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Sandy • Only 15 minutes after the game, the Real Salt Lake locker room was nearly empty. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando had walked out. Midfielder Will Johnson had walked out. Forward Fabian Espindola and a whole host of others had left unusually briskly.
Not many players had anything to say about a bitterly disappointing 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew on Saturday night. Early goals on defensive miscues buried RSL in the first 10 minutes, and for the first time, Columbus won a game at Rio Tinto Stadium.
"We were prepared, but I think they came out with a game plan and caught us napping a couple times," midfielder Andy Williams said. "They kind of took over the game and kept creating chances after chances. We adjusted after that, but couldn't come through."
From the start, RSL appeared to be in disarray while Columbus asserted control. The back line, missing injured All-Star defender Jamison Olave, botched its coverage on a throw-in. The mental error allowed midfielder Robbie Rogers to break through and pass to a wide-open Eddie Gaven, who scored with ease.
Only five minutes later, Rogers worked the ball into the back corner on RSL's side, then sent a cross into the box. Forward Tommy Heinemann beat out Chris Wingert on the ball to deliver a header that bounced past Rimando's outstretched hands and gave Columbus a 2-0 lead.
It was an early flop that was made all the more surprising because the Crew's top two scorers did not play in the match. In the past five games, Columbus had only scrounged up two goals, but it found a way to embarrass the MLS's top defensive unit. For RSL, it was the first time all season the team had allowed two goals in the first 10 minutes of a game.
"It came down to mental lapses," coach Jason Kreis said. "I'm not so sure you could say [Olave's absence] caused a big difference. I think really it was our entire defensive effort."
Although the defense was able to shut out the Crew for the remaining 80 minutes — thanks in no small part to some spectacular saves by Rimando — the struggles continued on offense. Making the start in place of suspended forward Alavaro Saborio was Jean Alexandre, who missed two big first-half opportunities.
A sliding kick on a pass from Espindola seemed particularly promising, but the shot went high. The forward was a bit downcast talking about the plays after the game.
"I can't really say anything held us back," Alexandre said. "I had two chances I really should've put away, but unfortunately I didn't. I wouldn't say they dominated us, but they did put their chances away early."
RSL picked up some life in the second half, taking 12 shots to the Crew's two. Substitutes Arturo Alvarez, Collen Warner and Luis Gil brought some juice to the attack, but it wasn't enough.
Backup goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum had a few tremendous saves for Columbus, particularly on a one-on-one matchup with a charging Espindola. Even calls went against RSL, and the team especially frothed about a no-call on a Columbus handball in the box.
Frustration dogged RSL throughout the second half. Emotions eventually exploded as Espindola had to be restrained from attacking Crew defender Julius James, with whom he had gone back and forth most of the night.
It was certainly a disheartening home effort for RSL, which had not lost to an opponent twice in one season since 2008 against Chivas USA. It hurt them as well in the standings: The team is in fifth place and trails rival Colorado by a point. The second half of the season is chock-full of away games, so if RSL intends to be a playoff contender, it will have to get some better results on the road.
"Unfortunately, we lost at home," Williams said. "We have to pick up those points somewhere else."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Storylines Quick goals lift Crew over RSL
R RSL gives up two goals in the first 10 minutes of a game for the first time this season.
• Columbus midfielder Robbie Rogers takes advantage of injuries to RSL defenders Jamison Olave and Tony Beltran, setting up two goals.
• Despite a 16-10 shooting edge, RSL can't score against reserve goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum.