Wasatch Soccer Sentinel
How do I write about this game? I would love to come out and say that RSL was cheated by the referee (they were not) or that they were the better team (they were not that, either.)
Instead, I'll just lay out a few facts. (And I will probably intersperse my opinion, because I am not disciplined.)
Real Salt Lake held drawing positions three times in this match, at 0-0, 1-1, and 2-2. They held a winning position once, at 2-1. They held a losing position twice, at 0-1 and 2-3.
They conceded a penalty, and it might have seemed harsh, but a handball's a handball. Don't let Pablo Mastroeni calling it "the softest PK ever" fool you — Damir Kreilach handles that ball, his arms fully extended on a corner. (It wasn't Danny Musovski, either.) But I do want to say this: Pablo Mastroeni, did you ... watch MLS matches ... ever? I've seen so many incredibly soft penalties, and this was not anywhere near that.
RSL also gave up two additional goals, both of which weren't defended particularly well. The second goal (the penalty was the first conceded, you see) saw RSL beaten on the break with a brilliant goal from outside the box. It was a nice goal! RSL also defended it very poorly, with six players in the box, four of whom were kind of clumped together on the right side, so, you know. I guess it's just how the cookie crumbles sometimes.
