Real Salt Lake 1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
June 4, 2022; B.C. Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Real Salt Lake (7-4-4, 25 points); Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5-7-2, 17 points)
Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni
On his assessment of the game:
“I think we played a really good game, forcing the game to come down to moments. We lost on our own set piece, but overall, we managed the game really well. We created enough to win the game, so it’s unfortunate not to come away with anything on this one, but every loss is an opportunity to learn and move forward.”
On the final ten minutes:
“We were controlling the game and we did a really good job of keeping the ball and keeping pressure in our attacking half. The idea is to stay organized, and we had some good options to try and win the game. Again, it comes down to a set piece that’s broken down and a play in transition, but we’ll go back and watch the tape and make decisions from there.”
On how RSL has overcome different variables since the start of preseason:
“It’s been a really interesting time for the group, and again, we haven’t made a big deal about all the different scenarios that have been thrown our way. We’ve just been able to, as a group, find a way to overcome difficult circumstances. Does it feel good going into the break with this result? No. But again, the performance is a reflection of the evolution of this group as we get more bodies back and everyone back into the group. We know we have a couple weeks to really hit it hard, dissect a couple performances and really push forward to the second half of the season.”
On how this loss will provide motivation:
“Losses force you to reflect, both individually and as a collective. Now there’s a real sense of coming back and starting off on a good foot at home. I couldn’t be more proud of the effort, commitment and the football the guys have played in the last month. These losses force you to reset, force the concentration to be at the utmost as we get back to work. It’s a tough way to end the first part of the season, but we’ll bounce back.”
Midfielder Diego Luna
On his MLS debut and how the team started the game off:
“It felt good. A couple minutes to start off my career, to step on the field, and the atmosphere was pretty cool. I just came in earlier this week, so I don’t really have much to say yet. The way we started was not how we wanted, but it happens to everyone. It was just cool being in that atmosphere and having all those fans, knowing that’s something I’ve dreamt of–to reach the top level in the United States. It was really cool running around and getting a couple touches in.”
On being welcomed to the team:
“It’s been really nice to have people welcome me into the club and not throw me to the side. They always involve me in things, so it’s been a good place to join, and I’m really liking it.”
On the energy in the locker room:
“Everything’s very positive in the locker room. Right now, we’re upset because nobody wants to lose, but we pick our heads up for the next game. We don’t keep our heads down and take that to the next game, we move on and we get the three points next game.”
Forward Justin Meram
On his mentality during the game:
“We were there. We had chances to take the lead. I thought it was a great performance. We just had some unlucky plays happen. We have to pick each other up. We got away from the game a bit, but we’re fired up and ready to go again. Whenever you don’t win on the road, we have to hold our heads high. We put in a performance, we just got the short end of it tonight.
On working with the new teammates:
“They’ve only been here a short amount of time. We’re just trying to get them integrated with the group and make them feel at home and welcomed so we can give them confidence. Regardless of the result, we’re still a very confident team, and we can hang with the best of the best. We’re still going to put up a fight week in and week out.”
