Managing Expectations

Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis on managing expectations-

“In the last couple matches, we were a victim of our own expectations. I really feel that in the Colorado match and these two Dallas matches… we were playing with this angst of, ‘What if we lose? What if we lose this series and don’t repeat as Champions?’ We expected more of ourselves, and that’s different than it ever has been here. In years past we’ve played with no fear—and I would say that’s the way [FC Dallas] is playing right now; there are no expectations on them. We played a little tentatively and a little bit scared because we were nervous to lose, and I just don’t think you can ever be at your best when you’re a little bit nervous and a little bit scared.”