The significance of that change culminated in 2015, when the organization did not qualify for the MLS postseason for the first time in seven seasons. The club produced the fewest goals scored in a season (38) since 2007, while also conceding the most (48) since 2006, its second year in the league.
"We were put in a bad position and there was no reason why we took a step back last year, but we did … It didn't have to be like that," RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said. "Maybe it'll be a good thing looking forward. There's no reason we had to have that year last year.