Lehi » The feeling of dread no longer exists these days around Real Salt Lake.
No longer does RSL play, hoping to gut out a win. No longer does Real Salt Lake think the worst when the opposition scores the game tying goal.
These days, at least early on in the season, RSL's been making the winning plays, the ones that lead to a Javier Morales clinching goal, as was the case on Saturday in the win over D.C. United at Rio Tinto Stadium.
"We've been more disciplined this year, and we've responded well to challenges," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "The main thing is that we've finished our chances this year. We weren't doing that last year, but we've done a much better job at finishing our opportunities."
Because of this, Real Salt Lake is an unprecedented 2-1 to start the season. And if RSL can scratch out a win on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls -- no small task since they've never beaten the boys from the Big Apple -- the season could start to take on an entirely different shape than it ever has.
"We want to start piling up the points," Kreis said. "We had to scratch and claw to get to the playoffs last year. If we can get some points early, we know that will help us down the line."
The thin crowd
Real Salt Lake has averaged 11,000 fans in the two home games so far this season, which is not what they would have hoped for.
The number they wanted is closer to 15,000.
The team attributes that to the weather, which hasn't been ideal.
But the play has been good, so for the first time in team history, production on the field is no longer an excuse.
"The weather has been tough, but the fans that have come have been amazing," midfielder Chris Wingert said. "We hope for a little more, but we definitely think that it will pick up once the season progresses and the weather gets a little nicer."
Wingert's homecoming
Being from Long Island, Wingert will play in front of a number of friends and family on Saturday.
For Wingert, and the rest of his teammates, as well as Kreis, the rematch with the Red Bulls will be an opportunity to avenge last season's loss to New York in the Western Conference championship match.
"This does take on a bigger meaning," Kreis said. "We played very well that game, and we had a million chances that we didn't convert. They had a few chances and they did convert. This is going to be a big game for us."
