It’s no secret that Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake do not like each other. In 2021, David Ochoa tried his best to add every other team in the league to that list. Ochoa’s antics, which include trolling opponents, kicking the ball into the stands, and the CONCACAF-iest dark arts, provoked players, coaches, and fans alike.
In the midst of all of that, head coach Freddy Juarez resigned mid-season to become an assistant for Seattle Sounders. Pablo Mastroeni was named interim coach and led RSL to a 7th place finish in the Western Conference (advancing only because of a missed handball in the box against Justin Glad.