RSL: Outside looking in

Trent Bates/UVU Review

It seems that there are two inevitabilities when Real Salt Lake plays at Rio Tinto Stadium. The south end of the stadium relentlessly bangs drums, screams, and makes it difficult for the opponent and RSL can not capitalize on the opportunities that they have.

Just when things seemed to look better than ever, RSL once again is on the outside looking in and after a two-week layoff, RSL came out with a 1-1 tie against the Chicago Fire at Rio Tinto Stadium, Sept. 12.

“I think in the end was a fair result,” said head coach Jason Kries. “Before the game we were very focused and wanting the three points, and I still feel the same way. I’m disappointed with one point because I know at home we should win, and the opportunities were there.”

Chicago would strike first late in the first half when Marco Pappa softly centered the ball, Chris Rolfe then trapped the ball with his chest and before it hit the ground Rolfe chipped the ball just out of reach of RSL’s keeper Nick Rimando.

RSL would then knot it up in the 72nd minute when midfielder Andy Williams kicked the ball from the half line up to defender Jamison Olave. Olave then escaped from three Fire defenders. Once he had the ball there was no denying him and he got it just inside the right post.

With the tie, RSL is 9-9-7 and have 34 points which puts them ninth in the overall standings and outside of the playoff picture.

“We need three more wins, and I think we’ll get that in our last five games,” said forward Yura Movsisyan. “We’ve got to get a win away and take care of our business at home. We don’t have any easy games left, but nobody has any easy games left at this time in the year.”

Real Salt Lake will look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they head to Texas to take on FC Dallas.