Everton Luiz Had Best Performance In RSL’s Loss To FC Dallas

Apr 1, 2019, 2:12 PM

KSL Sports

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake lost 4-2 to FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium over the weekend. A slow start hurt RSL, as Dallas midfielder Carlos Grueza found the back of the net 44 seconds into the match.

It went from bad to worse in the 19th minute as Damir Kreilach was sent off for violent conduct and RSL was down to 10 men. It was the fourth red card in three matches for Real Salt Lake.

Despite being down a man, and a goal, RSL was able to equalize with a strike by Jefferson Savarino from 25 yards out in which the young Venezuelan slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner. However, just one minute later in the 32nd, FC Dallas’ Paxton Pomykal scored for the visitors. An immediate reply that once again sucked the energy out of the stadium.

Any time Real Salt Lake was gaining momentum, Dallas responded. A wonderful effort from the away club in a hostile environment.

By the numbers for #RSL vs FC Dallas pic.twitter.com/7iL3recawD

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 31, 2019

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, 6

Rimando did not have any highlight saves, he was once again good with his feet and hands, but was unable to stop the ball flying into the back of the net. Rimando did not make any big mistakes, he was just unable to help stop the flurry of attacks from FC Dallas.

Defenders

Right Back: Brooks Lennon, 6

Lennon did a nice job getting forward against FC Dallas. The young homegrown player was running up and down the right side trying to help will the rest of the team on. Credit Lennon for busting his tail, he was often the outlet pass to help try and launch a counter attack. Lennon still struggles when asked to take defenders on and occasionally has a hard time getting back into a defensive position once he has pushed forward.

Center Back: Erik Holt, 3

Unfortunately Holt left the game in the 11th minute with a left ankle sprain after he deflected a shot from the top of the box. The young homegrown player has clearly impressed the boss, Mike Petke as he was given the start ahead of Spaniard Marcelo Silva.

Center Back: Nedum Onuoha, 8

Onuoha was solid, once again. The experienced Englishmen was influential in stopping attacks from FC Dallas. Onuoha played the best game out of all defenders, he made two tackles and had one clearance in a game that FC Dallas dominated possession.

"We never really give up." pic.twitter.com/9SoNVEAg4l

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 31, 2019

Left Back: Aaron Herrera, 7

Herrera moved back over to left back after spending the prior week at his preferred right back position. It was evident that Herrera is far more comfortable at left back. He played well, being tasked with the big role of limiting Barrios.

Midfielders

Center Midfield: Everton Luiz, 9

Luiz was the best player on the pitch for Real Salt Lake. Despite being down a man for 73 minutes, Luiz made tackles that helped RSL start their counter attacks. He has been very good in every game this year and against FC Dallas we were reminded as to why he is so valuable. Luiz had an opportunity to score in the 60th minute, but was unable to generate enough power to beat FC Dallas goalkeeper Jose Luis Gonzalez.

Center Midfield: Kyle Beckerman, 7

Beckerman was also superb in the loss. His ability to help control the shape of the team and his leadership were on full display over the weekend. Beckerman did struggle passing the football however, he had 6 unsuccessful passes in FC Dallas’s half.

Right Wing: Jefferson Savarino, 8

Savarino got back on the scorers sheet after he slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner in the 31st minute from 25 yards. Savarino was, once again, beating defenders off the dribble and creating attacking opportunities for Real Salt Lake. His skill, speed and composure creates headaches for opposing defenses, it was on full display again against FC Dallas.

Sava taking the shot for #RSL 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Z645vMCyOF

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 31, 2019

Center Attacking Midfield: Damir Kreilach, 2

Damir Kreilach was sent off in the 19th minute by referee Baldomero Toledo. Kreilach was fouled, after he was stomped on but then made the mistake of jumping to his feet and making head to head contact with FC Dallas midfielder Carlos Gruezo.

Damir Kreilach is shown red. RSL is down a man again. #RSL #RSLvFCD #RSLonKSL https://t.co/3aER45yunl pic.twitter.com/1veyWEpOsY

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 31, 2019

Left Wing: Sebastian Saucedo, 8

Bofo was aggressive, as he normally is when the ball was at his feet. Bofo’s biggest strength is his confidence as he often attacks and shoots at will. Against FC Dallas, Bofo notched an assist and hit the woodwork. Saucedo is quickly becoming a mainstay in the starting XI as is gaining Mike Petke’s trust. Another fine performance from the young local player.

Striker

Striker: Albert Rusnak, 8

Rusnak got the start despite missing last weeks loss to LAFC due to international duty. While away, Rusnak played every minute of his home countries UEFA Euro qualifiers against Hungary and Wales. Rusnak returned to Utah on Monday and was able to train throughout the week. Starting at striker, Rusnak was asked to play out of position but performed very well. Starting the match off quietly, he slowly found the ball and space. Rusnak assisted on the Marcelo Silva header in the 66th minute from a corner kick.

The Bench

Marcelo Silva, 6

Silva entered after Erik Holt went down with a left ankle sprain and played 73 minutes. He made a vital mistake shortly after the Savarino goal, which allowed FC Dallas to regain the lead. However, he did end up scoring after Rusnak whipped a ball in from a corner kick and Silva was able to put his head on it to score in the 66th minute. Depending on the extent of Holt’s ankle sprain, it will be interesting to see who Petke starts next week as RSL will be on the road to take on the Seattle Sounders.

Silva scores his first of goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/FCXo1fTrZv

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 31, 2019

Corey Baird, 4

Baird only got a few days of training prior to the FC Dallas match as he was also on international duty with the USMNT. Baird was unable to offer a spark in the 28 minutes he was on the pitch.

Sam Johnson, 3

After traveling half way across the world, Johnson did not train prior to the FC Dallas match. He played 11 minutes off the bench, during the 11 minutes he found himself in space once but was unable to generate anything from the run up the right hand side. It is time Johnson starts at striker and plays himself into fitness.