RSL looks for own fireworks

Roughly 25,000 fans are expected inside Rice-Eccles Stadium tonight at 7:30 p.m. when Real Salt Lake hosts the MetroStars on the Fourth of July.

Real will be commemorating America's Independence Day with a fireworks extravaganza after the game, and as far as RSL's offensive attack goes, they're hoping to actually provide some of their own pyrotechnics long before the postgame festivities begin

Salt Lake's match tonight marks the 16th game of its inaugural season--halfway through the MLS regular-season schedule--and the team is still trying to get on track offensively.

"We're still in the hunt," said RSL's Clint Mathis, who will be playing the MetroStars, his former team, for the second time this season.

Real Salt Lake's scoring troubles have been well chronicled during its inaugural season. To date, Salt Lake has mustered just 10 goals in 15 games. They haven't scored more than two goals in an MLS game yet, and they recently became the holders of an MLS record for the longest scoring drought ever at 557 minutes.

On the heels of such statistics, coach John Ellinger noted that he doesn't expect Real to suddenly start cranking out four-or-five goals a game. But he added that RSL's futility doesn't mean they aren't capable of finally putting together 90 minutes of solid, attacking soccer, either.

"Maybe (today is the day)," said Ellinger.

"Once we can get some confidence scoring, it could be a real turning point. . . We keep waiting for that."

Ellinger has also been waiting for Mathis to finally open his scoring account for Salt Lake. The 25-year-old, who had four productive seasons with the MetroStars before playing in Germany, hasn't scored in 14 starts for RSL.

Mathis is the only player in MLS history to score five goals in one game, something he accomplished in a MetroStars uniform back in 2000. Five years later, his current coach just wants to see Mathis' scoreless streak end.

"I'd take one (goal from Mathis)," said Ellinger.

It remains uncertain exactly where Mathis will play on the field. Likely, he'll partner with Jamie Watson up top, though Ellinger said that could change depending on Jason Kreis' health.

Ellinger didn't say exactly what Kreis' condition is, but he's been taking anti-biodics recently to combat an illness. RSL's coach said he expects Kreis to start anyway, but he might shift his lineup if the veteran goal-scorer doesn't feel better tonight.