Playoff intensity in Real Salt Lake win

SANDY — Kyle Beckerman said Saturday night's win over Columbus had a playoff intensity to it, and understandably so.

Real Salt Lake beat Columbus in a two-game playoff series last year, but the Crew returned the favor with a 1-0 win at home back in April. Afterward a few players seemed to discredit RSL's playoff run last year, which Beckerman said was on his mind when he took the field.

"It just puts fuel to the fire, made it a little bit more exciting to beat them," he said.

More importantly though, Beckerman said the win helped RSL keep pace with the L.A. Galaxy in the standings.

Real Salt Lake and Columbus are neck and neck in pursuit of the Galaxy for the league's best record, but with the Galaxy beating New York earlier Saturday, both knew the importance of picking up the full three points.

It was a bit chippy throughout the match as a result, but referee Jorge Gonzalez did a good job treating it like a playoff game and only handing out one yellow card.

Heading into a two-week break from league play to focus on the CONCACAF Champions League, RSL has 39 points (11-4-6) and is only four behind the Galaxy (13-3-4, 43 points).

"It was a big chance to get three points and keep ourselves within striking distance of L.A., and if they slip up we've got to be able to take advantage of it," said Will Johnson.

COMING UP BIG: On average, Nick Rimando usually only makes three or four saves a game. Most of the time they're pretty routine.

Against Columbus he only made four saves, but three were very acrobatic and helped preserve the win. His 38th minute leaping save on a Steven Lenhart header kept RSL in front 1-0, as did a fingertip save on Adam Moffat in the 54th minute.

In the 87th minute he swatted a goal-bound shot by Leandre Griffit away to prevent RSL from sweating out the final three minutes.

RSL coach Jason Kreis was pleased with the saves, but would've preferred to see an easier night for Rimando.

"That's displeasing to finish a game in that fashion to have to rely on Nick Rimando," he said. "I was really pleased with Rimando, he made some critical, critical saves for us. At 2-nil at home, I'd prefer he didn't have to make those saves."

FIRED UP: Real Salt Lake went out of its way to fire up the Rio Tinto Stadium crowd just prior to kickoff.

Quotes from Crew players William Hesmer and Gino Padula discrediting RSL's championship last year were displayed on the stadium big video screen prior to kickoff.