Emeka Eneli on key RSL decision that led to big success this season
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Who saw this coming? Real Salt Lake has surprised Major League Soccer by surging into the top spot in MLS' Western Conference. They lead the traditional power in Seattle by 15 points and are three and five points in front of the wealthy clubs in Southern California, LAFC and the LA Galaxy, respectively. How has this happened? There are plenty of theories and I ran them past RSL defensive midfielder Emeka Eneli. He brought all the theories together under an umbrella of his own.
Clearly Chicho Arango is having a career year. His 16 goals are just one short of the club record set by Alvaro Saborio in 2012. His 16 goals lead MLS and Chicho's nine assists are fourth best across the league. The 25 goal contributions are tied with Messi for the most in MLS. If you want to say Chicho is an MVP candidate, who can argue? But it is possible for a good defense to shut down one gifted attacker, unless there is someone else to take the open space and punish defenders. When opponents inevitably pinch in to defend Chicho, winger Andres Gomez has taken over. With eight goals and six assists, he is on pace to post a double-double and only eight players managed to post double figures in goals and assists last season.
So, is the key to RSL's season Chicho's career year or Gomez break out season? Maybe, it is the third theory. The addition of left back Alexandros Katranis and his ability to defend at one end line, attack at the other end line, and then recover and defend again has keyed the club's move from a 4-2-3-1 formation and made it possible to defend in a 4-4-2 formation and then attack in a 3-2-4-1.
But, Emeka Eneli says the club made a decision that benefitted all three players and several of their teammates. Watch the interview here.
RSL returns to action Saturday, June 15 in Montreal. Watch the highlights and post-game interviews on KUTV Talkin' Sports at 10:35. The Utah Royals play in San Jose, Sunday, June 16th at 8pm. You can watch the game on KMYU.