Top Stories

SBI MLS Team of the Week: Real Salt Lake

RSL (Getty Images)

Injuries aren't an excuse for Real Salt Lake. The club just keeps finding new players to step up to maintain its high level of play instead.

Despite injuries to two key midfield starters, Real Salt Lake showcased its depth and came up with two wins (and two clean sheets) in four days to take home SBI's MLS Team of the Week honors.

Paulo Jr.'s penalty kick was enough to get RSL by the Montreal Impact 1-0 during their mid-week meeting, one in which Jason Kreis started four players who are typically reserves in an effort to keep his club fresh for the weekend. The move paid off, as a more full-strength side — but one still without Javier Morales and Ned Grabavoy — put on a clinic at Rio Tinto Stadium in a 2-0 win over the rival Colorado Rapids on Saturday to take the first Rocky Mountain Cup meeting of the season and maintain its place atop the Western Conference standings.

RSL edged out Chivas USA, who came from behind to stun Portland at Jeld-Wen Field; Sporting Kansas City, who were dominant in a 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy to stay perfect on the season; and the San Jose Earthquakes, who became the first team this season to crack Vancouver's defense, for the weekly honors.

What did you think of RSL's week? Is RSL the deepest team in MLS? Which team do you think had the best Week 5 in MLS?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Worst fans in the league don’t make sweet team hymns like this. The guy who filmed this took a week of vacation from work to do this.

    We’re here for RSL!

    Reply
  2. By far the best team of the week. Awesome team, Awesome Coaching Staff, Awesome Stadium. Worst fans in the league…hands down.

    Reply
  3. Awesome, Yes, and RSL.

    This last week was awesome for RSL as they earned 9 points in 8 days. That is really, really tough to top.

    Yes, RSL is the deepest team in the league-it’s been shown over a few years now that RSL can continue to win even when injuries remove important players.

    And, yes, RSL is the team of the week. Again, 9 points in 8 days. A come-from-behind win at Portland, a home victory/shutout v Montreal, and a big, dominant shutout win against the Crapids.

    Reply
  4. There’s a reason Velasquez caught the attention of and spent time with Barcelona. That didn’t work out for him, but he was an undiscovered jewel when RSL found him at a small-town college. I just hope RSL can hang on to him.

    Reply
  5. I find it hilarious that no one considered RSL deep in the preseason. And all of the sites (SI, ESPN, Fox Soccer) that ranked ambition and off-season acquisitions ignored RSL as they didn’t sign big names in the off season. However, they recruit really talented and smart players. Look who they have brought to the MLS. Morales, Espindola, Olave, Valesquex, Paulo Jr. These are all proven players that were brought here only for RSL. They weren’t on anyone else’s radar. Three of them are all stars. There are half a dozen others that are in the process of proving their worth. RSL is a well oiled machine. They aren’t perfect, but they are moving forward very successfully.

    Reply
  6. Luis Gil showed he’s not afraid of anyone. He got into it with Mullan and Moore. Velasquez had a beautiful piece of skill as he spun out of a few defenders keeping the ball glued to his feet drawing a big “wow” from the RioT crowd. Can’t wait to see him on the scoresheet.

    Reply
  7. Luis Gil is going to be a very special player in the coming years. Can’t wait to see him playing in the 2013 U-20 WC(As long as the U.S. qualify’s this time).

    Reply

Leave a Comment