From Deseret News archives:
Real Salt Lake: RSL finally has evidence it's improved
Now there is proof.
With Real's 4-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the feelings and speculation that this year's team is different were finally vindicated.
"I really think we all felt like we were bound to erupt eventually, and it came tonight," said midfielder Kyle Beckerman, who had two of the team's goals. "It was good that it came early in the season because we were getting a bit frustrated with playing some good soccer but not getting rewarded with wins. Tonight, it all came together. I don't think it was our best performance soccer-playing wise, but as a team we just fought and had a good spirit. The team spirit was excellent tonight."
"I know that it feels really good to go out and win," said defender Matias Mantilla. "We have been playing really hard and playing good soccer, but we just didn't have a win. I think that tonight we showed how good we can be."
It is strange how four simple finishes to the back of the net can change the entire perspective of how good a team is or how good it can be.
"I think we were fortunate with some of the goals," said coach Jason Kreis. "When we score the goals I think it makes things look better because obviously you win games, but for me, the soccer probably wasn't quite as good as it has been in the last two games on our side. Scoring the goals makes things look brighter."
It wasn't until game No. 12 that Real got its first win of the year in 2007, but with 90 minutes of quality soccer in game No. 3, the entire outlook of a franchise may have shifted.
"I think that going out and beating a quality opponent like that could be something we can build on," said Mantilla. "We always thought we could be a good team, and maybe now it is more than just thinking it."
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com
Recent comments
...the RSL trash talkers?
Nice game RSL!
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