Real Salt Lake's Roller Coaster Season Continues with Loss to Columbus Crew

With three of their best players on the sideline in street clothes Saturday night, Real Salt Lake came out flat and played to a frustrating and embarrassing 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew.

Missing the match for RSL were the injured Javier Morales, suspended Alvaro Saborio and last year's Major League Soccer Defender of the Year Jamison Olave who was injured in the recent MLS All-Star Game.

The Columbus Crew wasted no time in getting the lead in a stadium they had not previously won in.

In the fifth minute, midfielder Eddie Gaven found himself wide open running toward the back post where he received a cross from teammate Robbie Rogers and easily knocked the ball past a diving Nick Rimando.

Just a few minutes later, a stunned Real Salt Lake team gave up the second goal of the game on a snap down header from Tommy Heinemann. The assist on his goal came once again from Rogers who sent in another great cross.

The Crew, who seemed content to hang back and protect the lead were able to frustrate the Real Salt Lake offense and come away with the shutout victory.

RSL did have multiple good opportunities, but had difficulty finishing. Saborio's replacement in the starting lineup Jean Alexandre, Fabian Espindola and Kyle Beckerman each had chances that were denied by a tough Crew defense.

Following the match, head coach Jason Kreis talked about the quick start and the match by saying,

"I think we were frantic and certainly a bit frustrated. I'm pleased with the effort and with the fight, and I don't think anybody out there quit. They put everything they could to try to get back into it. We just came up a bit short in the quality department tonight."

The team did work hard during the game and did not give up. The emotional play of forward Fabian Espindola was a bright spot for RSL. He seemed to be in the middle of every play, and worked tirelessly only to come up short.

Real Salt Lake now sits in fifth place with 33 points in the Western Conference. They will travel to meet Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night.

While Saborio will return, they will still be without Jamison Olave who is expected to miss two to four weeks with his injury.