Real S.L. is seeking better weather in L.A.

CARSON, Calif. — A week after Real Salt Lake's historic first game, an inauspicious opener dominated by Mother Nature's rash sense of humor, the players can't help but think they get a mulligan in Los Angeles tonight.

Gusty winds and torrential rain showers are not in the forecast for the 8 p.m. (MST) kickoff at the Home Depot Center against the Los Angeles Galaxy, a game broadcast locally by KSL-TV.

"For the fans watching last week, it's not a real indicator of how we can play," said RSL forward Chris Brown about the team's 0-0 tie against the MetroStars. "I think we still want to go out and show what we can do and put some offense together."

Salt Lake doesn't just want to exhibit a better offense, but a more consistent one as well. Any form of cohesive soccer was impossible last week with the tricks the New Jersey wind was playing on the ball. Despite all that, RSL was able to escape with a draw and earned a point in the standings.

"It was a tough game to play the way we like to play, which is a little more possession, and spread the ball out," said midfielder Brian Kamler.

With favorable weather, in addition to a pair veteran forwards in Clint Mathis and Jason Kreis, an experienced navigator in attacking midfielder Andy Williams, and then two dangerous wide midfielders in Marlon Rojas and Dipsy Selolwane, Salt Lake has plenty of talent to dictate the pace of Saturday's game for long stretches.

Is tonight the night of RSL's historic first goal? If so, will it come off the foot or head of one of these five attack-oriented players, or perhaps a defender like Rusty Pierce or Matt Behncke sneaking into the attack at an opportune moment?

"Our focus is still possession and ball movement," said RSL coach John Ellinger. "Sometimes in a game, opponents can change that plan. It all depends on what kind of pressure they're putting you under, but I think we have enough talent to deal with the pressure they'll put on us."

Realistically, Ellinger expects L.A.'s pressure to be intense.

With new Galaxy golden child Landon Donovan unavailable in last week's opener because of flu-like symptoms, Los Angeles put up little fight against Columbus in dropping an embarrassing opener 3-0 in miserable cold and wet conditions as well.

In front of an anticipated sellout crowd at the Home Depot Center tonight, nobody expects the Galaxy to lay a similar egg against Salt Lake.