It’s an opportunity to play in a final, and maybe host the final, so absolutely it’s the most important game so far. It has a playoff feel to it. – Tony Beltran
For the past seven years, Real Salt Lake has been a fixture in the MLS Playoffs, appearing in the MLS Cup twice and the conference finals two other times.
The way things are shaping up this season, though, there might not be an eighth-straight playoff appearance. The U.S. Open Cup might ultimately be RSL’s only knockout stages in 2015. And if that’s indeed the case, then Wednesday’s Open Cup semifinal at Sporting Kansas City (8:30 p.m., USsoccer.com, YouTube) is the playoffs for Real Salt Lake.
“It’s an opportunity to play in a final, and maybe host the final, so absolutely it’s the most important game so far. It has a playoff feel to it,” said RSL defender Tony Beltran.
In the midst of a brutal five-game, 15-day stretch spanning three countries, coach Jeff Cassar rested most of his starters in last week’s blowout loss to Vancouver to prepare for Wednesday’s semifinal at the site where it lost the 2013 MLS Cup final.
“I fully stand behind the decision to rest the players. It’s five games in 15 days with the worst travel in the history of the MLS, it’s impossible, you have to be smart, you have to take care of the players. After a victory on Wednesday it’s going to look really good, right,” said Cassar about last week’s lineup decision.
That won’t be the case on Wednesday, as Real Salt Lake will put its best foot forward against rival Kansas City with Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Sebastian Jaime, Joao Plata, Nick Rimando, Luke Mulholland and Tony Beltran all coming off a full week’s rest.
“We’re going to be fresher than they are, we’re going to come out with the right energy,” said Cassar.
The right amount of energy might not matter without the correct mentality. The club is in the midst of a seven-game road losing streak, with four of those losses coming by multiple goals.
One of the few places RSL’s come away with a result though was at Kansas City, as the teams played to a 0-0 draw back on April 11. In the two other meetings at Rio Tinto Stadium this summer, Cassar’s team prevailed 2-1.
“We both know what to expect from the other team. I think we’re well-rehearsed at playing big games in their stadium in front of their crowd. I think it’s going to be a fun, high-level affair,” said Beltran.
In the other Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday, Philadelphia hosts Chicago. The championship is set for Sept. 30, and if Chicago wins its semifinal it’s guaranteed to host the final. If Real Salt Lake and Philadelphia win, then the final would be played at Rio Tinto Stadium.
RSL hosted the final against D.C. United in 2013, but lost 1-0.
To secure another shot at the final, Cassar said the effort’s got to be similar to previous games against Kansas City.
“Everyone has been on the same page defensively, and when we’ve gotten our opportunities against them we’ve taken them,” said Cassar.
After Wednesday’s showdown, RSL returns home for a vital league match against Portland, the last of its whirlwind five-game, 15-day stretch.
Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer.