The pundits had been reluctant, but Real Salt Lake’s win over Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday was just the kind of result the team needed to sound the siren. RSL is not the same team it was in 2015 when it missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They believed it in the locker room – despite missing 10 players to injuries and suspensions – and proved it on the field against a previously unscathed opponent.
“This is a huge win for our club and a statement to the league as well,” said RSL veteran defender Tony Beltran, who served as captain in the match.
The list of players unavailable on Saturday was lengthy and a who’s who of RSL’s roster. Nick Rimando and Javier Morales both were out because of injuries while Kyle Beckerman, Jamison Olave and Juan Manuel Martinez were all suspended.
Those absences from the starting lineup opened doors for other players on the roster and those players executed the game plan with precision to earn the victory.
Asked afterward what he learned about his team, Head Coach Jeff Cassar beamed with pride in his players.
“I don’t think I learned something. I think maybe the guys really learned something about themselves and this group. We believe in all of our players,” he said. “This kind of result in this scenario doesn’t make me believe any more, but I think it can help the players really believe in themselves and believe in their abilities and really believe in each other. All these guys deserve to have this opportunity but what they did tonight was seize the moment and I’m really happy for them.”
Beltran took that a step further, noting the belief that already existed in the locker room.
“We believed in ourselves and that’s why we’re on such a high right now,” he said. “We wanted to make the statement to everybody that these guys can contribute and we are capable as a team.”
Unbeaten at 2-0-2 thus far, RSL now has a pair of home matches upcoming against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday and Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 16. Continuing that successful run will expand on the club’s statement that was made against Kansas City.
