Asked about how he would approach that situation this offseason, Kreis seemed to honestly declare he wasn't sure. Kreis and his coaching staff have focused so intently on the playoffs the past month there's been little time to discuss personnel for the 2009 season.

Things will definitely be different for RSL next year, but making the playoffs will by no means be a foregone conclusion.

Not only did the team barely make the playoffs in 2008 to begin with, but the Seattle franchise joins the league next year and it is already putting together what appears to be a competitive team. Then there are fellow Western Conference teams like Los Angeles and Dallas, each of whom missed the playoffs this year but who will definitely make drastic overhauls this offseason to be more competitive in 2009.

Kreis is extremely optimistic about the future.

"There certainly have been moments and then a lot of them at the end of the season where the team could see the type of potential they have," said Kreis.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com