Real Salt Lake's Chris Wingert itching to return to action against L.A. Galaxy

WASHINGTON — Like Kyle Beckerman, Chris Wingert spent all of last week in the nation's capital despite no hope of playing in either of Real Salt Lake's two matches. Though frustrating, it was well worth it for a chance to visit the White House.

Unlike Beckerman, though, Wingert is hoping to get back on the field this Wednesday when RSL hosts the L.A. Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Wingert took a run around Washington, D.C., on Sunday morning before the team caught a flight back to Salt Lake City. It was another successful step in what he hopes is a quick recovery from the hamstring strain suffered in the May 29 home win over Kansas City.

"If it feels OK running, then that's all that matters because that's the only thing that's bothered it," he said. "It's not like passing or side to side bothers it, it's just a straight, forward sprint."

Considering the magnitude of L.A.'s visit on many levels, Wingert is itching to get back on the field.

The Galaxy are off to an unbelievable start to the 2010 season, amassing a 10-0-2 record as they've already distanced themselves from second-place Real Salt Lake by 12 points in the Western Conference standings.

"I'm OK with them beating everyone else in the West because they're keeping everyone else down," said Wingert. "The most important thing is for us to keep getting closer and closer to a playoff spot, and not necessarily to win the conference. Of course we'd love to do that, but we'll worry about that later on. We've just got to worry about ourselves getting points."

Realistically, if RSL hopes to catch the Galaxy in the conference race, Wednesday is a must-win.

A victory would close the gap to nine points, and with a game in hand the deficit could be six points if RSL wins that extra game, too.

There's additional incentive for Wingert. He and RSL assistant coach Robin Fraser were both members of the 2004 Columbus team that set a league record with an 18-game unbeaten streak. The Crew's record during that stretch was 8-0-10 for 34 points. In Los Angeles' current 12-game unbeaten streak, it's already amassed 32 points with a staggering 10 wins and only two draws.

"They're getting a little close to that record. I'd like them to take a loss this Wednesday; that would be a perfect game," joked Wingert.

Chasing down a league record won't be the Galaxy's only incentive.

Runners-up to RSL in last year's MLS Cup championship, the Galaxy already beat the champs at the Home Depot Center back in April, 2-1. They'd love to do it again at Rio Tinto Stadium, where RSL is unbeaten in 15 straight league games.

Andy Williams expects a different result.

After hearing that Los Angeles throttled Houston 4-1 on Saturday night, he said, "Especially against Houston they're sending a statement. Our turn Wednesday to step up to the plate and send a message, too."

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com