Wasatch Soccer Sentinel
Real Salt Lake started brightly, but it wasn't good enough from the team to earn a point on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps. Here are three things I learned from this match.
Luca Moisa (and Aiden Hezarkhani)
I was very concerned that Luca Moisa was starting this match — not for anything about Moisa (aside from his age) but more that the state of the roster and injuries therein demanded a start for a 17-year-old. My concern was quickly put at ease: Moisa at no point felt like he was just a body filling the position. He held a greater percentage of possession for RSL than any other player save Justen Glad, held an 88% passing success rate, and was well-involved defensively. It absolutely justifies further minutes, and as his development continues, perhaps starting minutes in Leagues Cup wouldn't be amiss.
How did Zavier Gozo fare at right wing back?
It's hard to see much positive in the use of the hot prospect attacker Zavier Gozo at right wing back. It brings the talented forward further from the attack, and it emphasizes qualities that are far from his best. In one particular instance, he got drawn out of position during the run-up to Vancouver's goal.
Of course, that goal wasn't all on Gozo — no player was ready to splay out wide defensively, so this isn't just about Gozo. But certainly somebody with a more defensive capability might have been a stronger option from that defensive perspective. He attempted a shocking nine tackles, most of which were in that right back spot, and it all reminds of the familiar adage about tackles being an indication that a player's out of position. I think that's true here.
When considering the attack, it's hard to imagine that Gozo wouldn't have had more of an influence if he'd been given more of a license to attack. His speed can help break lines, his dribbling ability can offset defenders, and he is absolutely a better option than Ari Piol would be. On that note...
Ari Piol still isn't a starting-caliber player
After a start to his 2025 season that looked uncertain at best, things haven't improved for Ari Piol. His instincts are still among the worst on the team, emphasized particularly by one attacking moment when he had drawn the goalkeeper with him. A simple pass back toward the penalty spot would have seen a straightforward goal. His back-to-goal play was lacking, and his runs weren't effective.
All of that would be largely fine if Piol wasn't on a U-22 initiative deal. It's such a valuable roster spot, and there's probably not much RSL can do about that right now. But as things stand, it sure looks like a huge miss.
