Midfielder Carey Talley, who's been limited in training because of an offseason knee operation, should be close to 100 percent as well by then.

The entire team could be joined by "one or two more big international signings," according to Kreis.

Either way, among the many objectives this preseason, one is clearly to be fit enough on opening day so as not to squander a victory in stoppage time.

"It's going to be a long grueling preseason," said Williams. "I know Jason's going to work us to death. One thing he wants is for us to be the fittest team in the league, and we're one step closer to that."

ENDLINES: Kyle Beckerman is prepared to join Real Salt Lake sooner than expected. The midfielder has been training with the U.S. National Team the past weeks, but he suffered a bruised left foot this past weekend and has been sent home. He is listed as day-to-day and will join RSL in California ... Rookie David Horst left practice early after tweaking his right knee early in Monday's training session.

---

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com