This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Oceanside, Calif. • In what was the furthest thing from a beautiful game, Real Salt Lake coach Jeff Cassar described what he considered to be a beautiful goal.
You've heard this one before: Javier Morales with time outside the box, having created enough space from his defender to curl a ball into the back of the net.
"But it came from defensive pressure," Cassar explained.
Entering RSL's first preseason match of 2016 Saturday morning against San Diego State University, Cassar and his staff harped on defensive responsibilities against the Aztecs.
After RSL beat SDSU 1-0, Cassar said without the pressure and a turnover forced by rookie left back Max Lachowecki, Morales wouldn't have had the opportunity to score the first competitive goal of the club's preseason.
"It was winning the ball where we wanted to," Cassar said. "It was a great reaction to win it, and then it leads to easier goals rather than trying to break down 11 players to score every time."
The knocking off of the offseason rust continued. On Tuesday, RSL faces Club Tijuana in Mexico in another preseason exhibition.
"[Saturday] wasn't perfect, but I really thought the guys dug in," Cassar said. "We got the shutout and that's what was the main goal."
Rimando on rumors of Howard's return
Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard? Certainly has an interesting ring to it, doesn't it?
Rumors of Everton's 36-year-old goalkeeper returning to Major League Soccer have gained steam over the last two weeks. Reports from ESPNFC.com as well as NBC Sports indicate Howard is indeed open to a move back to MLS. The starting goalkeeper for the U.S. at the past two World Cups has been at Everton for the last 11 seasons, making over 400 appearances.
Howard's longtime friend, RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, said the topic has been raised before between the two.
"There's always been expressions from him going into [U.S.] camps that he wants to come back here to end his career, but I think there's lots of miles on him still," Rimando said. "They talk about old keepers: We all prime at around this age, and I think him [potentially] coming back, it's going to benefit any club he comes to."
Would Howard's potential move to the Rapids, RSL's longtime bitter regional rival, be weird to Rimando?
"No, not at all," Rimando said. "We're good friends. Obviously when you cross those lines, you forget about those things, but if Colorado gets him, good for them. He's a fantastic goalkeeper and a good friend of mine. It'll make the games a little more exciting."
Twitter: @chriskamrani