Skid? RSL's Ellinger has glass-half-full attitude

It's been a very long time since Real Salt Lake won a soccer match — 14 games to be exact. In fact, the team hasn't won since a 2-0 victory over Chivas USA on Aug. 6 of last year.

As far as coach John Ellinger is concerned, the length of that streak is irrelevant. There are 14 new faces on this year's team, therefore the only streak that of consequence is this year's two-game losing streak.

"The way I look at it, the club's got a 14-game winless streak, I've got a 14-game winless streak, but this is a new team, and I'm trying to stay positive with that," said Ellinger.

Regardless of how the streak is defined, RSL (0-2-0) will try and put a stop to it tonight when it hosts the New York Red Bulls (0-0-2) at 7 in the club's home opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"We knew it was going to be tough going on the road our first two games, but we need a result, and there's no better place to do it than here," said Salt Lake newcomer Chris Klein.

Ironically, despite all the team's struggles last year, New York was actually a team RSL had success against, earning draws in both matches. If Ellinger's club hopes for a similar result or perhaps even a victory, it absolutely needs to be sharp on set pieces.

Between Amado Guevara and Youri Djorkaeff, the Red Bulls have a pair of excellent free-kick takers, particularly Djorkaeff, who scored on a wicked free kick in the season-opener at D.C. United. To combat New York's strength, RSL can't afford to surrender many free kicks within 30 yards of the goal.

"A lot of times, restarts can break your back defensively," said Klein.

Offensively, RSL must capitalize on its own restarts, especially corner kicks. Despite enjoying a 9-1 advantage on corners, Real failed to convert any of them and ultimately lost at FC Dallas last week 2-1.

Despite the loss, Salt Lake played much better than during its season-opening 3-0 loss at Chivas. To help build on that energy and chemistry, Ellinger is planning on starting the same 11 against New York that he did against Dallas. He's counting on improved play in two specific areas.

"(We need) to continue to eliminate our mistakes, turnovers from our outside backs and our center midfield," said Ellinger. "We're just asking them to work harder and support both sides of the ball."

When the opportunity presents itself as well, RSL must be more dangerous on corner kicks.