October 2015 in Review
RSL October record: 1-3-0 (2-3-0 overall)
RSL season record: 11-15-8 (17-16-9 overall)
Results: @ Colorado Rapids 2-1; vs. Portland Timbers 0-1; vs. FC Dallas 0-1; vs. Municipal 1-0; @ Seattle Sounders FC 1-3.
The 2015 season came to a close on Sunday with Real Salt Lake finishing out of the playoff picture with a record of 11-15-8 and while the club’s streak of seven straight seasons with a postseason appearance comes to a close, a disappointing final month also included a victory in CONCACAF Champions League that secured a berth in the quarterfinals and the allocation money that comes with it. There is no soft-selling the disappointment felt in the locker room and offices – especially after three consecutive league losses to close out the year. However the Champions League success does give the club something to celebrate in 2015 and reason for optimism in 2016.
Top Performer: Jamison Olave scored a huge goal for the club in the 1-0 Champions League win over Municipal, securing a spot in the quarterfinals and the third seed in the eight-team round. For that, alone he earns the honor after a tough final three matches of the regular season. It was his foul that gave Portland the penalty, though undeserved according to PRO, that proved to be the difference in the match that ultimately sealed RSL’s fate in regular season play, but the Champions League glory outweighed that.
Unsung Hero: Tony Beltran continues his All-Star season and emerged more and more as a leader in the final month of the season, ensuring that even when down 3-0 in a meaningless match, RSL didn’t go down without a fight. His halftime interview on the television broadcast on Sunday showed everything you need to know about Beltran’s commitment to the team.
By The Numbers: RSL is one of four MLS clubs to qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals, joining Seattle Sounders FC, D.C. United and the LA Galaxy in the Knockout Round. All four teams will match up against clubs from Mexico in the quarterfinals.
Up Next: The off-season is longer than normal, but it will be an active one as RSL prepares to fight to get back into the playoffs and make another run in CONCACAF Champions League. The first phase will come with the Re-Entry Draft in mid-December and the SuperDraft will follow in January. RSL holds the fifth overall pick in each draft, the highest pick since the club selected Tony Beltran third overall in 2008.
