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Sandy • The Vancouver Whitecaps have won just two matches this season, and sit in seventh place in the Western Conference. But Real Salt Lake boss Jason Kreis says Saturday's matchup with the Canadian club is as important as any his team has played so far.

"This is as critical a game as we've faced all year," he said after training Friday at Rio Tinto Stadium. "To come back from a very disappointing performance last weekend (a 2-0 defeat at home to the L.A. Galaxy), we need to make a statement to ourselves about how good we are, and how willing we are to work, and how much we want things. So, for me, it's a critical match."

Asked if his team has shown a greater focus this week because of the loss, Kreis said he'll wait another day before making his assessment.

"For me, the proof is always in the 90 minutes," he said. "These guys work hard every day. I have no complaints about the work they put into any training session. ... But they need to put it in tomorrow night."

Fatigue factor

The Whitecaps played to a 2-2 draw last Saturday and then had to follow that up with a midweek match. Vancouver beat Edmonton FC on Wednesday to advance to the finals of the Amway Canadian Championship.

Kreis, however, is not expecting that to hurt them tomorrow.

"I think there's a physiological output that your body is capable of making," he said. "For me, three games in a week is not ideal for our sport. But I know Vancouver did a lot of rotating players Wednesday night. I don't think fatigue should hurt them."

Speed kills

RSL got a glimpse of Vancouver's attacking speed last month, and is expecting more of the same from the Whitecaps on Saturday.

"I think it's going to be tough to keep them off the scoreboard," defender Nat Borchers said. "They've got Darren Mattocks, who provides a spark for them. He's quick, man. He's a lot faster than you expect him to. He gets to some balls that most strikers don't get to. We're going to have to be aware of him and Camilo [Sanvezzo] and [Nigel] Reo-Coker and anybody else who comes in to our zone."

Forward fitness

RSL's Olmes Garcia trained fully Friday despite being listed as questionable this week with a groin injury. Forward Robbie Findley, however, was not a full participant as he deals with a knee injury. Leading goal scorer Alvaro Saborio is out for Saturday's match with a quad strain.

­— Aaron Falk

Twitter: @aaronfalk