Numbers Suggest Real Salt Lake Much Improved From A Year Ago
Jul 27, 2021, 3:10 PM
Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) in action during a MSL match on June 23, 2021 between Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake statistically is having a much better year than what occurred during the 2020 season. Through just 14 games, RSL holds two points less than what they tallied last year.
The Comparison
The year 2020 was chaotic for more than one reason, Major League Soccer started, then stopped, went to a bubble, restarted the regular season all due to the global pandemic that took over the world as we knew it.
Consequently, RSL only played 22 games in 2020. In 2021, they have played 14 and are scheduled to play 34 games.
In 2020, RSL ended the regular season on 22 points, this season they have already tallied 20. In 2020, RSL scored 25 goals and already this season RSL has scored 24.
Inevitably, RSL will crush some important statistics from a year ago, suggesting internal growth within the organization.
Foot on the gas. pic.twitter.com/Nfzp7nvyOD
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 27, 2021
Big Second Half Of Season Awaits
Manager Freddy Juarez, despite the statistical success, has been under pressure as of late following a start to the season that consisted of multiple games where RSL left points on the pitch. If the MLS games only lasted 45 minutes, RSL would have the best record in the league by six points.
The numbers don’t lie. RSL is playing a better brand of soccer in 2021 than they did in 2020.
The additions of Rubio Rubin, Bobby Wood, and others have clearly impacted the club. Moreover, Damir Kreilach, Aaron Herrera among others are playing some of the best soccer of their career. Kreilach, Herrera, and Justen Glad are all serious contenders for MLS All-Star selection.
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In the 14 games played during 2021 thus far, RSL has been outplayed in one game, the away trip to LAFC on July 17. Besides that one game, RSL has been in every other 13 games.
The team has played well, the club looks poised to make a playoff run in 2021. But Juarez and players will need to pick up a handful of road points to cover up the mess of home slip-ups.
A lot is at stake as RSL enters the second half of the season. By the conclusion of the season, one must assume that the club will be under new ownership. Another season without a playoff campaign and serious change may be on the horizon for key members within the organization.
Next Game
RSL will head on the road and play the Houston Dynamo this upcoming Saturday, July 31st with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
Next up 🤠 pic.twitter.com/TwE5C78fTR
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 27, 2021
Houston is currently three points worse than RSL in 2021 and two spots below them in 9th in the Western Conference.
The fixture will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.
