For Real Salt Lake, San Jose could be the perfect cure for road woes

The next step for Real Salt Lake is a pretty simple one — score a goal already.

RSL hasn't scored in five road matches this year, including last week's scoreless draw at D.C. United, the club's first road points of the season.

Until it starts putting away some chances, particularly on the road, Real Salt Lake will remain on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

"It just comes down to sticking away chances. We've had a lot of shots and a lot of goal-scoring opportunities and not a lot of goals, so obviously you've got to convert some of your opportunities," said RSL midfielder Will Johnson.

There might not be a better opportunity all season for RSL to figure things out than tonight, when it faces San Jose at Buck Shaw Stadium at 8:30 p.m. (MDT).

The Earthquakes are coming off a 2-1 loss at Columbus on Wednesday; they sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with just five points through 10 matches, and their 21 goals against is the worst in MLS.

It's silly to think that Real Salt Lake and its zero road goals might be a favorite, but that's how bad San Jose has been lately.

Don't expect RSL to be overconfident, though.

"I've no doubt they're going to turn it around at some point, so we've just got to go in there and not take anything for granted and not let this be the time they look to turn their season around," said defender Tony Beltran.

Johnson is another player adamant about staying focused.

"This league is all about parity. San Jose got off to a slow start last year and they caused some troubles for some teams in the middle of last year as well, so we've got to go in there cautious and make sure we're ready to go and not underestimate," he said.

Ironically enough, RSL's last road victory dates back to last September when it rallied to beat San Jose 3-2. Ned Grabavoy was on the losing end of that match as a member of the San Jose squad last year, but he's optimistic about being on the winning end this year.

The team is anxious to follow up on last weekend's 0-0 draw at D.C. United, a match in which the club recommitted itself to the defensive side of the ball.