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SBI MLS Team of the Week: Real Salt Lake

NedGrabavoyRSL (USAToday Sports)

By CAITLIN MURRAY

It may have not been the biggest win, but Real Salt Lake nabbed a tough three points this week by playing well on both sides of the ball and continuing to prove themselves as a top team. They head into Week 8 still unbeaten.

With a tight 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers, Nick Rimando proved to be a difference-maker, coming up with big saves to preserve the shutout.

First, Rimando denyed Darlington Nagbe, pushing a close-range shot over the crossbar. Later, Rimando again blocked a shot just outside the 6-yard-box, stopping Alvas Powell’s attempt with the outside of his right foot. Then, Rimando did it again, diving to block Gastón Fernández’s blast from the top of the box.

On the other end, RSL’s offense did their jobs well enough to create a handful of chances on goal, with midfielder Ned Grabavoy finding the breakthrough on a well-finished far post tap.

As a collective, RSL looks to be in top form as they hold onto a third-place standing in the Western Conference.

Real Salt Lake beat out Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas for this week’s honors.

What did you think of RSL’s performance? Which MLS team impressed you the most in MLS Week 7?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • RSL is going to be hit hard when the World Cup Camps open up. I’m not all that familiar with RSL’s squad but have to imagine that Saborio, Beckerman, & Rimando will all be out for at least a month if not more. Thats 3 key players gone for an extended period.

      Reply
    • He is just getting back from injury. Came off the bench and played the last 3 or so games. It seems the preferred pairing with Saborio is Plata or Garcia. Not sure what will happen to him when Findley returns from his surgery too. Sandoval will probably see more time when Saborio goes to the World Cup.

      Reply
  1. Wanted to say this in the write-up to the Fire/Revolution game, but I don’t think there is one.

    Does anyone else feel like the television production is horrible from NBCSN? NBC needs to do a MUCH better job with who they hire to call these games. They sound like amateurs. ESPN is not great with their personalities, but they are much better than what NBC is doing.

    For a league that needs to make a big jump in the tv market, this cannot help. The on-air personalities have got to be better, and I blame the networks for not finding/training the right people.

    Reply
      • When I say production, I mean the overall product that they are putting out there. I’ve got no problem with the camera angles, studio setup, replays, etc, but the actual talking and analysis is extremely poor and unprofessional.

    • I disagree, Don. Production quality is good, access is good, commentators are decent. I suppose they could be better, but that’s life. There’s almost always someone better.

      Reply
      • Fair enough. Did you hear the one guys’ starting lineup intros though? He was shaky and messed up a few times — sounded like a high school student doing that job for the first time. I thought he had a bad 30 seconds, but then it lasted the entire game.

        The intro part was painful to listen to because it was obviously embarrassing for the guy.

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