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RSL vs San Jose: What we learned

Our magic on the field led to Savarino leveling up.

MLS: San Jose Earthquakes at Real Salt Lake Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

What a lovely, entertaining experience. A multi-goal match and a shutout. We stuck it to the Earthquakes and dominated the entire match. We demoralized them and struck them down when they lost full capability and went down a man. I don’t get to complain about our finishing at all tonight. This was a must-win match for RSL to remain in playoff contention. It’s still an itch that we can scratch.

Jefferson Savarino was something else tonight. I think he took a page from Piatti’s wizardry against RSL in the previous match. He certainly cast off his apprentice mage robes and received his master wizard staff. He found great open spaces, he struck through masses of opponents, he set up his teammates, and he scored. It was a full performance from him.

And how about Luke Mulholland? I’m often worried when he plays a full ninety because he can often be counted on for a painful mistake. Not tonight. Another complete performance. He filled in for an in-form Sunny nicely. We didn’t miss a step with him on the field tonight.

But individuals aside, this was a whole team performance. Our starters did their jobs. Our bench players made a massive impact. Yura scored! Yura has been the brunt of much criticism, and rightly so, but he’s showing himself to be a professional. This team put a stamp on the match and planted a flag at Rio Tinto Stadium. This is our house.

If we can do the same against a flailing Colorado, there might just be something to get excited about. If we can play like we did tonight with consistency, RSL will return to their aspect of terror in MLS.

Overreactions

We need to replace that stupid post on the north end of the field. It had a better match than Tarbell.

Rest easy tonight. No demons will attack because Savarino’s wizardry has us protected. He earned his level three spells tonight. Gamechanging.

We actually make the playoffs.