This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • First came the big letdown, then the big comeback. What will Wednesday against Montreal bring for Real Salt Lake?
Good question.
"Obviously, [Montreal has] got nothing to lose coming here," midfielder Will Johnson said Tuesday. "Everyone expects them to lose, just like everyone expected Chivas to lose when they came here."
RSL (3-1-0) is expected to be at full strength when the expansion Impact come to Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium, traditionally among the toughest venues in Major League Soccer for opponents to win. That notion was turned upside down on March 24 when Chivas USA stole a 1-0 win.
Montreal brings credentials similar to Chivas, with a 0-2-1 record, and is coming off a 5-2 loss to New York. RSL beat the Red Bulls 2-0 earlier this season.
However, the Impact were tied at 2-2 in the first half.
"I think it's a team that's very, very hungry," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "It's a team that's coming off a negative result but a good performance, because they outplayed New York, no doubt about it. For the first 45 minutes they were the much better team."
One thing RSL has now that it didn't against Chivas is depth. For the first time this season, Kreis had traditional leaders Alvaro Saborio, Javier Morales, Will Johnson and Nat Borchers all at his disposal in the 3-2 win that RSL earned, despite falling behind 2-1 in the second half Saturday at Portland.
If Kreis needs them, those players should all be available and may start against Montreal. However, it is more likely that Kreis will rest certain players in anticipation of Saturday's home game against Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado.
"I think guys feel better about taking a rest if they've come off a positive result," Kreis said.
The biggest challenge presented by Montreal, RSL players said Tuesday, is the unknown.
The Impact have been outscored 10-3 in their first three games of existence. Among familiar names on the Montreal roster are former RSL midfielder Collen Warner and former Skyline High School star Justin Braun, who was a forward for Chivas from 2008 to 2011.
It's not a star-loaded roster, to be sure. But RSL midfielder Ned Grabavoy said his team should still be wary.
"You need to be ready for anything or any guys thrown out there," Grabavoy said, "because you never know with a team like that. There could be a lot of changes or new guys, new formations, whatever it might be. I think it's more about us, to be honest with you. I think it's more about us being assertive in the way we want to play."
Twitter: @oramb —
Real Salt Lake vs. Montreal
P At Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy)
Kickoff • 7 p.m.
TV • CW30 (9 p.m. tape delay)
Radio • 700 AM, 102.3 FM
Records • RSL 3-1-0, Montreal 0-2-1
About RSL • Real Salt Lake will attempt to win consecutive games for the second time this season, after winning 3-2 Saturday in Portland. … Against the Timbers, Kyle Beckerman scored his fifth game-winner in nearly five seasons with the team.
About the Impact • In their first season in MLS, the Impact are looking for their first win after losses to New York and Columbus and a draw against Chicago. … Former Skyline star Justin Braun now plays for Montreal after spending four seasons with Chivas USA. … Montreal midfielder Collen Warner spent three seasons with RSL before he was selected by the Impact in the expansion draft.