RSL 3-0 Vancouver Whitecaps: What we learned

It's never easy to go back to work after so many things hit at once. That's a true enough statement for anyone, and yet, it's an expectation we all have.

We go back to work, get our jobs done right, and keep getting a paycheck. So, when I was making my way to the RioT earlier today, I kept thinking about that — these guys are professionals. They know what their job is, they will get it done.

Still, Vancouver has always been a tough match for us and this game meant a little more somehow; I've been an RSL fan long enough to know that the regular season games that mean a little more never go the way I'd like them to.

I recall losing the Rocky Mountain Cup in Colorado one year. Kamara taunting the South Goal fans after scoring a goal at least 1,000 minutes after the game should have ended. And I'll never forget losing to Portland on the last home game of 2015, spelling the end of the season without a playoff trip. Rightfully so, I was nervous and uneasy coming into this one. It just felt too important. I have never felt more happy to be wrong.

The Good

Rusnák finally showed up tonight, and I love the play we saw between him and Lennon. In them, we have two players who can go wide and move around each other well, taking bodies off of Yura and Plata. It was snowing, yes--but before then, RSL's play was as explosive as it has been all season, and I know they'll want to build off of this.

The Bad

In the comment section last week, someone asked at what point will we start to see Saucedo over Plata, and quite frankly, I don't think I have an answer for this. I would love to hear what you all have to say about it, but for now, I think it's Plata's to lose and Petke will not be afraid to make that known.

The Ugly

I'll give it to the snow by default, because my goodness, that was a wonderful game.