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Where to now?

Real Salt Lake prays it's anywhere with a slightly upward trajectory.

In its first five matches of 2017, the lackluster start has been a killer cocktail of injuries, poor performances and missed opportunities. The turbulence that eventually cost former coach Jeff Cassar his job carries on. RSL, in its first-ever matchup with expansion franchise Minnesota United, was thumped 4-2 Saturday night.

The numbers continue to speak for themselves. No wins in five games. The two points earned thus far make it the second-worst first month of an MLS campaign in franchise history. Only in 2006 did RSL's first month of the year feature fewer points. That team had one that April.

RSL (0-3-2, two points) had its first multi-goal game of 2017, but Yura Movsisyan's late goal didn't matter against Minnesota, a club that had been walloped for 18 goals in its first four outings. RSL still hasn't won a game since last August. Its winless streak spanning the past two seasons is at 13 — and counting.

"A new season starts next week with a new coach," Movsisyan said.

New boss Mike Petke clearly has his work cut out for him. RSL is down to one healthy center back in rookie Justin Schmidt. The latest injury to Aaron Maund (hamstring strain) forced midfielder Luke Mulholland to play right back. Those central defenders will recover in time. But Petke, who was hired this week, must figure out where all the pieces fit. In the first month, the pieces, most could argue, haven't clicked.

"Guys will be proving their worth to Mike," RSL interim head coach Daryl Shore said. "I don't know that much changes. However, he's going to put his blueprint to the team. Guys will have to step up."

Movsisyan said it himself after the loss: "We're in a time of transition."

It has arrived swiftly, leaving in its wake several pressing questions that need answers in the short term. Petke's tactical approach and new ideas will be on display in his first official week of training, but the psyche of the team must be a priority of his, too.

Movsisyan didn't hold back Saturday, saying the club is at zero, and that that's where they'll start. That's what RSL needs right now, he said.

"Everybody's got to prove that they're worthy of playing, [of] being in the starting 11," he said postgame. "It doesn't matter whose name it is … who's got how many caps, I do not care about that. Everybody's got to start from zero and show up."

The injuries still pile on. On Saturday, Maund rejoined fellow center backs Justen Glad (knee), Chris Schuler (hamstring) and David Horst, who recently underwent a knee scope procedure, on the list. Right back Tony Beltran (back) missed his second straight game. Jordan Allen (quad) is still dealing with pain and reserve forward Chad Barrett will miss most of the season after undergoing knee surgery Friday.

"Yeah, there's enough talent here," Mulholland said. "We just all need to be counted for, as well. Injuries happen throughout a season, and right now there's a bunch of them."

In his introductory news conference on Wednesday, Petke gripped the mic and confidently said, "I want the pressure on me." Still mired in this funk, it's not only on Petke. It's on everyone.

Mulholland has already done his best to erase the first five matches.

"We've got only 29 games to make up the difference," he said.

ckamrani@sltrib.com Twitter: @chriskamrani —

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