Real Salt Lake was defeated by Sporting Kansas City in front of a sold out LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on a warm and muggy evening. The defeat resulted in Real Salt Lake’s first back-to-back losses in over a season-and-a-half, while the victory improved Sporting KC’s unbeaten streak to 14 games. The 2-0 victory for Sporting was well deserved and for today, the majority of Real Salt Lake supporters will understand the meaning, “welcome to the blue hell.”
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“I thought Kansas City beat us mentally for most of the first half when they put us on our heels; they tried to press us on our half of the field,” said Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jason Kreis. “We made the unwise choice of continuing to pass out of that pressure and that led to us giving the ball away about 25 yards away and all of a sudden we gave up a goal, so we’re on our heels even more and then we gave up the second goal.”
Despite the heat, the match began with an energetic tempo from both clubs. Unfortunately for RSL, they could not sustain it in the first half of play. Sporting KC’s Omar Bravo was a difference maker in this match and produced quality opportunities for his side. Bravo’s teammate, Roger Espinoza left his footprint on this match before getting sent off in the 56th minute.
“They’re a great attacking team with a lot of weapons, and they play well at home,” Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. “I thought they put us under the gun early and created a lot of chances. If you don’t keep the ball [Sporting KC] will punish you, and that’s exactly what they did in the first half.”
The RSL side was getting pushed backwards in the first third of this match and did not bring the numbers forward. As a result, Sporting pressured away and was able to capitalize. Once again RSL conceded two goals in short duration. RSL responded well after the break and brought forth the pressure. Espinoza’s red card fetched a glimmer of hope for RSL but the club could not produce a goal despite going close on several occasions. Captain Kyle Beckerman fired away but Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen made the saves he needed to make to preserve the clean sheet.
“I thought if you compare it to our last couple of games here at home and all the games that we’ve played throughout the season there is one other game I can compare this to and this was probably the best 90 minute performance that we’ve played all year,” Sporting Manager Peter Vermes said.
Sporting was the better side in this match because they forced the issue early which resulted in quality chances. This was another setback for RSL yet there is little time to waste away in defeat. The club must turn their attention and focus to this Saturday’s match against the New York Red Bulls at Rio Tinto Stadium.
(image courtesy of Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
