Player ratings for RSL vs. Seattle: Plata and Mulholland rise to the challenge

Nick Rimando - 7.5 Nick did everything he could to keep a clean sheet, but the goal that got past him was nowhere near his fault. In fact, he made a couple of saves before the ball went in the net.

Chris Wingert - 5.5 Wingert had a miscue with Chris Schuler that led to the goal and he admitted as much in his post-game interview. He did well defensively besides that but his services into the box was misdirected on a few occasions.

Chris Schuler - 7.5 In my mind, having Schuler on the field is one of the keys to a positive result for Real Salt Lake. He is being overlooked by the league as one of the best defenders in MLS and his performance against Seattle was evidence of how good he is.

Nat Borchers - 7 Borchers was doing well to lead the defense but did not apply pressure soon enough on one or two Seattle attackers if Rimando's yelling means anything.

Tony Beltran - 6.5 I am unclear on why this is the case, but Seattle kept attacking up his side, especially during the first half. I thought Tony looked good but maybe Seattle sensed a weakness along that side for some reason.

Kyle Beckerman - 7 Beckerman gave some fantastic service from distance and broke up plenty of plays. How many players can do that in this league game in and game out?

Ned Grabavoy - 7.5 This guy is good. He did more than any player on the field to help RSL win possession of the ball and keep possession of the ball. He was a key cog in the RSL victory.

Luke Mulholland - 8.5 Is Mulholland the best newcomer in MLS? He may very well be with the season he has had, but he does not have the name recognition so he probably will not win the award. He had a nice assist to Plata of all people to put Real on the board and then he had a great goal to secure the lead for RSL.

Luis Gil - 8 For two games in a row now, Gil has shined when directing traffic for RSL. He was creative and kept the engine running on defense too. His assist to Mulholland was nearly impossible but he slotted the ball through and made it happen.

Olmes Garcia - 6.5 Olmes did not score, sure, but he won aerial battle after aerial battle. It is games like this where I think Garcia will realize his strengths which should lead to more goals.

Joao Plata - 8 In the last game that RSL had against D.C. I said that we may have witnessed Plata's only header of his career. He must have read that and made me eat my words. It looks like Plata can really score with any of his limbs now.

SUBSTITUTES

Robbie Findley - 6.5 Robbie Findley tends to enter the game for RSL when they have a lead and need help maintaining the lead with a team defensive effort. Findley did his part and more to win the ball for the team and help them to a victory.

Cole Grossman - 6 Grossman came on to solidify the defense and take some pressure off of Beckerman. He complied nicely and Seattle really only had one chance in the last 10 or 15 minutes.

Carlos Salcedo - N/A I want to see more of Salcedo at outside back as I think he does well there.