Real Salt Lake looked dead in the water with only 20 minutes remaining against the MetroStars in their Independence Day tilt at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The casual observer wouldn't have given RSL much of chance to salvage a point on their home field, down a man trying to fight back from a two-goal deficit. But RSL never gave up, rallying for a 2-2 draw.
"There was no doubt in our mind tonight that we [were] going to win the game," said 'keeper D.J. Countess, "No doubt."</p>
That self assurance came to fruition when Seth Trembly replaced defender Brian Kamler to give RSL a more attack-oriented look. In the 78th minute, Trembly found the ball at his feet just off the top corner of the 18-yard box. He took a step just inside the box and fired rocket into the side netting, just out of the reach of MetroStars 'keeper Zach Wells, for his second goal of the year.</p>
"I had no idea where the 'keeper was," said Trembly of his goal. "I just saw the far post and knew if I could get side netting he couldn't get to it. I just hit it right."</p>
With the score 2-1, the home crowd got behind RSL and the momentum made a definite shift in favor of the home team. An offensive flurry ensued that seemed to rejuvenate RSL.</p>
"Seth added that last little bit that we needed tonight," said Real Salt Lake head coach John Ellinger of his well-timed substitution.</p>
Team captain Jason Kries agreed, "Seth gave us a spark, he has a lot of hustle and you know you are going to get that every time he steps on the field."</p>
That little bit of spark came in handy for Kreis himself when he found himself on the end of a ball Clint Mathis played over the top into the box in the 89th minute. Kries didn't get a clean shot off, but he was able to draw a penalty. Kreis shrugged off the pressure by easily beating a diving Wells to even the score in stoppage time.</p>
"The nerves are still there," Kreis said about taking penalty kicks. "I've been in the league 10 years and 90-something goals, but I still get nervous ... When I'm not nervous anymore, I'll know it will be time to quit."</p>
On this night, there was no quit in RSL. Even after the final whistle RSL felt they could have taken three points.</p>
"We could have walked away with a win tonight," Kreis said. "We had the chances, we just didn't convert."
David Hale is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
