the ball slipping through Hartman's hands and between his legs before rolling into the goal.
In stoppage time, substitute Atiba Harris was tackled from behind by Tyrone Marshall, and referee Terry Vaughn pointed to the spot. But Hartman dove to his right to turn aside Andy Williams' penalty, though the Galaxy couldn't find an equalizer in the remaining seconds.
Real head coach John Ellinger made one change to the team that suffered the 6-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls the Saturday before. Jack Stewart, sent off in the eighth minute of that game, was suspended and replaced by Nelson Akwari.
Here's Ellinger's team (4-4-2): Scott Garlick - Kevin Novak, Nelson Akwari, Eddie Pope, Willis Forko - Chris Klein, Mehdi Ballouchy, Carey Talley, Andy Williams - Jeff Cunningham (Atiba Harris 88), Jason Kreis (Jafet Soto 70). [Substitutes Not Used: Chris Brown, Kenny Cutler, Cameron Knowles, Jay Nolly, Jamie Watson]
"We played well from start to the finish. I thought we played very composed, disciplined on defense and had good shape throughout the whole game. As far as the character of this team, I think they showed their character tonight," Ellinger said. "We put Saturday's game at New York behind us, and showed our fans, our city, each other what we are really about. It is a strong group, a lot of pride, a lot of passion."
TEAM NEWS
It seemed Real had forgotten about last Saturday's debacle in New York, even before the game began. RSL's last game ended in a 6-0 victory for the Red Bulls; the result equaled the third-worst in Major League Soccer history, and is Real's worst in terms of goals allowed and goal differential. Going into that game, RSL had won four consecutive games, the longest winning streak in team history.
"There wasn't anything that needed to be said," Real forward Jason Kreis said. "We all knew where we stood, we were all disappointed with the way the game went on Saturday night, and we were all determined to make things different tonight."
After the hard times RSL had suffered through, the goal seemed to be a sign of things turning around. "Hartman made some great saves on some pretty good shots by us, and I thought we were coming pretty close to getting one off the restarts as well," Ellinger said. "To have that one go in, it's nice to have that happen every once in a while. It's what it takes." Said defender Kevin Novak: "We've been talking all year about the ball bouncing our way. When the ball bounces our way like that, and you get a win like that, it definitely helps us."
They were also the kind of goals that didn't go Real's way in their inaugural season. "We've made a lot of strong gains this year: coming together as a team, playing better soccer, finishing our chances," said Ellinger. "Tonight I thought we played well start to finish."
Ellinger was particularly pleased with the play of Williams, who has greatly contributed to Real's 6-2-1 record since the midway point of the season. "He's playing at a different level right now," said Ellinger to the Deseret Morning News. "He's one of several guys who've raised their level in the last six weeks, and it's why we have a chance to make the playoffs right now."
Real now sits in a fourth-place tie with Colorado in the Western Conference, following the Rapids' 2-0 loss to Dallas on Wednesday. Saturday will be Real's second game in a row against a team they are tied with in the standings, and that is fighting to keep its playoff hopes alive.
"For both teams it's huge," Real defender Eddie Pope said. "Both teams are trying to make the playoffs; it's a big swing, they are in our conference, they are in our way, so it's a big game."
Said Ellinger: "It will be a fatigue factor for both teams and for us it is trying to do the things we did right the last time we played them. It's a big game for us. Hopefully by the end of the night we'll be in fourth place; maybe have a shot at third place."
COLORADO RAPIDS
The Colorado Rapids returned home and lost for the third time in five games, dropping a 2-0 decision to Western Conference leader FC Dallas on Wednesday night in Denver. The Rapids are now in a tie for fourth place with Real, both teams with 32 points, though Colorado has played 24 matches, one fewer. The pair is three points ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy and two behind Chivas USA.
LAST MATCH
FC Dallas had seen their lead atop the Western Conference diminish while in the throes of a three-game losing streak, while the Rapids were coming off a two-game road trip that had seen them come home with one point.
The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute. Ronnie O'Brien swung in a cross from the right flank and Ramon Nunez rose up to meet at the edge of the goal area, heading it past Joe Cannon. It was the first goal scored by the Hoops in 295 minutes.
Then just before the hour, Richard Mulrooney collected a pass at the top of the restraining arc and hit a low shot that kissed off the inside the post past a helpless Cannon to seal the victory.
Rapids boss Fernando Clavijo made three changes to the team that lost 1-0 to the Chicago Fire the Saturday before at Toyota Park. Hunter Freeman, Pablo Mastroeni and Kyle Beckerman were all suspended, so Dan Gargan came in at right back, Clint Mathis made his third start since mid-June and Jovan Kirovski also returned to the lineup.
Here's Clavijo's team (4-3-1-2): Joe Cannon - Dan Gargan, Aitor Karanka, Mike Petke (Chris Wingert 46), Eric Denton (Colin Clark 59) - Nicolas Hernandez, Daniel Wasson, Jacob Peterson - Clint Mathis - Jovan Kirovski (Fabrice Noel 80), Thiago Martins. [Substitutes Not Used: Matt Jordan, Stephen Keel, Alain Nkong, Melvin Tarley]
"We didn't play. I don't know if it was because of fatigue or what it was. We looked flat, we didn't possess the ball well, we gave it away and it was one of those games," Clavijo said. "We have to put it behind us and forget about it. I'm not happy; I feel this is one of the worst defeats. I'm very disappointed tonight."
TEAM NEWS
With just five points from 10 road matches, the Rapids have the poorest record on their travels in MLS. Their eight victories in Denver is the second-most in MLS - yet it was a difficult loss at home against FC Dallas.
"We have to regroup and go out and perform on Saturday. The amount of games we have played in the last 14 days doesn't help either. Missing the players that we were missing didn't help, but it isn't an excuse," Clavijo said. "We picked it up in the second half but it was too late. We have two more games at home and a lot on the road. We have to get out there and do the job on the road."
The Rapids now go back on the road for two matches, and have six of their final eight away from Invesco Field at Mile High.
The Rapids also suffered a blow at halftime when center back Mike Petke was forced out of the lineup, replaced by Chris Wingert, making just his second appearance since the end of May. Petke suffered a hip flexor injury and was concerned it could be serious.
The Rapids are now in a fight for their playoff survival. Should they lose Saturday and the Los Angeles Galaxy defeat the Kansas City Wizards at home later that night, Colorado and L.A. will be tied for fifth place in the Western Conference - both out of the playoff picture for the time being.
"It's time to look within ourselves for what's going on," Rapids midfielder Daniel Wasson said. "It's down to the end (the Rapids have two more home games). Obviously, we didn't score a goal, but it's not as if we pitched a shutout, either."
