Real debut ends in draw

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In the 82nd minute of Real Salt Lake's inaugural game, Clint Mathis lined up for a free kick near midfield. Just prior to running toward the ball, the wind started blowing the ball away.

That about summed up what was supposed to be a historic day for the MLS expansion franchise. Wind gusts approaching 50 mph played tricks with the ball all game as RSL battled the MetroStars to a 0-0 tie Saturday.

"Those kinds of conditions, sometimes you had to laugh at the way the ball would spin and move away from the players," said RSL coach John Ellinger. "We came in with the purpose of trying to win, but we'll definitely take a point right now."

The wind was so strong, Clint Mathis said he felt like he was running in place at times. Jason Kreis said it was like pinball on the field. The wind was so strong at times, players had to hold the ball in place for teammates for free kicks and goal kicks.

"It was one of those nights when strange things happen," RSL keeper D.J. Countess said. "There's going to be fluke plays. There's going to be things that happen that don't normally happen."

Fortunately for Salt Lake, when those things did happen, he was up to the challenge.

The game's craziest sequence occurred in the 18th minute on a harmless goal kick by Zach Wells — which was held in place by a defender. With a steady wind gust behind him, Wells unleashed a mammoth kick that bounced once and then sailed over the head of every Salt Lake defender. The MetroStars' Sergio Galvan Rey slipped in behind that defense, chased the ball down, and had a glorious one-on-one situation with Countess.

Rey tried blasting it past the charging Countess, who turned the poorly struck shot away easily.

"D.J. was awesome. He stepped up," said Ellinger. "That's why we picked him. If he plays like that all season, we'll all be happy."

That one save helped RSL preserve a first-half shutout — not bad, considering the MetroStars had the luxury of gusting winds at their back for the opening 45 minutes.

Having endured the two-on-one advantage the wind provided the MetroStars, Salt Lake was extremely confident about stealing the road victory with a goal in the second half.

It nearly happened just 12 seconds into the half when RSL right midfielder Dipsy Selolwane uncorked a wicked shot near the top of the box, but Wells was able to push it wide. Two minutes later, Kreis pushed another excellent scoring chance wide.