Real Salt Lake's demanding July schedule was bound to take its toll.
Between July 4 and last night's 3-3 draw at Rice-Eccles Stadium against Chivas USA, a 22-day period, RSL played seven games. In other words, an average of just under three games per week.
The wear and tear on the players showed against Chivas. Midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy figured the tough schedule might have played a part in Wednesday's stoppage-time defensive breakdown that turned an almost certain victory into a tie.
"Maybe it is fatigue, I'm not sure," Ballouchy said. "We've been playing a lot of games. It's tough mentally and it's tough on the players."
Things have been most difficult on the defense. Eddie Pope sat out against Chivas, trying to give his ailing right foot a break. Nelson Akwari was unavailable after sustaining a hip contusion and a mild concussion in a collision with goalkeeper Scott Garlick last Saturday against Dallas. Plus, Danny Torres has a foot sprain that had him in crutches on Wednesday; Torres might not be back for at least another six weeks.
Real coach John Ellinger started a whole new back line against Chivas -- the defense had very little experience, and the Goats found ways to exploit the weaknesses.
The positive, however, was on offense. Real scored three goals for only the fourth time this season; Salt Lake won all three of its previous three-goal games.
"Take more shots, take the half chances, don't be afraid to shoot," Ellinger told his team in a pregame meeting. "We addressed that, and we scored some goals, but we just made dumb plays in the back. It was kind of a makeshift back four, so that's to be expected, but there's still a reasonable amount of experience back there."
Carey Talley, Andy Williams and Jeff Cunningham each scored with some beautiful shots; both Talley's and Williams' goals were their first of the season. For Talley, it was his first since the 2002 season, and it was of MLS Goal of the Year quality, a 37-yard strike that rocketed just inside the right post.
"Offensively, we were very dangerous," Ballouchy said. "One of the most dangerous games we've played; we clicked very well as a team."
The disappointing draw meant Real still sit in last place in the Western Conference with a 4-10-5 record and only 17 points. RSL is three points behind the fifth-place L.A. Galaxy and nine points behind fourth-place Chivas.
Chivas was hardly pleased with the result, although Francisco Palencia said the Goats gave a good effort.
"The effort was there, and the game was evenly played," Palencia said. "Both teams had deficiencies when passing the ball, but in the end I think we were compensated for our effort."
Peter Richins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
