RSL's Kreis counts '06 among his best years

Jason Kreis' improbable game-winning goal Saturday night was a very emotional moment for Major League Soccer's all-time leading scorer.

Not only did it halt an 855-minute scoring drought, but it occurred against his old team in a virtual must-win situation for Real Salt Lake. It also reiterated that there's plenty of hop left in those 33-year-old legs.

By his own admission, Kreis hasn't scored as many goals as he would've liked this year, even though seven is a very respectable number. To some, the drop-off in goal production would seem to indicate that retirement is creeping up on Kreis

That's just crazy talk.

"To be completely honest, this may have been or is one of my best soccer years I've ever had," said Kreis. "It's hard to make people believe that unless they know what they're really watching, but I'm really proud of what I've put in this year."

Even better than his MVP season with the Dallas Burn in 1999, when he racked up 18 goals and 15 assists? Kreis believes so because of the overall impact he's had on the team, and his teammates understand where he's coming from.

"He's been great for us," said RSL midfielder Carey Talley. "A lot of people maybe haven't given the credit that's due to him just because he isn't scoring goals, but he's done so much in other areas that has helped us."

Essentially, Real's captain has demonstrated a willingness to do whatever was necessary to help the team. Whether it was taking a backseat to Jeff Cunningham up top, starting the game in the midfield, or merely dropping into the midfield during the course of the game if the situation dictated, Kreis has done so for the good of the team.

"There's been a lot of situations where Jason's had to tuck back in and play more of a defensive role instead of being the forward up high with Jeff," said Talley. "That's a huge contribution to make considering your main (objective) is scoring goals for the team."

Talley, the team's holding midfielder, said there's been plenty of situations where Kreis has been playing deeper than him in the midfield than him. No wonder Kreis' production is a little down.

It's that prowess in the midfield that will likely prolong his career a couple more years.

"I'm not doing it yet, but down the road, (Jason) started his career at midfield and I think he'll end his career in the midfield," said RSL coach John Ellinger.