RSL gets a point despite shutout

Make no mistake about it, Real Salt Lake expected much more out of Saturday's game with the Columbus Crew than a scoreless draw.

They were hoping for at least one goal and possibly two, not to mention the opportunity to avenge last week's stoppage time disaster against FC Dallas. It didn't quite pan out that way, but the mood following Saturday's 0-0 draw at Rice-Eccles Stadium was much more upbeat than following the season opener the week before.

"The bottom line this season is get points in every game, so it's a good thing," said Real coach John Ellinger. "Today it was more important to come away with no mistakes at the back and get a shutout and build on that."

It's an optimistic spin on an otherwise disappointing outcome, but if nothing else, for the first time in franchise history RSL (0-0-2) is still undefeated two weeks into a season.

Tactically, it was an extremely hard-earned point.

"It's difficult to play Columbus. They're tactically very organized and they made it tough on us," said Real midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy. "As soon as we got the ball they dropped four back and then when they subbed they had five in the midfield."

Even though it might've been a dull game for most, it was a soccer tactician's dream.

The visiting Crew did a much better job possessing and spreading the ball around the field in the first half and not surprisingly created the bulk of the scoring chances as a result outshooting RSL 8-4. In the second half, Real countered the Crew by pushing its outside backs higher into the attack and having its wide midfielders pinch toward the middle, and it paid off as RSL outshot Columbus 12-4.

"I'm always disappointed when we don't get maximum usage of the points at home, but there's nothing to be angry about — our effort was good," said Ellinger.

RSL played to one scoreless draw last year, at home against New England, and like that game there were no shortage of scoring chances and opportunities against Columbus in front of 16,157 fans Saturday.

Just six minutes into the match, Columbus nearly snagged the early lead when a Marcos Gonzalez header on a corner kick was cleared off the line by Ballouchy.

Eight minutes later, the Crew narrowly missed again when second-year forward Jason Garey dribbled the ball around Real keeper Nick Rimando only to have his shot at the open net blocked by the hard-charging Eddie Pope.

Both chances were the part of Columbus' superior play in the midfield, not to mention an all-around lethargic first-half effort by Real.