Real Salt Lake 0 at Portland Timbers 1
September 10, 2016; Portland, Oregon; Providence Park
Real Salt Lake (12-9-8, 44 points); Portland Timbers (10-11-8, 38 points)
Man of the Match: Sunny was a great contributor in his return to the pitch for Real Salt Lake. In his first match since mid-June after suffering facial fractures in a win over the New York Red Bulls, Sunny completed 94% of his passes while also providing a strong defensive presence alongside Kyle Beckerman in the midfield. While Luke Mulholland and John Stertzer were able to provide a different dynamic to the midfield in his absence, Sunny’s play on Saturday was a reminder of what the midfield can do when he is at 100%.
Telling Stat: 16. In the last two matches against Portland, RSL forward Juan Manuel Martinez has been roughed up by the Timbers. After suffering seven fouls in a 2-2 draw at Rio Tinto Stadium last time out, Martinez was hacked down nine times on Saturday – including five times in the first 25 minutes. It’s a clear strategy employed by the Timbers and unless they are punished – either by the referee giving yellow cards or by RSL converting set play opportunities created by the fouls – there is no reason for them to stop hat tactic.
What You Missed: With a busy schedule and the match being played on turf, Javier Morales started the match coming off the bench. In need of a goal when trailing 1-0 at halftime, Head Coach Jeff Cassar turned to the maestro to make a difference in the match. However, it was a short-lived jolt of energy, as Morales was taken out of the match in the 76th minute with a right quad injury. How long Morales is out and how effective he can be will be important factors for the final five matches of the season.
So What: It was not a bad game played by Real Salt Lake – RSL had more shots on goal and more possession than the Timbers. However, early goals continue to haunt RSL, as Fanendo Adi’s 12th minute goal allowed the Timbers to alter the approach. As the regular season winds down and playoffs approach, Salt Lake will need to start getting those early goals themselves to put the pressure on the opposition that has plagued RSL throughout the year.
