Real Salt Lake sails to Open Cup match

It's back to work for Real Salt Lake following the most impressive performance in franchise history.

Tuesday night RSL is in Seattle for a U.S. Open Cup play-in match against the Sounders, and then Saturday it returns to league action with a visit to the Colorado Rapids. Those two matches will be followed by two more league games the following week.

The busy schedule will definitely test the quality of depth on Real Salt Lake's roster.

"We wanted to make the training sessions more competitive this year, and in order to do that you have to have your number of really good players increased, and if you've done that and you believe in them then they should be able to produce when you put them on the field," said RSL coach Jason Kreis.

Plenty of those players should get an opportunity this weekend. Though RSL and most other MLS teams insist they take the U.S. Open Cup seriously, the bottom line is it's a second priority to performing well in the league.

That's why when RSL takes the field against Seattle at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., at 8 p.m. (MDT), the starting line-up will be vastly different than the one that thrashed New England 6-0 last weekend.

"It's no mystery that's a bit of a balancing act," said Kreis. "Absolutely we're going to put out a competitive team, and we're going to put out a team that I think can and should win. But it's not going to be 100 percent starters from Saturday night."

Success in the Open Cup is important to RSL for many reasons. In additional to potentially winning a trophy and then qualifying for international competitions, it's a chance to provide younger players with more playing time. Without the developmental league MLS teams are searching for ways to get some players more experience, the primary reason why RSL scrimmaged local amateur team earlier this year.

With a win Tuesday night RSL could play as many as five additional matches throughout Open Cup play. Tuesday night's winner advances to face Colorado in another play-in game, with a coin flip determining the host for that match. That winner officially advances to the 40-team tournament, with the eight MLS teams entering the competition in the third round.

"Sometimes teams don't prioritize it as much, but I think you have to take everything into account, it's a great situation to play some of your guys that normally wouldn't start for your team," said defender Chris Wingert. "If that's the case, that doesn't mean we're not trying to go out and win the game."

RSL will likely start three or four regulars against Seattle and then fill the remainder of the line-up with reserve players.

Regardless of who's on the field, for the first time in franchise history Real Salt Lake is probably good enough and deep enough to make a run at the Open Cup this year. In the previous four years that hasn't been the case with a 3-4 record and an 0-3 record on the road.

"Our main goal throughout the year is to win trophies, and this is another trophy for us to possibly win so we're going to put a good team out there and give 100 percent effort," said Wingert.

RSL on the air

Real Salt Lake at Seattle

U.S. Open Cup Play-In

Tonight, 8 p.m. at Starfire Sports Complex

Radio: AM700

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com