Match Coverage
RSL completely outclassed in 4-0 loss against Columbus Crew
Back-to-back 4-0 losses — and four consecutive losses — are a bad look for Salt Lake.
The names change, the plan stays the same
One of the marks of great coaches with a successful plan is that they can maintain results while swapping players in and out of the lineup, and I think that's true for any team sport. Of course, that's also the mark of a deep team, but it starts with good results — for us to think about the depth of a team, we probably need a starting eleven that is capable of wining more than one game in a season. (Do we have that? I sure hope so. It'll be a loooong season otherwise.)
What we saw tonight from Real Salt Lake was a team that kept a plan, changed the players, and discovered that there were problems there, too.
Look like you don't want to lose
Real Salt Lake, at no point, looked like a team that had interest in not losing. Sure, they looked like a team that wanted to score goals, and I think in that regard, things looked a bit better than they did at home. I think Ilijah Paul had a reasonably good first start. Rubio Rubin looked likely. Anderson Julio had some nice forays forward. Diego Luna looked every bit a man on a mission.
But when it came time to defend as a unit, RSL had no desire to not lose. Those trademark gaps in the midfield appeared over and over. We all watched it happen on the first goal, with the left channel being left wide open for Columbus's Lucas Zelarayan to make a classy run and a backheel.
In key moments, Real Salt Lake wasn't good enough. I don't think it's on any one player in particular — I know it's easy to blame individuals, but let's take some time this week and rewatch the game. Maybe the group's not good enough, but the holes are, for me, systemic. We've also seen three different midfielders now — Pablo Ruiz, Braian Ojeda, Jasper Löffelsend — all leaving the same space, so I'm inclined to think it's not down to individual flaws but rather a systemic failure.
Things that made me say "ugh"
- That fourth goal. It's just absurd. Real Salt Lake looked completely incompetent defensively.
- Actually, the third goal, too. Darlington Nagbe, one of the best passing players in MLS, has a solid three seconds to create a little one-two, and his shot is saved by Gavin Beavers, who spills it. But giving a player that much time and space — let alone a known quantity like Nagbe — is just a little absurd.
- RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni talking repeatedly about how good training has been: "Monday through Friday, the sessions are very optimistic."
- Speaking of Mastroeni, he trotted out "goals change games" once again. That's given me a lot of reason to say 'ugh.'
- RSL more or less giving Columbus as much time on the ball in nearly any game situation. That's made me miffed. In doing that, RSL allowed them the opportunity to probe and find space, and they easily took advantage of that opportunity.
"Back to the lab"
RSL captain Justen Glad, taking the armband from benched Damir Kreilach, talked about RSL needing to "go back to the lab."
Pablo Mastroeni had a similar thought:
If you don't score goals, you end up putting more pressure on yourself. Looking at Charlotte, the way we've conceded goals — we'll look at maybe a different setup, hopefully get a couple guys back from injury, then make the best decision, given the way they play.
And yeah, obviously, the team needs to do that.I don't think there's any arguing that. But if you're having to rethink everything after five games of a 34-game season — well, that's a bit of a red flag, for me.
