Real Salt Lake 0 at Seattle Sounders FC 1
May 20, 2017; Seattle; CenturyLink Field
Real Salt Lake (3-8-2, 11 points); Seattle Sounders FC (3-5-4, 13 points)
Man of the Match: Nick Rimando’s incredible performances have become routine as the RSL goalkeeper finished the afternoon with five saves, including his 22nd career penalty kick save against Clint Dempsey in the second half. He had several stops that should certainly have the all-time leader in all goalkeeping categories up for Save of the Week and even in defeat should easily be a candidate for MLS Player of the Week.
Telling Stat: While Rimando had to make five saves, so did Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Although RSL’s first shot on goal didn’t come until the 50th minute, that was an indication of how well the team executed its gameplan of looking to defend and counter in the first half, then go for goal in the second half while trailing 1-0. It was a well-executed match for RSL, even if it didn’t mean a result.
What You Missed: Part of the first-half strategy was to utilize Omar Holness as a shadow for Joevin Jones. In limiting Jones’ service to playmaker Nico Lodeiro, RSL was able to keep the most explosive elements of the Sounders in check. Once Holness was replaced by Jefferson Savarino in the second half, it opened up RSL’s attack and shifted the balance on the field.
So What: RSL went 1-2-0 in a stretch of three matches in eight days and continues to make progress toward Head Coach Mike Petke’s vision for the team. As it continues through the process of evolving toward that vision, matches like Saturday are good indications of what’s to come – not the result, but the adaptability of the team to play matches with different tactics and make adjustments even within a match. Next week sees another marathon stretch against Philadelphia, Houston and Dallas in an eight-day stretch.
