Real Salt Lake has attack mentality regardless of location

SANDY — The importance of scoring the first goal in soccer can't be overstated enough. It is without a doubt the most important stat in soccer.

Through this weekend's slate of MLS games, the combined record of teams scoring first is a staggering 106-8-29. The first goal all but guarantees a team at least a tie.

The first goal usually changes the entire dynamic of the game, with one team now forced to chase. Even for the best teams, a one-goal deficit is too much to overcome

For that reason, coach Jason Kreis is actually quite pleased with RSL's five come-from-behind ties and believes they are another benefit to the mentality of his team.

"It's because we try not to go play defensive anywhere. We try to be a team that's going to be on the front foot; we try to be the team that's going to press the issue," he said.

Visiting teams at Rio Tinto Stadium usually approach the game differently, content to defend for 90 minutes and pray for a counter-attacking goal or a mistake from the home team. Real Salt Lake, however, rarely concedes either.

"The mindset of the team has always been the first 15 minutes to get out there and get after it. Throw caution to the wind a little bit, try and play in their half, press in their half, defend in their half, take chances to score an early goal," said Kreis.

RSL did that Saturday night as Javier Morales scored another wonder goal in the 11th minute.

Just that quickly, Columbus' game plan to defend had become irrelevant. Unlike most teams, though, the Crew adjusted relatively well, and even though they eventually lost 2-0, they created enough chances in the second half to keep the game interesting.

Most teams, however, struggle with switching tactics on the fly, another reason Kreis believes in maintaining the same mentality every match.

The approach paid off in visits to Kansas City and Philadelphia this past week. In both games, RSL tried playing its style but ended up conceding early goals in each.

"Sometimes, that means we're going to be caught out of the back a little bit and allow a goal. But because we play with that mentality all the time, we don't have to have a big shift of, 'OK, our game plan didn't work, they scored. What are we going to do now?' " Kreis said.

Real Salt Lake ended up scoring the equalizer in Kansas City and Philadelphia within 12 minutes of falling behind to earn a draw in each.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com