SANDY, Utah—Another week, another result for Real Salt Lake.
RSL extended their run as the lone unbeaten team left in MLS following a 1-0 victory over Colorado on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium, and head coach Jeff Cassar has yet to lose any of the first five games in each of his three seasons at the helm.
“We’re not trying to break the unbeaten streak here,” Cassar said. “We’re just trying to collect as many points as we possibly can. Obviously, it shows we’re doing some things right.”
The defense kept its first clean sheet of the season, which could be the beginning of something special. After missing the playoffs last year, RSL appear to be gaining steam on both sides of the ball.
On Saturday, it was the defense that weathered an aggressive Colorado attack before the offense caught up in the second half to score the game-winner. The Rapids outshot RSL, and it took some individual efforts to keep Colorado off the scoreboard in the first half.
Justen Glad, in his second start of the season, made a sliding tackle in the box to prevent a shot from inside the six, while Aaron Maund headed away a goal-bound shot in the first half, with Nick Rimando maintaining his steady play in goal. In all, the effort was enough to frustrate a Rapids attack which head coach Pablo Mastroeni said did enough to score two or three goals most nights.
"A lot players had individual bright moments and that's what it takes to win games," Glad said. "Every single player fighting for each other and doing everything they can to help the person next to them."
In the second half, RSL's offense helped take some of the pressure off and Joao Platasnuck a goal off a Colorado defensive miscue.
"We were able to stick with it and not give up any goals and as we got going offensively we were able to finish it off," RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said.
Coming out of the Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry match, the Claret and Cobalt feel like this season is starting to get rolling toward something good.
"It's a good stepping stone," Glad said. "We're kind of finding a groove and picking up our level a little bit.”
