Top Stories

SBI MLS Team of the Week: Real Salt Lake

MLSMJ031012065

photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

Real Salt Lake faces serious competition for the top spot in the Western Conference this season, but they got off to an impressive start in Week 1 by going on the road and defeating the reigning MLS champions.

Trailing the Los Angeles Galaxy after Edson Buddle scored off a header in the 71st minute, Real Salt Lake responded with three goals in 17 minutes. Rookie midfielder Sebastian Velasquez saw his cross deflect off of Sean Franklin and into the back of the net, and Javier Morales and Fabian Espindola scored five minutes apart to give RSL a big result to start the season.

Real Salt Lake edged out the Portland Timbers (which earned an impressive 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (which defeated the Montreal Impact, 2-0), to claim this week's honors.

What did you think of Real Salt Lake's week? Were you more impressed or surprised by RSL's win over the Galaxy? Which team did you think had the best week?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Good counterpoints regarding Beckham throwing the ball and Buddle’s early fouls… as a neutral I have to say the Galaxy whiners lose this round.

    Reply
  2. Ditto! Let’s face it the LAG is in the same position this year that RSL was last year. Playing more games at the beginning of the campaign when involved in the CONCACAF Champions league. Plus, it doesn’t help when you have an older squad to begin with. But, one can’t cry! Most clubs would kill to be in the position the LAG are in – coming off of a MLS Cup victory and involved in the knock out stages of CONCACAF CL.

    Reply
  3. I was at that game and it was a back and forth by both squads – the Galaxy having the better chances with the two shots off the cross bar by Donovan and Sarvas. However, after that Galaxy goal they just looked fatigued and playing against a RSL side with their possession and striking ability it was just a matter of time.

    The whole Kevin Stott thing is a different story – both sides could cry foul on how pathetic of a ref this guy is. Seriously, he has not business being a ref and I laugh at the fact this guy one Referee of the Year in 2010. The linesmen (especially the one on the West side of the field) could rarely keep up with last man and missed quite a few offside calls. But I have been crying about this to the USSF for years with no avail. I am praying that this new organization – PRO – Professional Referee Organization – will not only increase the level of officiating in MLS but all facets of US & Canadian soccer as well as increase funding in preparing future professional referees. This is and always will be my one gripe with USSF, now that Klinsmann is the coach of our US Natl. team!

    Cheers!

    Reply
  4. I was at the game last year when RSL beat LA 4-1…. need to remember that it is not critical how you start the season, but you definitely want to finish strong. LA finished the last third of last season strong. That is when you want to be playing your best soccer!

    Reply
  5. Consider this maybe Stott knew he f-ed up. And if TFC catch them early again its possible. But Toronto have to win this game. Not the Galaxy.

    Reply
  6. Perspective is something all RSL fans should have after last year. What’s exciting and what the first win showed is RSL’s improved depth (and more youth). Gil’s better, Velasquez is fearless and has a ton of skill and we’ve yet to see Enzo Martinez and other new additions. Seattle is also improved so a big three way battle between the leagues best clubs RSL, Seattle and Gals will be fun to watch. Add to that they play each other more than years past.

    LA has stayed the same because the loss of Omar G offsets the addition of Buddle. They’ll be forced to outscore opponents instead of their customary straight forward 1-0 and 2-1 wins.

    And the offensive mindset is all across the league and especially the west. Vancouver and Portland in addition to Seattle and RSL are all going to score a lot.

    Reply
  7. RSL beat the LAG’s. Deal with it, get used to it, I’m sure without Omar your going to see this happen a lot more this. I’m sure if Toronto beats them in CCL tomorrow night there will be another excuse then.

    Reply
  8. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha……that’s funny. I bet you didn’t mind in the first half while Stott was letting Edison commit hard foul after hard foul. Tissue sales in Southern California must have been through the roof on Sunday.

    Reply
  9. If you want to keep crying about assists from Stott, consider this, Beckham gets no card for throwing the ball at Stott. Mr. Beckham could have been tossed for that if Stott preferred, so I would’nt keep crying about whatever it is you think he gave RSL.

    Reply
  10. I wasn’t blaming that was I? Don’t forget RSL is the best team ever in the history of the MLS after beating the Galaxy. What happened after beating the Galaxy 4-1 last year in the first game? Oh I forget. Maybe you can tell me?

    Reply
  11. I’m a big RSL supporter…However, I’m trying to keep this win in perspective. This is simply one game in a very long season. Having said that, the week 1 result could not have gone much better for RSL.

    This should be a very entertaining season with three great teams in the west, LA Galaxy, RSL, and Seattle.

    Reply
  12. Not trolling. Just the lead up to the own goal and the deflation of the defense was an assist by Kevin Stott and his lost whistle.

    Reply

Leave a Comment