Real Salt Lake to face Galaxy, adversity

SANDY — Real Salt Lake has been invincible at home this season with a plus-10 goal differential, but it hasn't come close to facing the type of adversity it will tonight.

RSL will be dealing with three major voids in the heart of its formation without suspended players Javier Morales and Jamison Olave, as well as injured goalkeeper Nick Rimando. They were arguably the club's three best players last year, but it must forge ahead without them against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium at 7 p.m.

"We believe we built this team with depth, we believe in all of our players, so now it's time for other players to step up. Not only take their opportunity, but take their responsibility," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "They need to look at this as it's time for them to be accountable, it's time for them to step forward and do something for the team."

With one-sixth of the season already in the books, tonight is a critical match for confidence purposes. Since its 6-0 thrashing of New England, RSL dropped a U.S. Open Cup qualifier at Seattle 4-1 and was blanked in league play at Colorado last Saturday 2-0. With another game on tap this weekend at league-leading Chivas USA, if RSL fails to get a result against the Galaxy tonight, a four-game losing skid and a spot near the bottom of the Western Conference standings is a real probability.

"We need a big game Wednesday night, we need a real positive reaction from our group. That's one of the good things about having a game this quickly, we don't have to wait all week for this one, we can get all the guys out there," said Kreis.

RSL is 3-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium this season, whereas it's 0-3 on the road with zero goals scored.

The Landon Donovan-led Galaxy, meanwhile, have been unimpressive yet steady. Their 1-1-4 record isn't anything special, but the bottom line is they've only lost once and earned draws in road matches at Colorado and San Jose. Plus, any team featuring Donovan against a squad with uncertainty at the back must be considered dangerous.

Chris Seitz will be the last line of defense for RSL against the Galaxy. He'll be making his first league start since 2007 in place of the injured Rimando. As for the other two voids, the coaching staff has plenty of options.

Without center back Olave, who's suspended for his red card last week, Kreis could plug either David Horst or Robbie Russell into his spot. If Russell gets the nod by shifting from right back to center back, Tony Beltran would become the likely starter at right back.