Real Salt Lake’s 3-2 loss in Seattle decided many things for RSL. Some were good, but many things didn’t go RSL’s way. The scoreline is just one example. The red card is another (even though he did deserve the red card, RSL was affected by it). 

In the loss, RSL lost ground in the Supporters’ Shield battle while Seattle gained ground. Had RSL won, they would have had a decent chance to win the Supporters’ Shield. Now, with the loss, the chances are slim to none that they win.

Seattle now has 54 points in the standings while RSL only has 46. This makes Salt Lake’s chance at the Shield very slim. They have to go through Seattle, and the Galaxy, who has 50 points currently. 

One of the problems this game caused is the situation at center back. Real’s Nat Borchers received a red card in the 68th minute after tugging down Seattle forward Obafemi Martins. Head Coach Jeff Cassar is left wondering “Who should I partner with Chris Schuler?” Very good question. He does have Carlos Salcedo, who has played as a center back. He also has Abdoulie Mansally and Aaron Maund to choose from.

The question is, who is doing better in training, and who has experience at center back? We’ll have to wait and see who Cassar chooses for the game against rival Colorado Rapids. Carlos Salcedo had to come on in the first minutes of the second half of the last meeting between Colorado and RSL because Aaron Maund was sent off with a red card. During that game, he made all of the right decisions. 

The game also created this problem: Will the team be lacking in confidence? Jeff Cassar says no when he is asked this question. His usual answer states that if anything, the loss angers the team and makes them strive towards a victory in the next match. Multiple players have supported this comment by stating it themselves. So, will Real Salt Lake be lacking in confidence? Most likely not. Teams learn from losses, and Real Salt Lake is definitely one of those teams. They study every aspect of what they did wrong so they can fix it in the next game.

This isn’t a problem, but it’s a good thing for RSL despite losing. The good news for RSL is they have a stacked forward roster. They have RSL all-time goal leader Alvaro Saborio. They have Joao Plata, who has scored 12 goals this season. They have Robbie Findley. They have Olmes Garcia. One player who they have but currently is out on a two-game loan is Devon Sandoval. Last but not least, they have new Designated Player Sebastian Jaime, who impressed both Jeff Cassar and General Manager Garth Lagerwey when they went to Chile to see him play.  Every single forward has potential. The team believes in many of those players. Jaime signed a multi-year deal. Lagerwey said on Utah’s sports radio station, ESPN 700 that Sandoval, Findley, Garcia, and Plata are all part of the future.