Real Salt Lake: RSL finally has evidence it's improved

The coaches, fans and especially players kept saying that the 2008 version of Real Salt Lake was better. That there were improvements made in every facet of the game. That mentally, technically, skillfully and in attitude huge strides were made. Through two games, the results simply weren't there to back up those claims.

Now there is proof.

With Real's 4-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the feelings and speculation that this year's team is different were finally vindicated.

"I really think we all felt like we were bound to erupt eventually, and it came tonight," said midfielder Kyle Beckerman, who had two of the team's goals. "It was good that it came early in the season because we were getting a bit frustrated with playing some good soccer but not getting rewarded with wins. Tonight, it all came together. I don't think it was our best performance soccer-playing wise, but as a team we just fought and had a good spirit. The team spirit was excellent tonight."

The thoughts that this may be the same old Real had to be creeping into the minds of some fans. Each year the word early was that the team had made changes for the better, but as the losses mounted and the wins simply eluded RSL, doubts returned. It may have only been two games into a seven-month season, but even other media outlets were starting to get the same vibe. In ESPN's power-rankings, they had Real ranked No. 12 in the 14-team league with the words next to it, "Everyone keeps saying this team is better, but where's the proof?" Now the team has something to point toward.

"I know that it feels really good to go out and win," said defender Matias Mantilla. "We have been playing really hard and playing good soccer, but we just didn't have a win. I think that tonight we showed how good we can be."

It is strange how four simple finishes to the back of the net can change the entire perspective of how good a team is or how good it can be.

"I think we were fortunate with some of the goals," said coach Jason Kreis. "When we score the goals I think it makes things look better because obviously you win games, but for me, the soccer probably wasn't quite as good as it has been in the last two games on our side. Scoring the goals makes things look brighter."

It wasn't until game No. 12 that Real got its first win of the year in 2007, but with 90 minutes of quality soccer in game No. 3, the entire outlook of a franchise may have shifted.

"I think that going out and beating a quality opponent like that could be something we can build on," said Mantilla. "We always thought we could be a good team, and maybe now it is more than just thinking it."

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E-mail: mblack@desnews.com