There's no way of knowing if Real Salt Lake would be in the position it is today without the contribution of its trio of midseason additions, but it's highly unlikely.

In fact, the club might've missed the playoffs entirely without the arrival of Robbie Russell, Clint Mathis and Will Johnson this summer. Instead, the team is preparing for the Western Conference finals in a season few people thought the team would even make the playoffs, including coach Jason Kreis himself.

"I really didn't think we'd be able to make the playoffs. I knew we had a lot of good players, and I knew we could coach them into a team that could compete and win our share of games, but we'd never be consistent enough to probably make the playoffs this season," Kreis said. "I thought that was definitely a next season thing."

Those expectations, however, changed when Russell, Mathis and Johnson were signed during the FIFA summer transfer window.

They were an immediate upgrade in both talent and experience, but their initial impact on the field was spotty at best as the team struggled upon their arrival with three straight losses. It took time for everyone, both new and old, to adapt to one another's playing styles, but they all seemed to figure things out about two months ago.

In beating Chivas USA on aggregate 3-2 in the two-game first-round playoff series, RSL increased its unbeaten streak to 3-0-5 over the past eight games. That stretch includes three straight ties on the road, an impossibility for the club earlier this season.

"All three of those guys have been huge contributors and very, very important to our success," Kreis said.

Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers, an offseason acquisition in his own right, can't emphasize enough the importance of his new teammates.

"We can't say whether or not we'd be here without them, but they've been huge for us. They're just three guys I really enjoy playing with," Borchers said. "They're unselfish with the ball, they work really hard, they have the mentality that Jason (Kreis) and Dave Checketts would like to see. It's a pleasure to play with those guys."

Johnson has been a permanent fixture in the lineup since his arrival starting every game and playing every minute.

Mathis and Russell have bounced in and out of the starting line-up, proof of the increased overall depth on Real Salt Lake's roster. That was never more evident than Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in California.

Regular starting left back Ian Joy woke up Saturday morning with a swollen groin and knew right away he wouldn't be playing in the second leg against Chivas. Russell stepped right in and was superb.