Ellinger looks to team for answers

CARSON, Calif. — Real Salt Lake's John Ellinger can tolerate nerves as an excuse for poor play. But simply coming out flat? Absolutely not.

"I don't understand how you can play flat," Ellinger said. "Maybe I'm naive, but you've prepared all week for a game, playing in a great stadium. Great team; 27,000 (fans). How are you flat? It's unacceptable to me for a team to say they're flat."

That lethargic play was just one of several factors leading up to RSL's 3-1 loss to the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday.

Andy Williams' ninth-minute injury played a role, as did Landon Donovan's ability to expose the left side of Salt Lake's defense. Realistically, however, Ellinger isn't too concerned about those defensive liabilities.

"It's only the second game of the season, so it doesn't make sense to push a panic button," he said. "They played well, we didn't play so well, so you address that and move on."

Unfortunately for Salt Lake, Williams' injury won't be as easy to overcome. The midfielder is scheduled to have an MRI on his left groin today, which could realistically sideline him anywhere from two weeks to two months.

His absence could change the whole complexion of the team.

Even though Leighton O'Brien did well filling in for Williams, Ellinger acknowledges that his best option for this Saturday's home opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium is probably to drop Clint Mathis back into Williams' attacking-midfield spot. That would enable Dipsy Selolwane to slide up top alongside Jason Kreis and play his natural forward position.

Selolwane played a "good game," according to Ellinger, at right midfield, but the Galaxy exposed his inability to consistently hold the ball under pressure, leading to several giveaways in the midfield.

"Dipsy is learning a new position," Ellinger said. "We're in a little patchwork trying to make it work, and (teams) try and expose that."

That problem might naturally fix itself this week if Evan Whitfield is healthy enough to play. He's been nursing an ankle injury for nearly a month, but he's expected to begin training this week.

"Not having Evan has been one of the things that's hurt us," Ellinger said. "He's a wide player. That's what he does."

Chris Brown's versatility makes him an option as well up top or out wide. He was a 76th-minute sub for Selolwane on Saturday, and late in the game uncorked a powerful shot that forced Galaxy keeper Kevin Hartman to make an outstanding save.

At the end of the day, it's only one loss, and don't be surprised if Donovan makes a lot of MLS defenses look bad this year.

"We can be better," Ellinger said. "We've got to dig a little deeper, and whatever buttons I have to push and our teammates have to push, we'll find them. I'm not worried about it."

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com