Real Salt Lake Begins To Show Signs Of Concern With Answers Currently Unavailable

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake is flirting with danger following the team’s most recent 2-2 draw at home against a Chicharito-less LA Galaxy. It was the fourth draw at home in the last five matches, much to the frustration of the attending home supporters.

As it currently stands, RSL sits one point shy of a playoff spot in the Western Conference in eighth position. Although, RSL has already played 8 of their 13 games at Rio Tinto Stadium. The schedule only gets tougher with many away trips still looming for RSL.

Road Games Fast Approaching

Will the inability to close out games cost RSL down the stretch? Or will RSL find a way to develop a winning formula on the road and save the 2021 season?

The upcoming game at Rio Tinto Stadium against Colorado is poised to have major implications on the future trajectory of RSL.

Following the contest against Colorado on July 24, RSL will have 11 road games and 9 home games left in their quest for a playoff birth.

"As a player it's important to take accountability." #RSLvLA | @AFCU pic.twitter.com/uPF5ThiMOj

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 22, 2021

The club is entering a key period in their season that will likely prove pivotal at the end of the year. Captain Albert Rusnák expressed his frustration immediately following the 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy on Wednesday, July 21st.

“This is as frustrating as anything that I have experienced so far,” he said. “You know, if it is just the first half results this year we may be on top of the league,” Rusnák said in relation to RSL’s inability to close out games.

What Is The Answer?

So what is the answer? How does RSL go about fixing a serious problem? After every harrowing result, the comments post-game have been something along the lines of “we cannot lose our concentration in moments” or “we will continue to fight.”

RSL can fight all they want, they can work on their concentration habits in the hope of fixing the issue, and maybe that will help. But they better hope it helps soon because if this trend continues the club will run out of time.

.@realsaltlake Forward @RubioRubin 's comments on splitting points with visiting side @LAGalaxy – #RSL now sits 8th in the Western Conference and faces 4th place @ColoradoRapids at home, 07/24/21.

"I think it's a lack of concentration from the whole team…" #RSL #DaleReal #MLS pic.twitter.com/8RH6LiwFj9

— Andy Muñoz (@andymunoz48) July 22, 2021

“I cannot even count how many times this has happened this year. I honestly don’t have an answer right now,” Rusnák said on giving up leads. “We gotta sort that out man because this isn’t the start of the season anymore, we are coming up to the midpoint of the season,” Rusnák added.

The following few weeks will certainly be interesting for RSL fans. For good or for bad, the end result of this season will likely depend on the next few week’s worth of results.

Players and coaches are clearly growing frustrated with their inability to capitalize on leads. You get a sense that the breaking point is approaching and that RSL, led by manager Freddy Juarez, is seriously starting to realize the dilemma in which they find themselves.

Rocky Mountain Cup Awaits

There is no bigger game this season than the upcoming home encounter against an in-form Colorado Rapids unit who are unbeaten in their last four games. A win and RSL can calm down and get on with business, a loss and the morale of the team may come crashing down.

RSL and Colorado will kickoff from Rio Tinto Stadium at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 24th.

The match will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.