SALT LAKE CITY - After a brief stint in the win column, Real Salt Lake went back to their old ways on Wednesday.
They played well enough to win, but just could not pull it off against a Toronto FC team with Jeff Cunningham bent on proving a point.
"This is our home field, we've got to get after teams and not let up," coach Jason Kreis said after the 2-1 loss on the Fourth of July. "It's not enough to create a few chances at the beginning of the game and then let your foot off the pedal. You've got to keep it down and keep driving it in and keep creating chances, and know that we are going to be the aggressors on our home field."
Now, with a match against the Columbus Crew coming up on Saturday, Real have to do what they have done all season.
"It's a disappointment, and we've just got to go into the next game and be ready for Columbus; go a little bit early and just be mentally prepared to play," midfielder Carey Talley said. "The last few games that we've played, the possession's been a lot better for us, and we're moving better as a unit. It's getting better, but it just comes down to finishing chances; it's got to be better."
In the second half of Wednesday's game, Kreis put Jamie Watson and Kyle Brown into the game, looking to ramp up his attack. He was pleased with what the pair brought, but not completely.
"They added a spark," Kreis said. "Jamie got in behind and got a couple of chances and nearly scored. To be frank, Jamie comes in the game like that and seems to get a chance now for the past three games. He's got to finish it, period, the end. You've got to finish at the end."
Watson came within inches of a goal twice on Wednesday, just missing outside the far post with a left-footed in-swinger before hitting the top of the crossbar moments later. To be sure, Watson is feeling pressure to put those kind of shots away, but many others on the team must feel the same way. Real outshot Toronto 11-5.
"We got enough chances again, clear cut scoring chances, that aren't getting scored," Kreis said. "You have to believe that when the focus is put in the right spot and when the guys concentrate enough, that we will put those away. We created enough chances."
Against Columbus, Real could have Chris Brown available again. Brown scored two goals in Real's recent 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy, but has since been rehabilitating a hamstring injury. With Brown available, Watson might not get the same chances again.
"Myself, I only get a few chances every game, so my worth is proved in the reserve matches and in the practices," Watson said. "You've just got to come in every day fighting for your job, because nobody is safe and you have seen that by some of the trades. You don't wish that on anybody, but that's part of the business."
Peter Richins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
