September 2016 in Review
RSL September record: 0-2-2
RSL season record: 12-10-9 (12-11-12 overall)
Results: vs. LA Galaxy 3-3; @ Portland Timbers 0-1; vs. Houston Dynamo 0-1; vs. FC Dallas 0-0.
The marathon of the MLS season was on full display in September as RSL faced a pair of playoff favorites and two clubs seeking strong finishes to somewhat disappointing seasons. Against the two Supporters’ Shield contenders, RSL earned home draws against the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas. Against the other two foes, it was a pair of 1-0 losses – on the road against the Portland Timbers and at home against the woeful but resurgent Houston Dynamo. A month that started off with a windfall of goals with three against the LA Galaxy ended with three straight zeroes from the Salt Lake attack – certainly something to improve upon in the final month of the season.
Top Performer: Kyle Beckerman is a steady presence in Real Salt Lake’s midfield and in a month that RSL’s captain became the first field player to appear in 400 career MLS matches, he would be a catalyst in leading RSL through a rigorous month. The high point came in a scoreless draw with FC Dallas in which Beckerman anchored a midfield that limited playmaker Mauro Diaz to the fewest touches in a game this season. As RSL readies for the postseason, the club’s captain will be pivotal in guiding the club through the treacherous waters.
Unsung Hero: Demar Phillips continues to be a solid presence on the left side for RSL’s back line and in the month of September he was one of three players, joining Beckerman and Juan Manuel Martinez, to play all 360 minutes in the field for Salt Lake. In allowing just two goals over the final three matches, RSL’s defense is starting to round into form down the stretch.
By The Numbers: Three. Whether it was the three goals scored in the first match of the month against the LA Galaxy in a comeback draw at home after trailing 3-1 or the three times RSL was shutout to close out the month, three is the magic number. One represents the most goals RSL has scored in a match this season. The other is the longest stretch RSL has gone without scoring this season.
Up Next: The October stretch starts on Saturday on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes and continues with a home tilt with Sporting Kansas City before the regular season finale on the road against Seattle Sounders FC on October 23. A win on Saturday coupled with a Portland Timbers defeat on the road against the Colorado Rapids would clinch RSL’s return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus. Throughout the month, though, RSL will be fighting for playoff positioning with the hopes of clinching home-field advantage in the Knockout Round with the third or fourth seed or in the Western Conference Semifinals if RSL can manage to climb all the way to second.
