Pull for Real Salt Lake, Or Hate Their Guts

If you're a fan of an MLS side that doesn't happen to be Real Salt Lake, who should you support in tonight's CONCACAF semifinal and, potentially the CONCACAF final? The MLS side, Real Salt Lake, obviously! Unless you completely hate them.

This one isn't that hard to figure out. There's been a lot of sniping and bickering on twitter among a number of belligerents, some with fair points about MLS's obnoxious chest-thumping and promotion of the "#MLS4RSL" hash-tag. But really, unless you hate Real Salt Lake's guts, there is almost no question among which outcome is better for MLS fans. Not only does a MLS win in Costa Rica tonight (not to mention in the CONCACAF final) raise the profile of MLS and allow it to attract better talent, it literally raises the league's standing in the international soccer world. Most of Europe relies on the antiquated, bizarrely relevant metrics of the IFFHS, which bases most of its ratings on success in international play like EUFA and CONCACAF champions' leagues. A successful showing on the international stage would raise MLS' standing in the rankings, and thus would benefit all MLS clubs. Wouldn't another MLS club's triumph over the rest of the teams in the continent make a victory by your own favorite side's victory over that club even sweeter? There's something to be said for having worthy adversaries. MLS fans should welcome the challenge.

Plus: the Central American and Mexican clubs almost always win! Who doesn't like to root for an underdog, especially when you can follow them domestically?

I understand why someone wouldn't want to see Real Salt Lake succeed. If they're your rival, then you always want them to lose. I get that. I took special joy in Seattle's humiliating loss to Monterrey in CONCACAF play last fall. For good measure, here's the video:



But unless hating Real Salt Lake is really important to you, you might as well root in your self-interest, and there's little question that a good showing in CONCACAF is good for every team in MLS. Then again, there's a case to be made that Real Salt Lake should be more hated more often. After all, they're named after a foreign monarch and every fascist's favorite team, and they're based in suburban Utah. I spotted a fan in the Saprissa stands tonight wearing a Real Madrid shirt, and I couldn't help but wonder exactly what that meant.

Additional note of parochial import: Real Salt Lake visits Portland the weekend after the CONCACAF Final, and a good showing by them there increases the possibilities of a letdown game in humble ol' Goose Hollow. Worthy adversaries, etc, etc. RSL has looked almost unstoppable so far this season, and Timbers, well, haven't. If RSL is in the CONCACAF Final, I still like their chances in Portland, only very slightly less.