Mike Petke pulled away his starting back line, one of the youngest in MLS history, from the rest of the team to talk to just those players.
Their average age was just older than 21 years old, and two of them had transitioned to fullback this season. Yet the Real Salt Lake coach told them and the media that he was confident in the group heading into Saturday’s match against Colorado.
“Our defenders kept them to zero shots on goal,” Petke said after Monday’s training session, “so I think that my prediction came true.”
RSL’s back line in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over 10-man Colorado came just short of the youngest in MLS history.