Real Salt Lake Put Last Week’s Loss Behind Them, Focus Now Fixated On Nashville SC

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The disappointment from last week’s 2-1 loss at home to San Jose has settled, and now the focus has been shifted to the upcoming home fixture against Nashville SC. Given the events that transpired during the final 10 minutes of last week’s loss, a greater emphasis and importance has been placed on this week’s fixture.

Fans, coaches, and anybody with interest in a sporting team is always trying to gauge just how much adversity any team can deal with. What is the overall strength of your beloved team?

RSL has endured enough adversity over the years. So much so, that Manager Freddy Juarez is confident that he understands the strength of his team.

EARLY CONTENDER FOR @MLS GOAL OF THE YEAR! 😱

Take a bow, Rubio Rubin.

(via @realsaltlake)pic.twitter.com/l3wwPTaGrK

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 8, 2021

“We have dealt with adversity for the last four years,” Juarez said during a press conference on Tuesday, May 11. “I think this team is very resilient, I think this team has grown. We had a lot of young kids if you will, and now we have young men that are very developed and have more than enough experience with this team.”

Despite Juarez and his optimism, the jury is still out on the 2021 RSL team and its ability to respond following adversity.

Last week’s loss was heartbreaking. The players were evidently and understandably frustrated with the two late Chris Wondolowski goals that gave them their first taste of a loss in 2021.

But losing games in MLS is not what aggravated the playing group. It was the manner in which it occurred.

Here's Chris Wondolowski rolling back the years and finishing a great team goal for @SJEarthquakes and giving them a 2-1 lead late in the game with Real Salt Lake.

Wondo grabbed a brace in the final 10 minutes to turn the game around after coming on in the 72nd minute.#mls pic.twitter.com/NeQCPzkow2

— Mike Rice (@MikeRice76) May 10, 2021

Juarez admits that over the remaining 31 games there will be plenty more wins to celebrate and unfortunately more losses to dwell over. The best teams in the league, year in and year out, are the ones that respond from losing the best.

This week against Nashville SC is an important game for the club. Their character will be tested, their response will be judged, and the fanbase will have their first look at an RSL side coming off a loss.