Talking Tactics: What is a successful season?

Another week another two points dropped as the Real Salt Lake skid continues. It is hard to imagine that a squad that had a 98 percent chance of making the post-season a mere four weeks ago is now only projected to have a 70 percent chance. No matter how you spin it, that is a huge drop-off.

In his Mutant Gene podcast, Alexi Lalas described what success is in the “artificial” terrain of Major League Soccer. He suggests that a club making into the playoffs would considered their season record a good one, but I do not necessarily agree. Take for instance the 27 scenarios that effect RSL for Decision Day. Sure 26 of them result in the Claret-and-Cobalt making the playoffs, but is narrowly…