Eight goals. Two wins. Six points.
Those numbers in Real Salt Lake’s two matches against Western Conference foes at Rio Tinto Stadium last week helped RSL climb within one point of the final playoff spot with two months to play.
They also landed three players on MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week and another on the bench. Mike Petke even got in on the action with recognition himself.
Luis Silva extended his scoring streak to four straight matches with three goals in RSL’s 4-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes and 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Albert Rusnák had one goal and three assists along with nine chances created. Justen Glad was part of a defense that allowed just one goal while limiting the opponents to a total on 19 shots and just five shots on goal.
“The mentality of the team, you can tell it has gotten a lot better,” Silva said. “We are having fun and we are enjoying it. We just have to keep this up. It is not over. We could still make that playoff run and that is what we are looking for.”
Joining RSL’s trio on Team of the Week were goalkeeper Bill Hamid (D.C. United); defenders Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC) and Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps FC); midfielders Russell Canouse (D.C. United), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers) and Victor Vasquez (Toronto FC); and forwards Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC) and Abu Danladi (Minnesota United FC).
Petke has coached his squad to a 5-1-3 record in the last nine matches, capped by the two wins last week. In the five wins, RSL has outscored its opposition 19-4. It was his second time as coach of Team of the Week, while Rusnák earned the honor for a third time. Glad and Silva made their first appearances.
In addition, Joao Plata had one goal and one assist with 11 chances created to earn a spot on the bench this week.
Team of the Week
Week 4: Matt VanOekel
Week 6: Albert Rusnák and Yura Movsisyan
Week 7: Mike Petke
Week 13: Sunny
Week 16: Joao Plata
Week 19: Albert Rusnák and Jefferson Savarino
Week 20: Joao Plata and Danilo Acosta
Week 23: Kyle Beckerman
Week 25: Justen Glad, Albert Rusnák, Luis Silva and Mike Petke
For more on Team of the Week, click here.
