fully stretched out to his right and holding on to a Kyle Beckerman blast from 25 yards out -- that gave Real the confidence they were missing. With Jeff Cunningham having both Pablo Mastroeni (the main culprit in last year's debacle) and Mike Petke always having a arm, leg or stud near, Jeff's main threat was over the top, and without the support needed, the chances were few and far between. Eddie Pope stood up to the challenge of leading Real defensively once again, coming up with huge defensive plays when required. Whether it was covering a fellow defender or providing a simple, well-positioned clearance, the Olympic and World Cup veteran was on the spot while still winning his own one-on-one battles.
With Colorado knocking the ball into the defensive third of Real Salt Lake, a battle was set between Roberto Brown and Torres. Bodying each other and both getting handfuls of jersey, Torres made the fatal mistake of allowing a ball to bounce off the turf, resulting in the ball bouncing another 25 feet into the air while still traveling towards Seitz and the RSL goal. Getting wrong-footed and losing his momentum, Torres was unable to stay stride for stride with Brown, who was able to collect the ball and settle while still going towards goal.
Torres, known for his recovery abilities, was able to get back behind the ball while Seitz had been cutting down the angle, but slipped at the most crucial moment, allowing Brown the split second needed to finish precisely into Seitz's upper right corner.
0-1 Colorado, 71st minute
Now I've never been a fan of referees. I don't envy them. I don't enjoy them. I think when they make a call that has a definite effect on the game, it's just flat out wrong.
With Stewart leaning in on Hercules Gomez and toe-poking the ball back towards the goalie, Chris Seitz made the decision to pick the ball up, thinking that the referee would know that it was an un-intentional back pass.
Nope. Indirect free kick 14 yards out.
With a slight roll to the right, Gomez sent a rocket shot into a diving Cunningham (whose defensive work ethic this year has been outstanding -- he's been forcing defenders to knock balls out of bounds all season long), and the ball rolled towards an onrushing Kyle Beckerman, who laced a right footed blast that deflected off a Real player on its way to the back of the net.
0-2 Colorado, 75th minute
Okay, so if that call isn't made, being down 0-1 with 19+ minutes left still gives Real an opportunity to even the score. I'm just saying ...
Being an ex-player, and one who's played for Real Salt Lake during the hard times, I truly think accountability has to start with the players themselves. The situation that the team has put itself in isn't because they've been overmatched or outplayed. Ultimately, they are the ones responsible for winning or losing their one-on-one battles and match-ups. If they make mistakes, right now they are being punished with goals scored against.
Meanwhile, Real hasn't found the way to put the ball in the back of the net with that killer instinct if opposing teams make the same mistakes. Very easily this team could have six points and not be in the position they are now.
A lot of questions will be asked this week ahead of RSL's matchup against a team that's considered the class of MLS so far this season in the New York Red Bulls. It should be the biggest test to date for a Real Salt Lake squad that desperately needs three points ahead of a long road trip.
Brian Dunseth, the former Captain of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team, who scored the game-winning goal in Real Salt Lake's first-ever win in its home opener in 2005 vs. rival Colorado, can be heard each week on KALL 700 AM the Zone, providing analysis during RSL game broadcasts and co-hosting the pre- and post-game shows for RSL home games. A nine-year veteran of MLS play, Dunseth is now a licensed realtor for The Bringhurst Group in Salt Lake City, and looks forward to your feedback at brian@slchouses.com.
