RSL: Don't be shocked

Everyone can stop being surprised now.

Real Salt Lake is the Real Deal.

Although RSL narrowly missed finishing with the best regular season record in Major League Soccer, it was a fine season nonetheless. Several experts are picking RSL to win the MLS Cup again this year.

Such respect has been awhile coming, but a couple of things have happened. First, RSL isn’t surprised with its success anymore. Players expect to win and were genuinely ticked when they didn’t. Meanwhile, experts are finally taking note. Check out these picks on mls.com

One writer called RSL “the class of the league.”

Experts are also praising the team’s depth and consistency.

The fact RSL set a home unbeaten record this year and breezed through an amazingly busy schedule in August, September and October — which included CONCACAF games — says much.

RSL was the seventh-highest drawing team in MLS this year. That should improve considerably if Real wins the Cup again this year.

Either way, it’s probably time to stop being surprised that RSL is a leader in American pro soccer.

As they say that other kind of football, when you get in the end zone, act like you’ve been there.