Still seeking their first win in MLS league play, Real Salt Lake are beginning to make the small improvements that will bring them success. Their 1-1 tie Thursday against the Colorado Rapids provided ample evidence for those improvements.
In the last meeting between the teams, RSL lost 2-0 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, but in the first away match of the rivalry, RSL traded own goals with the Rapids to earn their first Rocky Mountain Cup points.
"It's going to take time," said RSL head coach Jason Kreis. "But my boys came back again after having a goal scored on them and I think we have to be extremely pleased with that."
Both teams took advantage of the wide field to create chances on the wings. Freddy Adu, in particular, frequently found acres of space on the wing where he could create attacking opportunities and take dangerous shots.
"I set out an objective for them in training to switch the ball across the field to Freddy, and we did that well tonight," said Kreis. "We'd like to get Chris Klein involved in that a little more too."
It was one of Adu's efforts that led to the own goal that tied the game for Real, but Adu lobbied after the game to put his name next to the tally.
"I took the shot, it just bounced off of him," said Adu, who was clearly eager to claim his first goal in an RSL uniform.
Although they did not sink RSL, there were still some fluky mistakes made. Several Real players had problems with the otherwise impeccable field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, falling at inopportune moments that created chances for the Rapids.
Goalkeeper Nick Rimando, starting again after two games on the bench, and the RSL back four made several key saves to keep the game level. Rimando did an especially good job stopping the efforts of Rapids forward Herculez Gomez, who looked dangerous all night.
"He is a very good player, with good pace," said Rimando. "He had some good chances tonight, but we were able to stay organized and stop all of them."
The Rapids goal came early and was a result of some real misfortune. A hard Gomez cross was deflected by Rimando and caromed off the leg of defender Jack Stewart, who otherwise played an excellent and physical game on the back line.
"The goal was just one of those freak things that happen. Nick [Rimando] came out and got a piece of it and I was going back facing the wrong way and it just came off of my hip," said Stewart. "That sort of thing rarely ever happens; even in training it never happens."
Although ultimately he seeks that first league victory, Kreis is confident that RSL is doing what it takes to get there.
"I think we are all eager and ready to get our first three points, to get our first win," said Kreis. "But we are moving in the right direction."
Geoffrey Urland is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
