Real Salt Lake midfielders keep United in check

SANDY — In his time with Real Salt Lake, midfielder Will Johnson has developed a reputation for being willing to cover an insane amount of ground.

But as goalkeeper Nick Rimando and defender Nat Borthers both pointed out following RSL's 2-1 come-from-behind win over D.C. United Saturday, Johnson isn't the only Salt Lake midfielder that's willing to consistently cover lots of territory.

Johnson, plus fellow midfielders Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales, all worked extremely hard for RSL on Saturday, especially in the second half, and they work they did most definitely wasn't lost on Rimando or Borchers.

There are "three guys that run their butts off in there," said Rimando. "Even our playmaker, Javier, is running around, playing defense. Back in the day in MLS, you could have that (creative) midfielder that doesn't have to defend, but not now. You gotta have some guys that are fit and ready to play a full 90 minutes . . . and that's what Will and Beckerman and Javi bring to this team.

"They're willing to work, not only on the offensive side, but on the defensive side."

They certainly were willing to work hard on both ends with RSL locked in a 1-1 tie with D.C. United in the second half Saturday.

Granted, as RSL coach Jason Kreis pointed out afterward, D.C. was probably trying to settle for a point in the second half, but Salt Lake nonetheless made sure its opponent never got into dangerous positions.

The backline was solid and composed, and the work RSL's midfielders did in front of the defenders clearly made a huge difference.

"It's a cliche to say, but it makes it easy for us," said Borchers. "I've said before, I think we've got the best midfield in the league. And I think that from a standpoint of those guys doing the dirty work plus being good with the ball, it makes it a lot easier for us in the back to make decisions and to possess the ball. I just think they've been terrific for us."

With D.C. United held in shackles throughout the second half, it was a play between Borchers and Rimando in the 87th minute that produced the only scary moment down the stretch for RSL.

With Salt Lake leading 2-1 via a second-half goal from Morales, Borchers — without looking — headed a ball back toward Rimando. There was just one problem: Rimando was inching forward.

Borchers was extremely fortunate that he headed the ball right into the path of Rimando, who did well to catch it and avert disaster.

To his credit, Borchers managed to smile about the moment afterward.

"I've already had a couple of people ask me about it," he said. "When you have a good connection with your goalkeeper, you can pretty much do anything you want."

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