RSL, Rapids play to a draw

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — After some dormant moments earlier this year, Real Salt Lake proved Thursday that its attack is once again dangerous.

Sure the club's finishing wasn't up to snuff as it squandered an opportunity to secure its first win of the season, but RSL had Colorado on its heels for long stretches and walking out of Dick's Sporting Goods Park with a 1-1 draw is hardly a bad thing.

"I think we're all eager and anxious for our first three points, but we have to temper that a little bit, and realize we are taking steps in the right direction, and it will come," said Real coach Jason Kreis.

It hasn't come yet as RSL has four draws in six games this season, but if Thursday's performance is any indication, Kreis' bunch is close to turning the corner and snatching that first victory.

"That's the best we've played all year long from an attacking standpoint," said midfielder Freddy Adu, who enjoyed his best game in a Real uniform.

In reality, with all the bizarre occurrences, including the two own goals, both teams were lucky not to win — and lose.

As happy as Kreis was about his team's response after surrendering an own goal in the fourth minute, he knows his team dodged several major bullets. Colorado's Herculez Gomez missed a golden scoring opportunity in the 47th minute after RSL defender Daniel Torres stumbled in the box, and Gomez again failed to capitalize when Eddie Pope slipped 40 yards from goal freeing him up for a darting run into the box that he wasted.

"I get pretty nervous, just because it seems odd mistakes are happening," said Kreis.

As disconcerting as the mistakes are, Kreis believes the quick way in which his players recover is a positive.

That was never more evident than in the opening quarter hour, in which RSL surrendered an own goal but pulled even by the 15th minute on an own goal of its own.

"Again, my boys have come out and had a disappointing first goal scored on them, and again they reacted extremely well, so I'm quite pleased with that," said Kreis.

Last weekend, Real fell behind in the opening 15 minutes against New York but battled back and earned the draw in scintillating fashion.

RSL's freakish own goal came in the fourth minute when Gomez whipped a cross into the box from the right side that RSL keeper Nick Rimando did well to come off his line and get a piece of. The problem was his deflection ricocheted off Jack Stewart and bounced into the open net.