Real Salt Lake – Match Report vs Seattle Sounders 23/10/19

Ratings

• A1 – Very good, could play higher
• A2 – Strong potential to play higher
• B1 – Good, strong player at level
• B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
• C – Average for the level, rewatch
• D – Below average, don’t follow up

Justen Glad

Player profile:

• Nationality: American
• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 28/02/1997
• Current Club: Real Salt Lake
• Career: Real Salt Lake
• Position: Centre Half
• Secondary position: Right Back
• Preferred foot: Right

Justen Glad was Real Salt Lake’s most consistent player in this match, hardly putting a foot wrong in the western conference semi-final. He covered for his teammates on countless occasions in defensive situations and swept up any loose balls well from central defence. The American tracked his runners competently whilst anticipating the play well to ensure he was in the right position. The 6’1″ defender won his fair share of aerial battles and displayed good strength in defensive duels, making him difficult to beat in the Salt Lake back line.

One of his only downfalls was the occasional decision making error, where he rushed to make a challenge, leaving a gap in behind him instead of staying in position. Glad seemed incredibly confident on the ball, not showing any reluctance to step up into midfield and make passes into forward players, whilst he was composed even when under pressure and rarely gave the ball away.

The 23 year old was arguably his team’s best player in a match where they suffered a 2-0 defeat due to a disappointing second half performance.

Rating: A2

Aaron Herrera

Player profile:

• Nationality: American
• Age: 22
• Date of birth: 06/06/1997
• Current Club: Real Salt Lake
• Career: FC Tucson, Real Salt Lake
• Position: Right Back
• Secondary position: Left Back
• Preferred foot: Right

Herrera had a mixed game against Seattle Sounders, with some really promising pieces of play yet also exposing parts of his game that could be improved upon. The right back displayed a great passing range, with some effective switches of play, good flick-ons and dangerous crosses into the penalty area, however, his final ball was quite inconsistent at times.

The 5’11” American is fairly lightweight but aggressive in the tackle and has a lot of pace which helps him in both attack and defence. Defensively his positioning varied, sometimes covering well whilst on other occasions showing a lack of awareness of opposition runs and lacking concentration. The defender always appeared to be confident in his abilities, yet his aggression got the better of him once or twice as he committed some needless fouls. However, his pace did also bail his team out of conceding a third goal as he made a great goal line clearance in the closing stages of the game.

Overall, Herrera’s performance was inconsistent but he did enough to show he has some good qualities to build upon.

Rating: B1

Jefferson Savarino

Player profile:

• Nationality: Venezuelan
• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 11/11/1996
• Current Club: Atlético Mineiro
• Career: Zulia, Real Salt Lake, Atlético Mineiro
• Position: Right Wing
• Secondary position: Left Wing / 10
• Preferred foot: Either

Jefferson Savarino showed glimpses of what he is capable of in a game where very little went his way. Playing on the left, the exciting winger played as part of a very flexible front four for RSL and displayed some good quick feet and close control when in possession. The Venezuelan has a handful of skills up his sleeve and despite trying to use them, failed to have the desired impact in the final third.

The winger was full of confidence with back heels and flicks being attempted regularly, but he got caught out on the ball too often and failed to get the opposition defence on the back foot enough. At just 5’7″ and small in stature, Savarino was easily muscled off the ball at times and despite his aggression in the tackle he was rarely able to win back possession.

On the whole it was a frustrating game for the 23 year old in the most important match of their season.

Rating: B2

Corey Baird

Player profile:

• Nationality: American
• Age: 24
• Date of birth: 30/01/1996
• Current Club: Real Salt Lake
• Career: Burlingame Dragons, Real Salt Lake
• Position: Striker
• Secondary position: Left Wing
• Preferred foot: Right

Playing primarily as a right winger in this match, Corey Baird had a disappointing game for RSL against Seattle. He worked very hard for his team and showed a good attitude to press high up the field, yet very little came off for Baird in attacking situations. He managed to complete a couple of clever passes around the penalty area that rarely amounted to anything, but for the most part failed to have any influence on proceedings. The American was dispossessed a couple of times and misplaced several passes in promising situations.

In defence, as mentioned earlier, he worked very hard and the 5’10” forward showed good strength and aggression at times, but was also beaten once or twice and committed some reckless fouls. Baird had a quiet game on the wing before being substituted with around 20 minutes to go, a game to forget for the 24 year old.

Rating: C