Real Salt Lake saw an offensive explosion on Saturday in a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union at Rio Tinto Stadium and the team’s maestro was rewarded by making the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week. Javier Morales had one goal – and it was a special one – and an assist to spark RSL’s burst in the attack. Beyond that, though, he was an instigator in the final third that led to RSL’s comeback to earn a home draw after trailing 3-2 late against the Union.
“I thought we were really dangerous on set plays all tonight. Their goalkeeper came for a few balls, did really well. Javier’s service was fantastic, and I felt like the runs that we made in the box were good,” RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar said. “It’s the beginning of the year – we need to get better in every area. It’s definitely an area where we want to get better and better, but we scored on a free kick today, dangerous on others, so I’m pleased with our set plays.”
Morales’ free kick goal in the 29th minute was the first goal of the year for RSL and the first from a direct free kick since 2012.
“It was too close to go over the wall, and I have great confidence to shoot it to through the goal keeper, so it was pretty good,” Morales smiled after the match.
Morales was joined on Team of the Week by goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth (New England Revolution); defenders Sam Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Rafael Ramos (Orlando City SC) and Hernan Grana (Columbus Crew SC); midfielders Fabian Castillo (FC Dallas), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers) and Justin Meram (Columbus Crew SC); and forwards David Villa (New York City FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) and Blas Perez (FC Dallas). There were no returning honorees from Week 1, when Chris Schuler was among the defenders on the list.
Real Salt Lake’s Team of the Week honorees include:
Week 1: Chris Schuler.
Week 2: Javier Morales.
