From Deseret News archives:
Real frustration: RSL falls apart late in match to lose yet again
And that explains the deathly quiet, ashen faces and funereal atmosphere in the visitors' locker room following Saturday's 2-0 loss before 14,203 at Crew Stadium.
"We're frustrated with the results," Real Salt Lake defender Ritchie Kotschau said. "We're frustrated with how we're playing. We're just frustrated overall. Things don't seem to be going our way."
As has often been the case this season, the collapse came late. Columbus scored both goals in the final quarter-hour of play. Of the 23 goals surrendered by Real Salt Lake this season, 10 have been scored in the final 15 minutes.
"Obviously, they say the game's 90 minutes-plus," Kotschau said. "You've got to stay with it for that amount of time."
Columbus took the lead in the 76th minute on a somewhat controversial penalty kick. Andy Herron broke into the penalty area and played the ball beyond Real Salt Lake defender Kotschau. When Kotschau went to the ground to play the ball, Herron stepped on the defender's chest, then went to the ground himself and was awarded the penalty kick.
"I didn't get the ball and I didn't get (Herron) either," Kotschau said. "It's just one of those things where we get in situations and it looks like a PK. (Referee Alex Prus) is forced to make a decision, and he made a decision for a PK."
Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the creator of so many Columbus attacks on Saturday, stepped up and drove the penalty kick high into the net.
"The whole game turned on that moment," Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said. "That's what you get sometimes when you have a team that's going though such a tough patch as we are. One decision like that, and the whole game turns on its head."
Four minutes later, Columbus sealed the victory when Jaime Moreno raced up the left wing, then centered for Crew substitute Eddie Gaven to one-time into the net.
"We didn't come out and fight," Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. "We didn't connect passes. We weren't dangerous going forward. When that happens, you're going to have two goals scored against you."
Compounding the misery, Real Salt Lake's Alecko Eskandarian was sent off in extra time. He first received a yellow card for throwing away the ball and then received a red card for a hard tackle. He will miss next Saturday's match at Kansas City.
The victory continues Columbus' recent run of form. The Crew (5-4-7, 22 points) are 4-0-2 in their last half-dozen matches and have not lost since June 10. In the process, they have steadily climbed the Eastern Conference standings. With 22 points, the Crew are a legitimate playoff contender.
