When Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jeff Cassar watches his club’s matches for review, he knows the images on video will always show him that things were never as bad as he thought in the emotional moments during and immediately following the match. He also knows they are never as good as he thought either.
After a 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday after which he lamented the defensive lapses that forced RSL to come from behind to earn a point at home, that remained true. After he met with media on Tuesday for the first time since closely reviewing the tape, he held a realistic and optimistic view of RSL’s play on the field.
“When I look back in this game, we gave them every opportunity that we had, really. That’s something we have to learn from,” Cassar said in his interview with The Bill & OC Show on ESPN 700. “But if we tighten up our game a little bit … if you look at the grand scheme of that it was a very good game for us attacking.”
RSL was dangerous in the attack, overloading the Philadelphia box with wave after wave of hopeful goalscorers throughout the first half. That finally paid dividends when Javier Morales converted a 19 yard free kick in the 29th minute. However, Fernando Aristiguieta pounced on two deflections before the half ended. An own goal in the second half left RSL with a triumvirate of talking points on the defensive side.
Yet Cassar is still able to keep those instances in perspective.
“Those were three very odd goals. So I’m not going to dwell on the three goals,” he said. “I’m going to talk about it with the team, but there were a lot of positives to take away. That’s for sure.”
RSL has a bye on the schedule this weekend, but will take extra time to get ready for its return to league play on March 29 at home against Toronto FC. Tickets are still available at RealSaltLake.com.
