Real Salt Lake: New kicks on block?

As a franchise, Real Salt Lake toiled in mediocrity for several years before finally reaching the MLS playoffs' promised land this year.

With the moment finally here, now what? The organization has never been in this position, and surely it can't expect much being the new kids on the block.

Even though the organization is new to this whole MLS playoff thing, many of the players aren't. They don't have the same type of playoff resume as two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston, but there's an impressive amount of playoff-type experience on RSL's roster.

Some guys like Nick Rimando and Dema Kovalenko gained legitimate playoff experience playing with other MLS teams through the years. As for other guys like Ian Joy and Nat Borchers, they played in some huge Cup matches and relegation-type matches in Europe prior to joining RSL.

Borchers said he's not the least bit intimidated by Real Salt Lake's first-ever playoff appearance. For starters, he was in the playoffs with Colorado for three years from 2003 to '05 prior to going abroad for a couple of seasons in Norway. It's his foreign experiences that have him so mentally prepared for the 2008 MLS playoffs.

"We played relegation games both years I was there, which are even more stressful than anything you can imagine," said Borchers. "It's a huge loss financially, and for the pride for the club. The whole town's industry is built on top of the club."

Borchers' team avoided relegation the first go-around, but not the second. It was a disaster for the club. But if RSL's first playoff stint is a short one, it would by no means be a disaster. After all, the club exceeded expectations by simply making the playoffs, and it has a bright future ahead in 2009.

Assuming coach Jason Kreis goes with the same starting 11 this Saturday as he did for the regular-season finale at Colorado last weekend, RSL would have 81 games' worth of MLS playoff experience on the field. Kovalenko heads up that list with 29 playoff appearances in nine years, followed by Clint Mathis with 21 games in six years.

Rimando, who is no stranger to playoff intensity with 12 appearances over three seasons, admits there's definitely a different intensity to the playoffs as opposed to the regular season.

"The first game is going to be 100 miles per hour. The important thing is to relax and play smart soccer," said Rimando. "It is a different feel for sure, but it's about not thinking about it like that. If you don't think about it like that, you're a little bit relaxed."