Real Salt Lake: Defensive subs gain confidence in Wednesday's tie

With as much negative scrutiny as David Horst and Tony Beltran have received already this season in conjunction with some costly mistakes, in many ways the Real Salt Lake coaching staff was picking its own poison when determining who of the two second-year players would start against Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Jamison Olave's red-card suspension created a void in RSL's defense, and with Robbie Russell's flexibility, coach Jason Kreis had two obvious replacement options — Horst or Beltran.

Did he feel more comfortable leaving Russell at right back and starting Horst in the middle, or moving Russell to center back and starting Beltran at right back?

Both options came with baggage. Beltran struggled mightily early in a season-opening loss at Seattle, whereas Horst made the disastrous mistake at New York that cost RSL an early goal in a 2-0 loss.

Kreis went with his gut and started Beltran. It was great news for Beltran, a player who thrives on confidence, but not so great news for Horst. But the overlooked Horst refuses to mope about the situation.

"I was definitely disappointed, but it tells me I'm not doing my job. So I've got to start working harder in practice and out of practice; I've got to start doing other things," said Horst. "I'm not necessarily going to get down on myself, it just shows I need to do more, and that's what I've got to start doing if I want to get into that starting spot when I've got the opportunity."

Ironically enough, Horst ended up getting an abbreviated opportunity in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with the Galaxy anyway, replacing Nat Borchers, who went down with a sprained ankle in the 69th minute.

Horst was very active and effective during his 21 minutes on the field.

"I thought he did well tonight; this is the first time he's played at home in a first-team MLS match, and I thought he stepped in and did some real nice things for us," said Kreis.

The confidence of playing well and the knowledge of knowing he must work harder should help Horst as the season progresses. As for Beltran, his individual confidence is sky high right now despite the disappointment of Wednesday's tie.

Beltran more than held his own against Galaxy attacking players Landon Donovan and Eddie Lewis.

"It's a little bit of motivation to play against someone like Donovan and Eddie Lewis, both great U.S. National Team players. I felt comfortable against them and confident out there; I'm happy with the way I played," said Beltran.