Sandy » Coach Jason Kreis did not seem thrilled with a conference call question Tuesday about the possibility that Real Salt Lake will become the first team in modern American professional sports to win a championship with a losing regular-season record.
"Wow, it sounds like we better not even go," he answered, sarcastically. "I mean, we don't have a chance, do we?"
RSL is once again viewed as the underdog against the high-profile Los Angeles Galaxy at the MLS Cup in Seattle on Sunday. Oddsmakers have made RSL a +295 underdog to win at Sportsbook.com.
But Kreis said it would be unfair to regard RSL too unfavorably, because its 11-12-7 regular-season record was just barely under break-even.
"I have a lot of belief in this team not based on results," he said, "not based on the fact that we were the eighth-place finisher in the league this year. I have a lot of faith in this team because I know what they're capable of, and at the moment, they're playing close to their capability and close to their potential."
Home away from home
Fans who plan to travel for the big game will find an RSL headquarters at the popular FX McRory's Steak Chop & Oyster House just north across the street from Qwest Field in Seattle.
Owners of what's typically a Seattle Sounders bar are allowing RSL to become their "home team" for the weekend, with team memorabilia decorating the place and half of it reserved for RSL fans on Saturday night. The bar also will be open after 10 a.m. Sunday.
Joining the club
Team owner Dave Checketts has completed his deal to sell 49 percent of the team, and will introduce local real estate developer Dell Loy Hansen as his new co-owner today at Rio Tinto Stadium.
News of the deal broke last week, and Hansen told a local business newspaper that he will be a "local partner" primarily responsible for "financial, payables and sponsorship relationships."
A spokesman for Checketts said the deal is neither tied to his effort to buy the NFL's St. Louis Rams nor a signal that team is facing financial problems. Kreis said he hopes the new capital can help RSL to build a practice facility closer to the stadium. Hansen could be paying upwards of $52 million for his share, but terms have not been disclosed.
