RSL's Style: More Boca Juniors Than Barcelona

Much has been made recently (and rightfully so) about RSL being the current model franchise of MLS. Numerous writers and pundits have made this assertion, along with heaping preemptive awards and predictions of greatness on the club. While I couldn't agree with them more, it got me thinking: besides the obvious like team management, the collection of first XI talent, and the depth of the roster, what makes RSL so special? What makes them unique?

Look: it's the style of play.

RSL was recently been compared to the current kings of club football Barcelona; one Jason Kreis later refuted. It's lofty praise, and it can be seen where the similarities lie, but for me it's off the mark when it comes to the actual on-field product.

Barcelona is steeped in the Spanish style of "tiki-taka", in a league where physicality is seen as the scourge of skillful play. Many lauded over the Spain National Team (comprised almost exclusively Barcelona and Real Madrid players) as it passed and possessed their way to a World Cup championship, but they also forget how many of those were drab 1-0 affairs. Possession and passing are nice, but with no attack it lacks bite. To me it's an offensive brand of negative soccer (pun intended).

I remember a few years back when Boca Juniors came and played a friendly against RSL. I left that match thoroughly impressed with the Argentine club: their skill level, their style of play, even their monochrome uniforms — which seemed to serve as an optical illusion, making their strides seem longer, the tricks flashier, and every kick of the ball sublime.

Much like the Spanish, each player had skill in abundance. But it was how they put that skill to work that impressed me the most. Each touch was part of a carefully crafted attack on the goal, not a time of possession battle. When I watch RSL, I see more of this Latin American drive than the European counterpart. Jason has some common sayings, "being on the front foot" and "put your best foot forward", revealing his desire to see the team push forward in attack. It's also no coincidence that most of RSL's strike force is from south of the union.

I think RSL plays not only the most effective, but the prettiest soccer in MLS. Quite a feat in a league that can be short on tactics and long on physicality. They are doing something no other team in the league has been able to accomplish: to play an entertaining brand of soccer that actually wins matches.

Being a RSL season ticket holder nowadays is a thing of beauty. Each match I leave the stadium thoroughly impressed with the MLS club: the skill level, the style of play, even the monochrome uniforms — which seem to serve as an optical illusion, making strides seem longer, tricks flashier, and every kick of the ball . . . sublime.