RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni speaks with Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy at joint team practice Wednesday. (Real Salt Lake, Instagram)
Estimated duration: 3-4 minutes
Sandy — In an era where American football coaches can go to England and lead a Premier League soccer team, at least on television, in today’s wider world of sports, a combination of skills is never out of the question.
Real Salt Lake has been coveted by head coach Pablo Mastroeni and his team at a joint practice with the opportunity to welcome fellow Ryan Smith-owned Utah Jazz to America’s First Field during a late-season international break. provided a “grace”. It’s the last push to reach the MLS playoffs.
“They got in touch a while back and wanted to tie the two teams together,” Mastroeni said. I thought it was a good idea from my side.
The two teams (Utah’s only top-notch professional sports team) worked together for nearly an hour on passing drills, conditioning, and even a penalty shootout. It was a lighter exercise compared to the usual intense training sessions RSL does every day.
“When you’re in the grind, you don’t have a lot of respite. It’s game by game. It’s very focused. I thought it was great to integrate the jazz today,” said Mastroeni. I think the reason why started playing the game is the joy you felt today from everyone there, even Jazz himself had a great day and a lot of fun.”
Rediscovering the joy of the game could be crucial for a playoff berth for an RSL team that has been winless in its last four games. The team currently sits eighth in the West and just outside the playoffs, but Mastroeni believes he has a chance to score six in his final two games of the regular season. increase.
“There are other games that we have to play that are out of our hands,” Mastroeni said. “The only thing we can control is winning and that’s the focus.”
“Other Games Out of Control” include seven teams all within four points of the RSL (Nashville, Portland, Minnesota, LA Galaxy, Vancouver, Seattle and Colorado). The good or bad news, depending on how you look at it, is that the RSL will face his two of those teams in his final two games of the season.
With two wins and six points, the RSL stands at 49 points for the season. This is just below the generally accepted threshold of 50 points normally required to make the playoffs. Will sending Claret and Cobalt back to the postseason suffice, or will a surprisingly promising season end in disappointment for the new owner group?
Before answering these questions, RSL gives fans a glimpse into the long-term future. Academy prospects Axel Kay, Jude His Wellings and Genna Ronigro will make their debuts in the friendly league His Cup against Mexican club His Atlas. America First Field.
“Given our lack of layers and personnel, I expect everyone to be in action tomorrow,” Mastroeni said. “Rotate players to locations where everyone can see the field.”
First-team players Jefferson Savarino, Sergio Cordova, Brian Oviedo, Blaian Ojeda, Diego Luna and Rubio Rubin have all played for internationals, and Mastroeni said several others were injured or injured. He said he was absent due to COVID protocols and had only seven substitutes on the bench.He will face Liga MX champions Atlas tomorrow.
Mastroeni said, “I think it’s good for our group for those who aren’t spending a lot of time getting rep’s against the defending champions, one of the best teams in Mexico.” I think it will be a match.”
New articles under Real Salt Lake
Other stories you might be interested in
