by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers says it was team unity that fueled their surprise championship drive, but credited the odd late season lull in their schedule that allowed everyone to properly get on the same page.

The Royal Army were hanging on to slim playoff hopes when an odd 17-day break from Major League Soccer games allowed the coaches to make a few changes and the players to find top form as a unit.

The Rio Tinto bunch closed the regular season with two wins from three, including a closing day cruise past arch rivals Colorado to claim the league's final playoff spot.

From there, RSL bumped off defending champs Columbus and squeaked past conference final hosts Chicago to reach MLS Cup, where they did the same to the Los Angeles Galaxy to raise their first piece of silver in five years as a franchise.

"That break we took in October was crucial to our run," newly crowned champion Borchers told Soccer365. "We came together as a group after the coaching staff challenged us to be better."

"We also switched formations from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2. I think this change was also really important to our offensive style and possession of the ball. It seemed like the break and the formation change gave us a ton of confidence moving forward!"

Though Sunday's events are still freshly etched in his mind, Borchers says a couple of elements of their championship night have already produced some sweet nostalgia. 

"I think that the solidarity of the team was the most memorable (thing) from MLS Cup," he declared. "We had no doubt that we would win, even after the first goal L.A. scored against us."
 
"I also loved the way the RSL fans came together in Seattle to support us," added Borchers. "They were absolutely everywhere in Seattle!"

"For every one L.A. Galaxy fan, there were four RSL fans. They really energized us and celebrating with them after the game was sweet."

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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