Ever since the MLS Players Union released the league's salaries a few weeks ago, various media outlets across the country have analyzed the numbers and published numerous overrated and underrated lists.

With an annual salary of $200,000 — the second-highest on Real Salt Lake — midfielder Dema Kovalenko has been touted by many as overrated.

If he keeps turning in performances like he did in Saturday's win over D.C. United, those perceptions may very well change. The 10-year MLS veteran assisted on RSL's first two goals to help kick start the victory.

"Dema was a player yesterday that was having back spasms, and we were quite unsure as to whether he was even going to be able to play tonight, so he put in a tremendous effort," said coach Jason Kreis.

While his second assist was realistically pure luck after Fabian Espindola ran onto Kovalenko's lobbed ball down field, his first assist demonstrated a tremendous amount of vision. Standing near the right sideline, Kovalenko saw Kyle Beckerman making a darting run through the midfield and he played a perfectly weighted ball upfield in front of Beckerman.

The result was an easy finish, which should help Kovalenko back up his promise that RSL would definitely more than six games this year. He was adamant about that following the team's season-opening draw to Chicago two weeks ago, and Saturday was the first step in the right direction.

UNFAMILIAR FACES: RSL keeper Nick Rimando spent five straight seasons (2002-2006) with D.C. United, so whenever he plays against his old team it's obviously a special occasion.

Ironically enough, just two years removed from his D.C. days, Rimando says there aren't many familiar faces remaining.

"There's definitely a new squad out there," Rimando said following Friday's training session at Rice-Eccles Stadium. "I had to go over there and start talking Spanish to them with all their new players, and I don't even know Spanish."

Of the 18 players on D.C. United's 18-man roster, only seven were with D.C. United during Rimando's tenure with the team.

RSL midfielder Kovalenko was also a member of D.C. United from 2003 to 2005.

REAL COMPETITIVE: Prior to Saturday night, RSL had a losing record against every team in Major League Soccer. That all changed with the club's victory over D.C. United.

By virtue of its third-straight win over D.C. at Rice-Eccles Stadium, RSL's all-time record against the most successful team in MLS history now stands at 3-3-1.

The three other opponents RSL has been the most competitive with are Kansas City (2-3-1), New York (0-1-5) and Toronto (0-1-1). RSL's worst luck has been against. Its worst luck has been against FC Dallas (2-8-1) and Chivas USA (2-7-3).

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com