What Happened? RSL Pay the Ultimate Penalty in St. Paul
Real Salt Lake endured the jarring disappointment of a third-consecutive first-round elimination from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Saturday, at the hands of Minnesota United in heartbreaking fashion after a second successive penalty-shootout defeat at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Min.
Second-year MF Emeka Eneli netted his second goal of the year, from close range inside the penalty box, late in the second half to equalize following Joseph Rosales’ early second-half opener for the hosts, forcing a shoot-out decider for the fourth consecutive RSL postseason match in the last two seasons.
Following a 1-1 regulation scoreline, the 3-1 shootout defeat marked the end of the 2024 road for RSL, eliminated at the first-round stage in each of 2022, 2023 and now 2024, an anti-climactic end to a record-setting season, the hollowness stinging on a cool, breezy night.
Emeka Eneli: The Brightest Light
Emeka Somto Eneli. RSL’s 2024 Player of the Year? That, at the very least, is a sentiment this author could certainly get behind, and one in which he suspects most readers would also agree.
Call him Mr. Dependable, Mr. Reliable, Mr. Consistent. RSL’s ironman in midfield, defense, and all across the pitch. Midfielder or right back, take your pick. This author, in fact, might also raise you - third center back. Indeed it’s easy to sometimes forget that the Lansing, Mich., native also played as a winger and forward during his formative Cornell University years, but finishes like Saturday night’s surely bring such memories rushing back into our collective consciousness.
Eneli the Golden. Omnipotent and omnipresent. Everything, everywhere, almost all at once.
The 25-year-old Swiss-army knife was back to his brilliant best in St. Paul, on a night when Pablo Mastroeni’s men simply needed to win in either regulation or shootout fashion to extend its postseason campaign, emerging as the team’s undoubtedly best performer throughout its raging, desperate hour of need, scoring a crucial late goal to grant his side a chance at what could have been a decisive game three.
For the 32nd time this season, the Cornell University alum was selected in the lineup to start at the base of midfield alongside Braian Ojeda, delivering a typically composed, resilient, effective showing in the middle of the park, particularly throughout the first half, where his performances helped stave off a series of relentless Minnesota attacks, keeping the score level and the Loons from running away early.
In the second half, with the team having fallen behind and chasing a crucial leveler, a few tactical and personnel alterations from Mastroeni meant that Eneli returned to his previous position at right back, with the task of providing an effective rest defense whilst also contributing offensively in situations where such exertions were required. And it was in the execution of this assignment where he marveled throughout the second 45 minutes, and later in the game his reward would finally arrive.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, and RSL in danger of postseason elimination in regulation time, Eneli took matters into his own hands and grab the game by the scruff of its neck. In the 75th minute, Eneli assumed possession of the ball in midfield and played a quick forward pass to Matt Crooks, before making an underlapping run through the right half-space and towards the penalty box. Eneli’s assertive run arrived just in time to receive an eventual return pass from Crooks to bury an unerring finish through the legs of Dayne St. Clair and into the back of the net, restoring parity in the contest.
With the strike, the 25-year-old registered his second career goal, as well as his second of the season, following his first back on March 9 during a 2-1 home loss to Colorado, in culmination of a stellar individual campaign for the midfielder.
“I think looking back at it now you never want to be totally satisfied if you don't win it all. But, personally, I did say I wanted to play as many games as I could and I think I pretty much achieved that this season,” Eneli shared with reporters in a post-game interview.
“So I'm definitely happy on that front and satisfied with my performances in most of the games. But then at the end of the day just really disappointed for not being able to advance past his first-round. I made specific individual goals and I am relatively satisfied, but I think there's always more to achieve. So I’m just looking forward to next year to see what else we can try and accomplish in this team to go further in the playoffs, the CONCACAF, Leagues Cup, and whatever competition we’re in.”
Penalties, however, remain the beautiful game’s cruel mistress, and true to its nature, the ensuing shootout would give Eneli and his RSL teammates no favors. Despite a valiant effort over both legs, Pablo Mastroeni’s charges would suffer the heartache of a shootout defeat and consequent postseason elimination for the third successive year.
Throughout his 90 minutes played, Eneli registered a total of 40 successful passes - an accuracy rate of 91 percent, including one total shot, and one on target, eight defensive recoveries, three touches in the opposition box, eight final third passes, six duels won, and two tackles won all to alongside his goal, a mark of a truly complete performance.
