SALT LAKE CITY - Things should be different for Real Salt Lake when the team opens up the season on Saturday.
The match against FC Dallas marks the first time RSL, now in their third year, has opened up the season at home. Two years ago, RSL opened the season in a howling gale that left them in a scoreless tie with New York. Last year, Real started out with an embarrassing loss to Chivas at The Home Depot Center.
But now, Freddy Adu is committed to getting Real off to a better start.
"We just want to get off to a great start, because that's something this team hasn't done the past two seasons, and they haven't made the playoffs," Adu said. "That's the key for us in making the playoffs, is to get off to a good start."
Salt Lake was the hottest team in Major League Soccer in the second half of the season, but could not overcome its 0-5-1 start last year. But this year, Real play four of their first five games at home in addition to a U.S. Open Cup match against Kansas City, also to be played at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"The attitude has been that we are picking up where we left off," coach John Ellinger said. "We all feel that we ran out of games last year; we were playing well enough to get into the playoffs and we were playing well against the teams that actually did something in the playoffs."
The last time Real faced the Hoops in Salt Lake City, RSL rallied while playing a man down to earn the victory. This time, the odds might be in Real's favor: the team has all the pieces it needs to succeed in place from the beginning of the season, and the players already are familiar with each other.
"Our team, from Nick Rimando to Jeff Cunningham, that's a great starting 11," Adu said. "That's an unbelievable starting 11."
Ellinger anticipates FCD to play an aggressive style, pushing players forward in an offensive mindset. Between Arturo Alvarez, Kenny Cooper and Carlos Ruiz, Dallas has plenty of scoring options. But Ellinger also believes Real could take advantage of Dallas in the midfield.
"The midfield is the key; I think everyone feels the midfield is the question mark for them," Ellinger said. "If they are going to keep pushing numbers forward, there are going to be gaps opening up in the center midfield and there are going to be gaps opening up on the flanks."
If Real's defensive four, Willis Forko, Jack Stewart, Danny Torres and Eddie Pope, can hold out against the Dallas attack, Salt Lake should find a victory.
"They play an aggressive style, as far as their attack," Ellinger said. "They are committed to going forward. They look pretty potent, and you have to be aware of where those guys are at all times."
With the first kick less than two days away, Adu is looking forward more than ever to the new season with Real.
"I can't wait," Adu said. "I've been waiting for a long time, and I can't wait to play in front of the Salt Lake fans. I love this stadium, and I love the atmosphere here."
Peter Richins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
