Early in the second half, RSL was a much more dangerous attacking team. In the 47th minute, Kreis let loose a low shot in traffic that a diving Joe Cannon smothered with his outstretch right hand.

In the 58th minute, Kreis created another excellent scoring opportunity, this time by flicking a header in the box in the direction of the red-hot Cunningham. He unspooled a first-time shot about 15-yards from goal that Cannon somehow managed to save with his left hand. The rebound nearly rolled over the goal line as well, but Cannon smothered it a few inches short.

Cannon didn't seem to display any of the rust you'd expect from a keeper who'd missed the previous four games.

Even though RSL was probably unlucky not to put one of those two chances away, no one was making excuses — offensively or defensively.

"Joe makes two good saves, but that's what he does," said Klein. "But two opportunities against him is not enough. We didn't create enough of those."

Defender Nelson Akwari wasn't the least bit satisfied with holding Colorado to just one goal either.

"To be honest, we've only got one shutout in the past six games," said Akwari. "There's got to be a point in time where our defense says 'All right, no matter what we're going to get a shutout.' We can't keep giving up goals every game and hoping we get bailed out in the last 25 minutes of a game."

During RSL's four-game unbeaten streak, eight of the team's 10 goals were scored after the 68th minute.

Even up until the final whistle, Ellinger said he believed his team was destined for an equalizer.

The loss kept RSL (3-6-2) in fifth place in the West with 11 points, while Colorado (5-4-2) moved into a second-place tie with Houston on 17 points. Real began the week in fourth place, but Chivas USA passed it with a Thursday victory over the Galaxy.

RSL continues its road trip with a game at Houston next Saturday.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com