Real Salt Lake 2 at Sporting Kansas City 1
April 2, 2016; Kansas City, Kansas; Children’s Mercy Park
Real Salt Lake (2-0-2, 8 points); Sporting Kansas City (3-1-0, 9 points)
Man of the Match: In a game with many candidates, Justen Glad gets the nod after scoring his first MLS goal in the first half, and playing a key role in the defensive unit that shut down Dom Dwyer and forced Kansas City into eight offside calls. Glad, 19, was making just his seventh MLS start and went 90 minutes without being whistled for a foul.
Telling Stat: Real Salt Lake held just 37.4% of the possession, but managed to outshoot Kansas City 15-9, including 8-3 in shots on goal. Despite the possession disparity there was never a moment in the match when RSL felt out of control of the tempo.
What You Missed: 10 players. RSL played without the services of Kyle Beckerman, Jamison Olave and Juan Manuel Martinez for suspensions and Nick Rimando, Javier Morales, Phanuel Kavita, Emery Welshman, Boyd Okwuonu, Omar Holness and Fito Ovalle were also unavailable due to injury and personal reasons. With a makeshift lineup that included Luke Mulholland playing as a No. 10 – and doing quite well – RSL was in command throughout.
So What: The win keeps RSL unbeaten and gives the Claret-and-Cobalt its first road win of the season. After letting two late leads slip in two previous road matches, RSL was able to hold on this time, giving the team confidence moving forward. With two home matches coming up before a lengthy stretch of road matches while Rio Tinto Stadium installs new grass, this win could trigger some momentum and confidence away from home.
