Kreis has kept trying

In a season in which he's silenced his doubters, scored his 100th career goal and proven that there is still life as a Major League Soccer forward after 30, you'd think Jason Kreis would be a happy man these days.

He's long past soaking up individual joys at the expense of the team, however.

"It's hard for me to say I've had a successful year when the team has been so unsuccessful," said the Real Salt Lake forward, whose season is over since he injured his knee last week. Kreis was placed Wednesday on the season-ending injury reserve list because of a partial tear in his left knee's anterior cruciate ligament.

Even though RSL only won once last month, it's hard to cast any of the blame the veteran's way.

In a win over Chivas USA on Aug. 6, Kreis scored the game-winning penalty kick in the 74th minute to help the expansion MLS team win its second straight game.

Four nights later, he scored RSL's only goal in a 4-1 loss at New England, but his 31st-minute tally was much more meaningful than the final score would indicate. After Salt Lake surrendered two goals in the opening 16 minutes, Kreis scored on a brilliant free kick to cut the deficit to 2-1, giving his squad plenty of life until it gave up two more goals in the final 15 minutes.

Three nights later, Kreis tallied his 100th career MLS goal — a scintillating left-footed volley that is definitely in the running for MLS goal of the year. Even though RSL went on to lose that game 4-2 to Kansas City, his strike cut the Wizards' lead to 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining.

From a personal standpoint, August was a good month for Kreis. Just don't expect the Deseret Morning News Athlete of the Month for August to be too overjoyed about the accolades.

"The strange thing is, at this stage of my career, it's so hard for me to separate individual from team," said Kreis. "So much of my focus is on the team. Maybe it's because I wear the (captain's) arm band every week. Maybe it's because I'm maturing as a person. I'm not really sure what it is."

At a time when the club desperately needs wins in hopes of making the playoffs, RSL is in the midst of a five-game losing streak. The team has only scored four times in those five games, with Kreis accounting for two of them.

One Kreis teammate believes Salt Lake's misfortunes might be different if players mimicked the work ethic of Kreis.

"It's more than just the game, it's the little things," said Real defender Brian Dunseth. "Being the leader of this team both on and off the field. Being the first one out to practice and one of the last guys off the field. It's the mentality, the work ethic, work rate and professionalism. I think it all shows."

And it's been on display since Day 1.