Real Salt Lake To Rely Again On Homegrown Backline For Western Conference Semifinal

Nov 27, 2021, 6:02 PM

Photo courtesy: Real Salt Lake

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake will, once again, rely on a predominantly homegrown backline to get the job done against Sporting Kansas City in one of the league’s most harrowing venues; Children’s Mercy Park.

Andrew Brody, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera, and David Ochoa have all featured heavily for Real Salt Lake this season and have all played pivotal roles in helping Real Salt Lake qualify for the Western Conference semifinals.

“I think we have a really good chemistry back there,” Ochoa said in a press conference ahead of the Sporting Kansas City bout. “We grew up playing through the same system with the RSL Academy and I have also built a relationship off the field with all three of those guys. I think our chemistry is helping us get these results, I think we understand each other really well, not including the fact that they’re top defenders in the league,” he added.

Brody graduated from the Monarchs a year ago and thrived flying up and down the wings as an attacking full-back. A toe injury derailed his tremendous debut MLS season but his presence has been welcome over recent weeks.

Heading out on business 🛫 pic.twitter.com/2LdWgbPqmp

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 28, 2021

Herrera has had a breakout season of his own following a regular season that involved 11 assists, good enough for tied most on the team alongside captain Albert Rusnák while leading the league for all defenders in the category.

Glad is the most consistent anchor for Real Salt Lake at the center back position. He capped off yet another terrific performance earlier this week with the winning penalty against Seattle in the first round of the playoffs.

Ochoa has finally put together a season in which good health has warranted consistency. Throughout the year he has showcased his unbelievable shot-stopping ability and against Seattle earlier in the week, he had the last laugh with a game-defying save against former teammate Keyln Rowe to help secure a playoff victory.

All four players are considered to be pivotal in Real Salt Lake’s success. They are all cut from the same cloth and have endured many years growing and developing under the guidance of Real Salt Lake.

With that, comes added confidence and chemistry in what will only assist Real Salt Lake in their hopes of achieving the unthinkable; a date with Portland in the Western Conference finals.