Diamonds aren’t always forever, and maybe that’s a good thing for Real Salt Lake.
They debuted their brand new 4-3-3 formation against the Portland Timbers on Saturday night, and the reviews after a scoreless draw were mixed. The clean sheet was nice, but there was also the issue of being held to just two shots on goal.
Head coach Jeff Cassar addressed the offensive inefficiency Tuesday following training.
“We have to be a little bit patient and look at the big picture and say, ‘We’re doing some new things and it takes a little bit of time.’” Cassar said. “But if the defense is nice and strong, and the offense keeps getting better and better each time, we’re going to be fine.”
RSL previously demoed their new alignment in the preseason at the Desert Diamond Cup in Tucson, Ariz., and went undefeated to claim the tournament title. But in front of a pulsing Portland crowd at Providence Park, the attack seemed to stagnate.
Cassar made the switch to the new formation with personnel in mind for a side that underwent significant roster turnover in the offseason. Cassar said the tactical change will open up more possibilities giving them a formation shape with much more versatility.
“You can get a little bit more tactical from it,” Cassar said. “You can go extremely defensive from it, or you can go extremely offensive. And our personnel on our roster is leaning more towards having a lot of forwards, little less midfielders and some really dynamic outside backs. Also, we added speed at center back.”
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RSL defender Tony Beltran echoed his coach’s comments, saying the team will have much more room to operate while on the offensive. Team captain Kyle Beckerman lined up in the middle of the park with Luis Gil on his left and Javier Morales to his right. RSL's front three consisted of Sebastian Jaime, Alvaro Saborio and Olmes Garcia.
“It allows us to be a little more cavalier in the attack because you have another guy there next to Kyle,” Beltran said. “A lot of times when we had possession up the field and the ball turns over, previously, if both our outside diamond guys were pushed high, then it’s Kyle and the backs versus their counterattack, and that can be tough because there’s a lot of space. But now that you have Luis next to Kyle, one can push, one can hold, and it leaves a little bit more room for everybody else to play higher up the field.”
RSL’s attack will continue to evolve as the season progresses, with another chance Saturday in their home opener against the Philadelphia Union (9:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
