RSL down but not quite out

Real Salt Lake has struggled recently to stay in the playoff hunt and after a 3-0 loss to FC Dallas Sept. 26, the fight to play in the postseason is all but lost.

“I was kind of hoping to see that fight, something that would break our way that would lead some confidence and some momentum and some emotion from our players and there were some chances there” said coach Jason Kries, “When we were in their box with clear chances to score and we don’t take them and if one of those things happens maybe the emotions and momentum shift our way and we have a good reaction but we need to show a little more fight to get to that point.”

With the loss, RSL is 9-11-7 on the season and has 34 points, placing them eleventh in the overall standings with only three matches remaining.

Only the top eight teams are invited to participate in the postseason, which means RSL has a lot of work to do. However, since the New England Revolution loss on Sept. 30, RSL is only three points behind the eighth and final playoff spot.

Following the match against FC Dallas, RSL has an 18-day layoff from its MLS schedule with two exhibition matches against the BYU Cougars Oct. 2 and Chivas de Guadalajara on Oct. 7.

The remaining three games on the season schedule seem to lean in favor of RSL. Their first game is at home against the leagues worst team, the New York Red Bulls. Next they go on the road to take on Toronto FC who holds a one point lead over them in the standings. The finale of RSL’s season will be at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy against third place, western conference foe, the Colorado Rapids.