Real Salt Lake scrambling to find healthy help in net

Nick Rimando's status remains unclear heading into Real Salt Lake's game this weekend at D.C. United.

The team's first-choice keeper had four stitches removed from the middle finger on his right hand on Saturday, but the fracture in that same finger is a long way from healing.

He trained with the team on Tuesday and faced several powerful shots, but it's catching those shots that's the issue.

"Everything that hits it is going to hurt; it's just about being comfortable catching the ball," said Rimando.

As of now he isn't comfortable, and the last thing he wants is to be a liability by rushing back too soon.

Rimando injured the finger at Colorado several weeks ago when his hand was stepped on during a scramble in the box. He was replaced in that game by Kyle Reynish, who would again step in this weekend if Rimando isn't able to go.

RSL's primary backup, Chris Seitz, is out four to six weeks with a separated shoulder suffered in last Saturday's home loss against Kansas City.

If Reynish gets the nod, Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said he's comfortable with that reality.

"He played some minutes against Colorado, which I think was important for his confidence," said Kreis. "He did a lot of things well in that game, made a couple saves, made a couple decisions to come out for crosses, and I'm confident he can do the job."

With the team departing on Thursday and training in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Kreis said he may hold off on naming this weekend's starter until the day before the match.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: Prior to Monday's RSL training session, Kreis told his players that no one's starting spot is safe. He informed them his lineup decisions against D.C. United would be based exclusively on this week's training sessions.

When asked if his team might play with the same type of defensive mentality it did at Chivas USA on May 9, Kreis simply said "no comment."

What does it all mean? Fans should expect the unexpected.

RSL might end up using a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation, or perhaps even a 3-5-2 to even up the numbers in the midfield with D.C. United. Then there's the personnel on the field. Kreis could go with the usual suspects, or he could mix things up and try and help the team shake its four-game winless streak.

"After what I consider four poor results in a row, it's time to really consider, really think. Weigh everything in; for me it's a level playing field," said Kreis.

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com