Real Salt Lake Looks to Continue Their Cinderalla Run

Last Year the New York Red Bulls were the Cinderella of the MLS Cup Playoffs as they came into the post-season as the number eight seed and advanced all the way to the MLS Cup Final. In route to advancing the MLS Cup Final the Red Bulls defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the Western Conference Final. Now this year it is the Red Bulls Western Conference Final victims, Real Salt Lake, that is the Cinderella of the MLS Cup Playoff. This year it is Real Salt Lake that is the club that is looking to take the league championship, after being the last team to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. For the Lakers it has been an up and down season, as Real Salt Lake tries to sort out the identity crisis they face as they try to label themselves as one of the league's elite, instead of a bottom feeder club that has squeaked into the playoffs and got lucky in the post season. Salt Lake has had to navigate a difficult season, and the task it not yet over as they will try to do one better than their Cinderella predecessor, and actually win the MLS Cup. The Lakers are the true up and down team, and a Grade-A example of how in the MLS it does not matter how you start the season, but instead what matters is how you finish the season.

It was not the best of starts for Real Salt Lake this year as they lost to expansion side Seattle 2-0 to start the year. However did win the next three of their four games and ended the month of April with a 3-3 record. Then May came around and that is when problems began to arise in Utah. After being eliminated by the Sounders in the US Open Cup RSL failed to win a game in May, and only managed to collect two points from in six games. One of those games was Salt Lake's match against the Los Angeles Galaxy where the two clubs drew at 2-2. The Lakers had a 1-0 heading into stoppage time, however the Galaxy scored off a PK to equalize. After Salt Lake capitalized on their own PK, Galaxy Forward Mike Magee scored very late into stoppage time and the match ended with a 2-2. For Salt Lake the result was disappointing as the Lakers held a 1-0 going into stoppage time, but allowed two goals past the 90-minute mark, and settled with a 2-2 draw at home.

June brought better results for Real Salt Lake as the Lakers posted a 2-0-2 record in June. One of those wins was on the road against the Galaxy, as Yura Movsisyan and Nat Borchers scored on opposite sides of the half to give Real Salt Lake a 2-0 win at Los Angeles. With the win the Lakers won the season series against the Galaxy. July brought more mediocre results as Salt Lake only managed a 1-1-1 record before the All-Star Break. However as a bright spot the Salt Lake did beat Mexican Powerhouse Club America in a friendly by a 1-0 scoreline.

Once the All-Star Break was over it was time for Real Salt Lake to make their playoff run. Like the first half of the season the Lakers kicked off the second half of the season with a loss. This time it was at home to the hands of the Chicago Fire. Real Salt Lake did turn things around, including avenging two previous defeats to the hands of the Sounders by beating them 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Lakers went 3-2-1 in August, and need a good finish to the season to be in the playoffs.

Salt Lake did not look like a club in the middle of a playoff race in September as Real only managed one point in three matches, being outscored 7-3 in those three matches. However October is make or break times in the MLS, and Real Salt Lake could still put together a good October and get into the playoffs. Following a 1-1 draw in a friendly with Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara. Then it was time for the men of Utah to make a last second playoff push, Salt Lake helped their own cause by beating the lowly Red Bulls 2-0. However a loss to rival playoff contender Toronto made the Lakers sweat it the last week of the season. Thanks to a series of fortunate results Salt Lake was still in position to make the post-season. For the second year in a row Salt Lake arc-rival Colorado Rapids on the last week of the season, while at the same time vaulting themselves into the playoffs.

Once in the playoffs the Salt Lake upset Supporters Shield Champions Columbus Crew 4-2 on Aggregate. Then in the Eastern Conference Finals (like the Red Bulls, RSL had to transfer conferences in the post-season) Real Salt Lake beat the Chicago 5-4 in a shootout in Chicago to reach the franchises ever MLS Cup Final (or ANY Cup Final for that matter). It has been an up and down season for Real Salt Lake this year, but now they are one match away from the Promise Land, a MLS Cup Title. The Lakers have overcome early season struggles, win less streaks, and being on the verge of elimination from playoff contention. These challenges have prepared RSL for the challenged they will face come Sunday in the Cup Final. However if Real Salt Lake can do one better than their Cinderella predecessor, they will move from one of the league's mediocre clubs, to one of the league's elite, and more importantly...the league's Champions.