Three things we learned from RSL’s 3-2 win over D.C. United

Here are three things we learned from Real Salt Lake’s 3-2 win over D.C. United.

1. Humble Rimando

When Nick Rimando earned his 200th career win Saturday night, he wasn’t focused on his personal milestone. He was focused on the fact his team earned another win, and that’s part of what makes him so beloved in the RSL organization. Rimando is a team player, and his teammates and coaches know that.

“It always comes down to the three points and I wouldn’t want someone on my team who wants personal glory and that’s Nick to a ‘T,’” said head coach Mike Petke following the game.

Rimando also didn’t want to take all the credit for his 200 wins. He made sure to thank his teammates, past and current, for competing alongside him. So while 200 wins sure is sweet, what’s more sweet in Rimando’s eyes is that the team avoided losing three games in a row.

2. Honing fine details

After a disappointing performance on the road against Orlando City SC last week, Petke wanted his guys to do a better job in one-one-situations, and they did just that against D.C. United. Jefferson Savarino got ahead of the United defense and was precise in his ball movement to assure his one-on-one opportunity would not go to waste in the 56th minute. After the game, Petke praised all three goal-scorers  for their efforts.

“Corey had a phenomenal goal there, same with [Jefferson] Savarino, same with Albert [Rusnák],” Petke said.Sometimes it’s a coin flip unfortunately, but those three guys took their chances tonight and put away those goals and perhaps we could have had one of two more. ”

3. Baird special to watch

Corey Baird netted his third goal of the season against D.C. United, and the 22-year-old is proving to everyone he deserves his starting role on the squad.

The Real Salt Lake Academy product scored in his first appearance off the bench against the New York Red Bulls, and April 7 he got his first start. Since then he’s been on a roll. He gives Real an unexpected weapon — one the team didn’t know it would have at the start of the year — and he’s winning the admiration of his teammates by his work ethic.