Real Salt Lake hopes for happy homecoming

SANDY — Nick Rimando's injury paved the way for Chris Seitz's long-awaited opportunity to prove himself with Real Salt Lake's first team.

He's shown well in his two starts, but the team is 0-1-1 in those matches, and tonight's home match against Kansas City represents perhaps Seitz's last chance to prove to the coaching staff that he deserves more frequent playing time.

Rimando expects to have the four stitches removed from his lacerated finger this weekend, opening the door for him to return to the starting lineup next weekend at D.C. United.

RSL coach Jason Kreis declined to comment on his team's goalkeeping situation heading into next week, though, partly because of a very important match at Rio Tinto Stadium tonight at 7.

Kansas City sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 11 points, whereas RSL occupies the fifth spot in the West with 10 points. Both are a bit desperate for the full three points as they've gone a combined six matches without a victory.

"I think they've been very similar to us, gotten a result here and there and dropped some points where they really thought they deserved to do better," said Kreis.

If Seitz can help Real Salt Lake get back in the win column and build momentum heading into a stretch with four of five matches on the road, he might not have to wait for another Rimando freak injury for a starting opportunity.

First, he must get the victory in goal, something he's never done. He's 0-2-2 in his brief MLS career, including a 2-2 draw against Los Angeles and 1-0 loss at Chivas USA last week. One of those three goals was on a penalty kick, whereas another took a deflection, which rendered Seitz helpless, and the other Seitz barely saw because he was screened by a teammate.

"Sure hope (a win) comes. I've been waiting and have had two tough results; hopefully this is the time," said Seitz, who said he's been getting pretty positive feedback from the coaching staff.

He admits there were moments he could've done better, but overall he feels comfortable with the backline in front of him and they appear to feel comfortable with him.

That bodes well going forward, especially considering that Rimando remained injury free last season and started all 30 matches as a result.