New Ownership, 2021 Playoff Run Providing Real Salt Lake With Infectious Energy In Tucson
Jan 26, 2022, 4:04 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – As of late, Real Salt Lake has found a lot of success. From the unexpected Western Conference Final appearance in 2021 to the recent announcement of new ownership in Salt Lake City, the club is enjoying a wave of positive energy.
The recent rush of momentum has had an incredible effect on the entire organization. From the homegrown players that are attending their first preseason camp with the first team, to the new faces on the coaching staff, Real Salt Lake has an infectious energy about them.
Homegrowns in the house pic.twitter.com/orXm8rWah7
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 26, 2022
At a recent press conference, Pablo Mastroeni was joined by Portland Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese, Colorado Rapids manager Robin Fraser, and Seattle Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer in Tucson, Arizona as the foursome discussed life as managers and what it is like to be in Tucson at the same time.
During the presser, Schmetzer shared a story from earlier that day when he and his coaching staff found themselves watching a drill that Mastroeni was conducting on the other side of the fence. Schmetzer admitted that he was incredibly impressed by the attitude of the training session conducted by Mastroeni and that it looked like he had built a strong culture in such a short amount of time.
Furthermore, Mastroeni shared his thoughts on the state of Real Salt Lake and why 2022 is crucial for the long-term success of the organization.
“I think for us having had a crazy run to end the last season, it was really about coming back into the preseason and trying to pick up where we left off,” Mastroeni stated. “We have a new ownership group in Salt Lake that is really driving a lot of momentum and so it is important that we get back and we really find that energy and that drive from day one, and I couldn’t be happier with the first week but obviously it is the first week and everyone is giddy to get back.”
a lil fun in the Tucson sun pic.twitter.com/3wE1jmSulj
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 26, 2022
Mastroeni has spoken on a number of occasions since taking the reign as the boss at Real Salt Lake of the importance of a team and player’s attitude. The run to the Western Conference Final last season was derived from the attitude of the playing group.
In 2022, if the rest of Major League Soccer learns anything about Real Salt Lake under Mastroeni, it will likely be that the Claret & Cobalt will play every game with an attitude and mentality that will be difficult to defeat.