RSL goalkeeper battle brewing?

Saturday's 4-0 drubbing in Southern California Saturday wasn't the first time a Real Salt Lake keeper ended up looking foolish on the Home Depot Center pitch.

When Nick Rimando got caught in no-man's land within 30 seconds of the opening whistle, it was a moment reminiscent of a pair of Scott Garlick gaffes last summer.

At the time, some wondered if Garlick needed a benching to recharge his batteries. RSL's coaching staff thought about handing the reins to back-up Jay Nolly, but opted instead to stick with the veteran to see how he'd respond. It paid off as Garlick helped Real rip off five victories in seven games as the team clawed back into the thick of the playoff race.

That same coaching staff now faces a similar dilemma with Rimando, who's allowed two bad goals in three games, and all in all hasn't looked comfortable in his new surroundings.

Rookie Chris Seitz, meanwhile, looked very comfortable in his debut in last Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup qualifier against Kansas City.

He made good decisions, showed surprising maturity for his age, but more importantly demonstrated with his athleticism why he's regarded as the next great U.S. National Team keeper.

RSL might have a goalkeeper controversy on its hands.

"It's something where we'll look at it," said RSL coach John Ellinger, who said reviewing the game film would help with the decision. "If that's the issue then we'll make a change there, if it isn't, we won't make a change."

It's not as black and white as it might seem, even though another Rimando mistake might make it so.

In June, Seitz will be leaving Real for about a month to represent the United States in the Under-20 World Cup, which poses a predicament for his club team.

"You hate the thought if he were to win that position, and boom, he's gone for three or four games, it's that lack of continuity," said Ellinger. "But if that's what we need to do, that's what we need to do."

If Rimando doesn't rediscover the confidence that made him an all-star caliber keeper soon, a switch might be necessary.

RSL captain Jason Kreis knows it's a delicate subject.

"As players, that's best left up to the coaching staff. We all like Nick Rimando a lot and we have a lot of faith in him," said Kreis. "We think he's a fantastic addition to our team, but all of us go through difficult times, and it appears he's going through a difficult time."