New coach adjusting mentality, play style

In a perfect world, the tactics Jason Kreis has focused on since taking over as Real Salt Lake's head coach would have all been addressed months ago in the preseason.

He didn't have that luxury, though, since he was just a player in the preseason.

So one by one, almost as if he's crossing objectives off a master list, Kreis is getting RSL to play his way.

Some ideas he's been very public about, like mentality and accountability.

Judging by RSL's effort the past two matches, in both of which it rallied for a draw after surrendering an early goal, the mentality adjustment is going quite smoothly.

As for holding players accountable, Kreis took a bold stance on that matter by handing major offseason acquisition Luis Tejada his walking papers less than a week after taking over because he didn't seem to take fitness seriously.

That's what we do know.

It's what Kreis isn't telling us that might help Real Salt Lake turn its season.

Pressed earlier this week to divulge some of the specifics he was working on in training to improve upon the methods of former coach John Ellinger, Kreis declined to comment.

Conversely, following Thursday's match with Colorado Kreis didn't hesitate revealing the specific tactics RSL worked on throughout the week.

"I set out an objective for them last week and we worked on it in training, and it happened for us tonight," said Kreis following RSL's 1-1 draw with the Rapids. "We were switching the ball to Freddy (Adu) and getting him in good spots where he needs to be, running at players.

"I think we saw from Freddy tonight he can do well in those spots," Kreis added.

It was realistically the perfect scenario for Adu to thrive at left midfield, which he did admirably.

Knowing that Rapids midfielder Terry Cooke is offensive minded and not very fond of tracking back defensively, RSL figured if it could get the ball out wide quickly to Adu he'd have numerous one-on-one opportunities on the wing against Colorado's right back.

That space increased threefold because of the enormous width of Dick's Sporting Goods Park in addition to Colorado left back Dan Gargan's insistence on pinching in tightly to deal with the speed of Real forwards Jeff Cunningham and Atiba Harris.

That left Adu with what seemed like acres of space to work his magic.

"Jeff and Atiba were making incredible runs, and Gargan had no choice but to go with them," said Adu.

With so many opportunities, Adu knows he should've been better even though his shot led to the 15th minute own goal by Colorado's Pablo Mastroeni.

In many ways, Kreis believes that taking the next step is simple.

First, he'd like to see his team get right midfielder Chris Klein more involved by switching it his way instead of just Adu's way.