had the best opportunity of the match for RSL in the early minutes of the second half with his volley from 7 yards out that missed the target by 3 yards. Granted, the opportunities for Johnson came few and far between. The ball was predominantly at the other end of the pitch and Johnson was relied on to help out defensively as opposed to creating chances offensively.
The Bench
Kyle Beckerman, 4
Beckerman was the only sub used by Mike Petke as the captain came on at halftime for the injured Nick Besler. Beckerman was on the pitch for all four goals to be conceded, and found it hard having an impact on the game, much like his teammates.
The match has ended pic.twitter.com/4TUP0OG02C
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 2, 2019
Real Salt Lake have an extended break before they host LAFC in the U.S Open fourth round at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday June 11th at 8 p.m. The match can be streamed on KSLSports.com, as well as on the KSL TV app.
KSLSports.com in collaboration with Real Salt Lake has launched a new podcast, The RSL Lion’s Den. It is the official Real Salt Lake podcast for all your club news and updates. Tom Hackett, Spencer Warne and RSL’s Director of PR, Matt Gaschk break down the games and discuss important club matters.
To listen to The Lion’s Den, click here. It is available on iTunes, Google Play or wherever podcasts are found. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe!
Head coach Mike Petke and TV analyst Brian Dunseth have launched a new podcast titled “Off The Chest”. The duo discuss all matters of the world game in a entertaining and informative podcast that will be sure to make you laugh.
