Real Salt Lake: Kreis still has faith in Wingert

CARSON, Calif. — Jason Kreis was adamant prior to Saturday's match that he hasn't lost faith in Chris Wingert. He admitted, however, that the defender hasn't been playing his best. In an effort to help Wingert rediscover the form that earned him a call-up to the U.S. National Team earlier this year, RSL's coaching staff cut Wingert some slack.

A naturally right-footed player, Wingert got the starting nod against the L.A. Galaxy at right back where he's obviously more comfortable.

Wingert has primarily played left back this year because of the void in the line-up created by Ian Joy's lengthy recovery from a hamstring injury. Lately he's lost that starting left back spot to second-year player Tony Beltran, who has really impressive the coaching staff with his development as a player.

Robbie Russell's red card suspension created an opportunity for Wingert to get back in the starting line-up Saturday, and instead of putting him at left back Kreis inserted him into his more natural role at right back.

TEMPORARY LEAVE: RSL midfielder Andy Williams didn't accompany his teammates to California this weekend so he could be with his wife, Marcia, in Seattle while she received her cord blood transplant on Friday.

Williams had appeared in 10 of 12 matches for RSL prior to Saturday night's absence.

Even though a cord blood match was discovered, Williams is still encouraging people to become registered bone marrow donors. There's a chance the cord blood transplant won't be a success, and Williams said a bone marrow match is much more advantageous to begin with.

IRON MAN EXCELLING: Will Johnson, the only RSL player to play every minute of every match this year, seems to have found a new home in the middle of the field.

Johnson made his second straight start alongside Kyle Beckerman at holding midfield in RSL's 4-3-3 formation on Saturday, and he was extremely active getting stuck in on several tackles and even going after former teammate Dema Kovalenko on a couple of occasions.

For the most part Johnson has had a subpar season; a change of scenery may have helped him find his groove.

RARE LEAD: Yura Movsisyan's goal in the 13th minute Saturday gave RSL its first lead of the season away from Rio Tinto Stadium.

A year ago Real Salt Lake scored the opening goal in just five of 15 away matches, posting a 2-2-1 record. Movsisyan scored the first goal in three of those five games, two coming in the opening three minutes.

E-MAIL: jedward@desnews.com