Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Real Salt Lake had its work cut out for it entering Wednesday's MLS season opener in Miami against Lionel Messi and recently-signed superstar Luis Suarez.
While Messi didn't score in the first game of his first full season in MLS, he assisted on the eventual game-winner by Robert Taylor in the 39th minute and orchestrated an all-you-can-eat buffet of scrumptious chances all evening, including a hockey assist to Suarez and then Diego Gomez for the second goal and backbreaker in the 83rd minute.
One of Messi's best chances to score in the first half came on his patented curling free kick, but RSL had a plan in place to try and stop it, placing its tallest defender, Justen Glad, at the far post and jumped to block the "upper 90" attempt with his head. The plan paid off, and Messi was denied a season-opener goal.
"We've all seen Messi score a free kick 100 times," Glad said. "So throughout the week we practiced it with me on the post and maybe Chicho (Arango) on the other post, just because we know he's capable of going to the top corner and it's tougher going to get there. So it was just a little extra help for Zach (MacMath), and it ended up going right to me."
The visiting Claret and Cobalt were out-shot 11-3 in the first half but came out with renewed energy in the second half to create several chances of their own, and at one point even took a 14-13 lead in total shots.
Several close chances here by #RSL in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. Still without a shot on goal. pic.twitter.com/Z1SMJ11PYu
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) February 22, 2024
"I think once we settled down late in the first half and started building our way into the game we did a good job of creating some opportunities," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "It's always gonna be a tough start coming to Miami, and I think it took a little while to get over the nerve part. But, again, I think we created some really good chances on goal; and the game is about finishing, and tonight we just couldn't find that equalizer."
Both shots on goal by RSL Wednesday were by defender Brayan Vera, with the team struggling to threaten the goalkeeper for the majority of the game. Arango struggled in front of goal and midfield maestro Pablo Ruiz looked a little rusty on his passes after a six-month layoff due to meniscus surgery.
The road team has little time to dwell on the opening loss, however, as it heads to St. Louis Saturday for the second game of a long MLS season.
"That's the beauty of it is there's another one coming up," Glad said. "So, we take what we can from this game, and we're on to the next. And then hopefully next game we can get a result, and it's all eyes forward."
Mastroeni said the lineup will likely rotate with several players putting in full shifts Wednesday, including Diego Luna exiting late in the second half due to cramps and Andrew Brody sustaining a hand injury in the first half.
