RSL assembles group of solid defenders

It's no secret that Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger is an attack-oriented guy, but don't think for a minute it comes at the expense of his defense. Just look at the collection of defenders the expansion MLS franchise has acquired.

Smack dab in the middle of RSL's defense is Eddie Pope, a U.S. National Team defender and MLS veteran who is arguably the best defender in the history of the country.

Ellinger couldn't have picked a better player to build his defense around.

"He's a settling influence on the team," said Ellinger. "There definitely is no panic button on his body. Having that composure is hopefully the one asset we need to turn us into a top-rated defense."

The U.S. National Team could've used that composure in Sunday's World Cup qualifying loss to Mexico, but Pope was unavailable because of a hip-flexor injury.

Real Salt Lake could've also used Pope's calming influence last Thursday. In its final preseason game of the season against Kansas City in Tulsa, Okla., RSL gave up four goals during a 30-minute span in the second half. Pope was rendered helpless after being subbed out at the half as a precautionary measure with his hip.

In hindsight, the team believes the 4-1 loss was a good thing.

"At the end of the day, I'd rather lose that game 4-1 than lose this weekend 4-1," said Brian Dunseth, a central defense who was on the field during the defensive collapse. "Not that it takes anything off the performance at all, but I think it was a good learning experience for us . . . ."

The timing was perfect.

After a sketchy defensive performance against D.C. United in its first preseason in February, RSL's defense gradually became a strength the remainder of training camp. Perhaps the players were starting to feel a little overconfident entering the Kansas City game.

"It was a good wake-up call," said Dunseth. "It was the perfect motivation . . . to have a strong week of practice leading up to the first game."

That first game is this Saturday at the MetroStars in New York, and Ellinger expects his experienced defensive core to have a good game.

Joining Pope as projected backline starters are Matt Behncke out left, Nelson Akwari centrally and Rusty Pierce out right. Dunseth might replace Akwari in the starting lineup, but that likely will be a game-day decision based on the status of Dunseth's knee.