RSL players say fatigue shouldn't be a problem

Real Salt Lake faces a difficult task tonight.

Fresh off its overtime victory at home Wednesday, in which many key players logged 120 minutes in the 2-1 win over Kansas City, RSL makes a visit to the Home Depot Center to take on a well-rested Chivas USA side.

"It's going to be a difficult game for us," said Real captain Jason Kreis, who along with Nick Rimando were the only two RSL regulars who didn't play Wednesday to rest for tonight's game.

While Kreis and Rimando relaxed, teammates Willis Forko, Daniel Torres, Jack Stewart, Carey Talley, Freddy Adu and Jeff Cunningham all played 120 minutes. Three other players, Eddie Pope (62 minutes), Chris Klein (68 minutes) and Mehdi Ballouchy (85 minutes) also saw significant action before being replaced.

The players insist, however, that playing their third game in eight days shouldn't be a problem. Sure, they must manage their fitness a bit more wisely tonight, but it's nothing they haven't experienced in the past in MLS.

"It's not a big deal, this early in the season," said Chris Klein. "I think when you put three games in eight days, and you put that week after week after week like we did last year, that's when it starts to wear on you a little bit. We put so much work in the preseason, three games in eight days isn't going to bother us."

Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. (MDT), with the game being tape-delayed on FSN at 9:30 p.m.

While RSL enters the game with an unbeaten mark of 0-0-2, not including Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup qualifying win over Kansas City, Chivas enters the match with a 1-1-0 mark, dropping a 1-0 decision at Houston last weekend.

Even though RSL believes it matches up well with Chivas, at the same time it knows Chivas' midfield is a concern.

"They tend to crowd things in the middle of the field and let those outside backs go," said midfielder Carey Talley. "It's going to be a tough job for the three (Ballouchy, Kreis, Talley) of us to match up with their three, sometimes four in the midfield."

Talley said it's important that wide midfielders like Adu and Klein pinch into the middle of the field to create even numbers in the midfield. Otherwise, possession-oriented Chivas may dominate from the opening whistle.

Chivas has a history of success against its former expansion brethren at the Home Depot Center. In four visits to California to face Chivas, Real has an 0-3-1 record with a goal differential of minus-8. It's only positive result was a 1-1 draw in the regular-season finale last year.

Prior to that, RSL lost by scores of 1-0, 5-1 and 3-0.

With inevitably tired legs trudging around the field, Kreis said it's critical Real stay organized to thwart Chivas USA's preferred method of attack with possession through the middle of the field.

Despite the extended game Wednesday, RSL coach John Ellinger just doesn't see how fatigue could be a problem in a rivalry game.

"It's Chivas. It's not quite Colorado, but it's pretty close," said Ellinger.

RSL on the air

Real Salt Lake (0-0-2) at Chivas USA (1-1-0)

Today, 8:30 p.m. (MDT)

Home Depot Center

TV: FSN, 9:30 p.m. tape delay

Radio: 700AM

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com