June 2016 in Review
RSL June record: 2-1-1 (2-1-3 overall)
RSL season record: 8-5-3 (8-6-6 overall)
Results: @ New York City FC 3-2; vs. Wilmington Hammerheads (USOC) 2(3)-2(1); vs. Portland Timbers 2-2; vs. New York Red Bulls 2-1; @ FC Dallas 0-2; vs. Seattle Sounders FC (USOC) 1(1)-1(4).
With the extensive road stretch now behind it and the club reestablishing Rio Tinto Stadium as a home fortress, Real Salt Lake got back into the swing of things after a brief break for Copa America Centenario. After re-opening the stadium against the Portland Timbers, RSL earned its fourth comeback win of the season against the Red Bulls. US Open Cup matches peppered the schedule, but after falling in a penalty kick shootout against Seattle to close out the month, the competitive focus will be solely on MLS action for the rest of the way.
Top Performer: In three starts in league play, Yura Movsisyan netted three goals, giving him goals in four straight starts. His forward mates have pitched in as well, with Joao Plata scoring twice in Open Cup play and Juan Manuel Martinez totaling two goals in league play and one more in the Open Cup. But Movsisyan’s scoring touch in MLS play has been nothing short of extraordinary of late. He is among five nominees for MLS Player of the Month and is now featured on MLSsoccer.com in a two-part series about his intriguing back story about how Salt Lake City ended up being a place he calls home.
Unsung Hero: Luke Mulholland has been an iron man for RSL in June. He started every match in the month, totaling 499 minutes in six matches. While he played mostly in a holding role, in Dallas he was the de facto No. 10 and his versatility has paid off in an extremely busy month of action.
By The Numbers: 1.75. That was RSL’s points per match in four June league matches, helping keep pace with the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas in the Western Conference race. Entering the month with a road-heavy slate, RSL had averaged 1.67 points per match, well ahead of the playoff projection (typically around 1.5). Continuing at the current home and road clips of 2.67 and 1.1 would put RSL at 64 points … While that number would assuredly put RSL in contention for the Supporters’ Shield, it also shows just how strong the club has been this season.
Up Next: Things will be hectic in July with six matches starting with Friday’s match against D.C. United at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL will also host the Montreal Impact (July 9), New England Revolution (July 16) and San Jose Earthquakes (July 22) and play two road matches against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (July 13) and the Philadelphia Union (July 31). With the friendly against Inter mixed in on July 19, it’s a great opportunity for fans to get out and see the Claret-and-Cobalt all summer and a good chance for RSL to continue to climb the standings.
