When thinking about title contenders in MLS, one always think about the same teams. Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, New York Red Bulls, and now both New York City FC (based on their pedigree) and Orlando City SC (based on their recent form) can also be added to the list as popular choices to lift the MLS Cup once the season ends.
Surprisingly enough, no one has added Real Salt Lake into the mix. They might be the team that’s better equipped to win it all on crunch time.
The standings might not fully show it yet as RSL currently sits second in the Western Conference with 14 points – three behind leaders FC Dallas – but their play has opened eyes all over the league. The front office has managed to assemble a very competitive squad with experience, talent, and a clear desire to win that’s noticeable on both sides of the ball.
Everything starts between the posts with the experience of Nick Rimando. A former USMNT performer with 21 caps under his belt, Rimando won the Gold Cup in 2013 as the US’ first choice keeper, and he was also part of the squad during the 2014 World Cup. He’s nearing 400 career appearances at the MLS level, and he has the perfect mix of experience and leadership to command a defensive line with a lot of promise.
Speaking of the defensive line, the team has a trio of center backs that will play a big part on the team’s chances to contend. Jamison Olave, Aaron Maund and Justen Glad – who’s been dubbed as the next Matt Miazga – have yet to prove themselves at the highest level, but if they can maintain a good performance throughout the 34-game schedule then RSL’s chances will only increase as the season advances.
The team also has a lot of midfield depth, particularly in the central position. USMNT regular Kyle Beckerman is the one controlling the tempo of the team, and he is a monster when it comes to help on both sides of the ball. Stephen Sunday doesn’t stop running throughout the 90 minutes, and Javier Morales is a veteran who knows a thing or two about pace and creativity in the final third. Morales and Beckerman also have the experience of winning an MLS Cup so they can settle the young guys in the heat of a playoff race.
RSL’s biggest strength, however, relies on their attacking line. Former Argentina international Juan Manuel Martinez is a creative winger with pace to boot, and one could argue he’s the lesser attacker of the trio that also features Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan. Plata leads the team with four goals and four assists, and Movsisyan is a poacher who can be an absolute killer in the final third. The Armenian international also gives the team some much needed European pedigree following his stints with Spartak Moscow, FC Krasnodar (both in Russia) and FC Randers (Denmark).
There will be tough competitors for the MLS Cup crown this season, and it remains to be seen if RSL can perform with consistency over the entire schedule. But one thing is certain: the team’s talented and experienced enough to be one of the biggest threats to lift the trophy once it’s all said and done.