September 2015 in Review
RSL September record: 2-1-0 (3-1-1 overall)
RSL season record: 10-12-8 (15-13-9 overall)
Results: @ Houston Dynamo 3-1; CCL @ Santa Tecla FC 0-0; vs. LA Galaxy 3-0; CCL vs. Santa Tecla FC 2-1; @ San Jose Earthquakes 0-1.
Real Salt Lake showed extended stretches of the clubs extreme potential in the month of September, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to provide too extreme a boost to the team in the Western Conference playoff chase. Although RSL was able to climb within three points of the sixth spot in the West entering the weekend, a Portland win over the Columbus Crew combined with a Salt Lake defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes put a six-point, two-team gap between the Claret-and-Cobalt and a playoff position. Success in CONCACAF Champions League was a small consolation to splitting four MLS matches, no matter how controlling Salt Lake was in wins over the Houston Dynamo – which ended an eight-match road losing streak – and the LA Galaxy.
Top Performer: It’s hard to argue with Juan Manuel Martinez, who finished the month with one goal and one assist in his first three MLS starts, but also contributed much more to RSL’s attack. All three goals in a 3-1 win over Houston came as a result of his shots, with two rebounds put back and the third coming on a goal of his own. Then against the Galaxy he assisted on goal and drew a penalty on another as RSLK motored to a 3-0 win. He also added the game-winning goal in a 2-1 Champions League win over Santa Tecla FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Others who were in contention were Devon Sandoval with three goals in consecutive wins over the Dynamo and Galaxy and Javier Morales, who had two goals and four assists in four matches across all competitions.
Unsung Hero: Anyone on the back line could have been in contention for this award, as RSL was solid defensively all month. Whether it was Tony Beltran showing his versatility in moving to left back for a pair of matches, Jordan Allen stepping into the right back spot in his place or Aaron Maund continuing his surge as a strong contender at center back. However, the unsung hero goes to Jamison Olave, whose presence on the defensive front cannot be understated. He was key in shutting down the Dynamo, keeping the Earthquakes from too much danger and virtually erasing Robbie Keane from the match against the LA Galaxy.
By The Numbers: The five matches RSL played were condensed down to just one 16-day stretch late in the month. During that stretch, Head Coach Jeff Cassar utilized squad rotation to keep his squad as fresh as possible, ultimately starting 23 different players across all competitions.
Up Next: In the final month of the season, RSL plays two at home and two on the road in MLS play and one final match in Champions League. While entering the final stage of the playoff chase in league action is important as Salt Lake aims for its eighth consecutive postseason appearance, the CONCACAF Champions League battle with Municipal from Guatemala on October 20 at Rio Tinto Stadium is arguably more vital, as a win or draw in that match will send RSL to the Championship Stage in the quarterfinal round in February. That means more Allocation money and a better chance to build the club moving forward.
