Moreno creeping up on Kreis' record

Something is creeping slowly and surely up the record books. No, it is not Real making a run up the standings. It is D.C. United's Jaime Moreno closing in on Jason Kreis' record for all-time goals scored in Major League Soccer.

With Moreno's 36th minute goal, he now has 104 career goals, just two behind Kreis' 106. Should both Kreis and Moreno continue scoring on their current paces, it could be within the next few weeks that Moreno eclipses Kreis' mark. Moreno now has 10 goals on the year while Kreis has six.

With the pair being so close in goals and statistics, the comparisons are inevitable. Moreno has scored his goals in fewer games. He has played in 237 compared to Kreis and his 289. Moreno has benefited more often on what has been considered his specialty since coming into the league — penalty kicks. The all-time leader in penalty kick goals has 29 compared to 10 for Kreis.

Kreis is the leader in game-winning goals at 30 while Moreno has 22 game-winner's. Along those same lines, Moreno has 21 game-winning assists compared to Kreis with 20.

One look at the MLS all-time stat sheet one cannot help notice the two names dotted along nearly every offensive category. Assists? Moreno 78, Kreis 74. Shots on goal? Kreis 357, Moreno 326.

BAD INFORMATION: Real Salt Lake forward Atiba Harris put his team in a very difficult spot Saturday.

Leading up to the match he insisted his right hamstring was fine, and Ellinger trusted him by inserting him into the match Saturday for Jason Kreis in the 63rd minute. Within minutes, it was obvious he wasn't fine.

"Once he got out there it didn't take us long to see he couldn't sprint, he was dragging his leg," said Ellinger. "Sometimes you don't get the right information from the players at times. We'll deal with that one ourselves."

Real was forced to replace Harris with another substitute, Joey Worthen, in the 84th minute.

Maybe Harris was anxious to avenge himself for Wednesday's poor performance in stoppage time against Chivas. Maybe he was eager to get some revenge at D.C. United for the preseason incident in which D.C. United coach was accused of making inappropriate remarks toward Harris.

Either way, it was irresponsible to insist he was healthy.

MAKING AN IMPACT: Worthen, a graduate of Cottonwood High School, is taking advantage of his opportunities.

Against Chivas on Wednesday, he made his debut as an 80th minute substitute and played well despite Real surrendering its late lead. He entered the game in the 84th minute against D.C. United on Saturday, and his energy and quality play helped create the build-up that led to the penalty kicks.

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E-mail: mblack@desnews.com