SALT LAKE CITY - In each of their last five games, Real Salt Lake have given up the first goal of the game. Three times during that stretch, Real have allowed a goal in the first 10 minutes. It is a trend Real would like to put a stop to, and one they need to end as the playoffs march ever closer.
"We can't continue to put ourselves in that situation, where we are chasing the game so early," midfielder Chris Klein said. "Especially at home, we want to put the other team under pressure. That doesn't mean we have to score early, but we would like to score first."
Real will continue their late-season fight for the playoffs when they play host to Houston Dynamo on Saturday. To be sure, scoring the first goal is a priority for the team.
"To have to overcome the deficits we've put ourselves in just makes the games that much more difficult," Klein said. Real went 1-2-2 in September, giving up the first goal of the game in each case. "We've done well with it, but we can't continue to do it."
Real have played must-win games every week since midseason, but none have been as important as Saturday's match. With only two games left in the regular season, Real sit in fifth place in the Western Conference, two points behind Colorado and five points behind Chivas USA.
"There are a lot of scenarios, but obviously none of them really put us into any kind of position to get into the playoffs if we don't win the game," coach John Ellinger said.
Even if Real earn all six points available, they still could miss the postseason. Making the playoffs, Ellinger said, would make the season a successful one.
"In our eyes, our pressure on ourselves is that we are not successful unless we get in," he said. "We could shut some people up; that's the best thing I can say about it."
Ellinger expects a tough challenge against Dynamo. Houston has clinched a spot in the playoffs, but Ellinger still expects Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear to start his best players.
"Kinnear is the type of guy that, if the 11 players on the field are playing well, he doesn't make subs just to make subs, so I don't see him resting players just to rest players," Ellinger said. "I don't expect any less of a team, other than Robinson, who is out with a card. And that doesn't break my heart."
Klein said RSL will have to play a complete game in order to pull out a victory.
"Houston's the type of team that they are not real flashy, but they will break you down, just like they break every other team down," Klein said. "They don't have any secrets. They play through Brian Ching, and they do that through (Dwayne) De Rosario. They are a very tough team, but like I've always said, when we are rolling, not many teams can play with us."
Peter Richins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
