Real Salt Lake: Team is looking to narrow the gap

Two games, 28 shots and one legitimate goal. These Real Salt Lake statistics can be interpreted one of two ways. The optimist will point to the shots and trumpet the fact RSL is at least creating chances. The pessimist will bemoan the reality that 1-of-28 is a brutal percentage.

Both points of view have validity, but RSL is hoping to narrow the gap this weekend when it hosts D.C. United. In all reality, scoring more goals from its many shots should just be a matter of time as the newcomers grow more accustomed to each other.

That's especially true for Scottish striker Kenny Deuchar.

"They like to play the ball on the deck a little more," said Deuchar, who scored RSL's lone goal last weekend. "(I'm) used to more direct balls, longer balls back home, but I think second half on Saturday we mixed it up a little bit and we did play a lot of good stuff. We also went direct as well which makes us more unpredictable."

The towering Deuchar obviously prefers to play a little bit more direct, but Real coach Jason Kreis seeks more balance and believes Deuchar is a critical element to that balance.

"He's a forward and he's going to want service, I completely understand that. But I do think there's a balance there," said Kreis. "If we start playing direct all the time that's not my game, that's not Real Salt Lake's game, so there's going to be a balance and we brought him here because we feel he can do both. He can hold the ball up for us, but he can also play soccer as well. I think he's going to have to adjust a bit to our game as well."

It's inevitably going to take Deuchar time to adjust to RSL's tactics as well as his new teammates. Against Chicago in the opener, Deuchar came on in the final half hour and was paired up top with Robbie Findley. The duo started last weekend's match at Chivas USA, but the ineffective Findley was replaced in the 60th minute by Yura Movsisyan.

It's unlikely that Findley will get the starting nod against D.C. United on Saturday based on his recent poor performance, therefore Deuchar will once again be paired up with a new strike partner — whether it's Movsisyan or Fabian Espindola.

"It'll take a while, it doesn't just happen overnight. But it's not just the forwards, either, it's learning how everyone plays, what sort of movement they're looking for and what sort of balls I'm looking for, and that will take a bit of time," said Deuchar. "But hopefully we can improve quickly and start to get the right results."

Kreis also believes the attack can be enhanced even further by attacking midfielder Javier Morales.

"There's been some games in the preseason I thought he did a little bit more, so I don't think he's at the top of of his game, but he's doing a lot of good things for us for sure," said Kreis.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com