Real Salt Lake Can No Longer Qualify For MLS Playoffs Following 2-0 Loss To LA Galaxy
Nov 1, 2020, 11:21 PM | Updated: 11:48 pm
Damir Kreilach #8 of Real Salt Lake celebrates his goal during a match against Colorado Rapids in the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 12, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake has been eliminated from the playoffs after suffering a 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy and the Colorado Rapids beating the Seattle Sounders this evening.
It is the first time that RSL will not be featured in the playoffs since 2017 when the team finished in 8th position in the Western Conference.
That’s it from LA.
Get out & VOTE! pic.twitter.com/wCdQ3UWxJt
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 2, 2020
The Rapids and Sounders fixture went final shortly after RSL and the Galaxy kicked off. RSL knew what they had to accomplish to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
RSL manager Freddy Juarez was forced to play Justen Glad at right-back as Aaron Herrera was forced to sit with a yellow card accumulation suspension. Much like midweek, Damir Kreilach started up top and Pablo Ruiz returned to the starting lineup slotting alongside Everton Luiz in the center of the park.
Uninterested First Half Performance
It is no secret that RSL is not playing well. They are out of form.
The first half was a great example of that, their passing was slow and methodical, no movement in front of the ball and very little urgency to capitalize in transition.
It was concerning, to say the least.
For the 13th time this season, RSL conceded the first goal of the match after center back Giancarlo González glanced a header from a set-piece and beat Andrew Putna at his near post. Putna, who was caught on his heels, was beaten from 16 yards in the 18th minute.
Putna gets caught flat footed and #RSL concedes the first goalie the match for the 13th time this season.
A loss tonight eliminates @realsaltlake’s chances of making the playoffs.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 2, 2020
The remainder of the first half worsened for RSL as the tempo and tenacity were nowhere to be seen.
The final five minutes of the first half was telling, as players from RSL were seen walking around, uninterested in working hard for one and other.
It seemed as though RSL was happy to make it to half time down just one goal.
Second Half-Life
Whatever Juarez said or did at half time worked as RSL returned from half time with more energy. They were moving the ball forward and finally looking like a team that was desperate for three points.
In the 50th minute, Albert Rusnak played a wicked ball into Corey Baird who made a run in and behind the backline of the Galaxy, Baird gathered the ball with ease, chipped Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham but was denied on the line after Giancarlo González was able to reach with his right food and deny RSL their first goal in three matches.
The story of #RSL’s season in one video.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 2, 2020
Just when the RSL faithful felt as though the team was back in the contest, the scoreboard pressure grew on RSL after Cristian Pavón intercepted a Pablo Ruiz pass, shook off a Justen Glad challenge and dribbles by Marcelo Silva to toe-poke the ball into the bottom right-hand corner and making it 2-0 in the 65th.
#RSL concede their second goal of the night free a roll isn’t solo effort from Cristian Pavón.
@realsaltlakeis eliminated from the playoffs with a loss tonight.
Down 2-0 with 20 mins to play.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 2, 2020
Following the magic by Pavón, Juarez was forced into a change bringing on Douglas Martinez Jr. and Maikel Chang.
The move paid dividends as Martinez Jr. scored in the 78th minute. The goal made for a nerve-racking final 12 minutes where the Galaxy dropped multiple players into defensive positions as they hung on to their sixth win of the season.
Douglas pulls one back 💪
2-1 | #LAvRSL pic.twitter.com/WBO7WCitjt
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 2, 2020
Unfortunately, RSL’s playoff hopes were eliminated and will now prepare for one last match in 2020 against Sporting Kansas City a week from today.
“I thought the effort from the guys was very good, but at the end of the day we were not good enough,” Juarez said after the game. “It’s disappointing, I know the guys are disappointed. I feel for the players, my staff, our fans.” He added.
Next Match
RSL and Sporting Kansas City will kick-off at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 11th.
The game will mark the final match in 2020 for RSL.
You can stream the game for free on KSLSports.com or by downloading the KSL 5 TV app.
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