Real Salt Lake: Small field, big chance in Houston

A little over a week ago, Chivas USA visited Houston in a highly-anticipated match pitting the two best teams in MLS. Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis watched with particular interest knowing his team would be making a visit to Houston on Father's Day weekend.

More than the soccer itself, Kreis noticed the narrow field conditions at Robertson Stadium.

His best estimation in watching on television was a width of 66 yards, easily the smallest in MLS. Just a few weeks back, RSL played a game at Buck Shaw Stadium in San Jose, a tiny playing surface in its own right but one that's still 71 yards wide.

Looking back on that Western Conference showdown, Kreis said, "there were two very good soccer teams out there and there wasn't a lot of soccer going on."

It was a battle more than a thing of beauty, and that's what Kreis expects this Saturday when Real Salt Lake visits Houston.

In preparation for the tight field conditions in Texas, RSL's coaching staff condensed everything a bit tighter in training this week. But more than anything, the players simply need to remain focused at all times.

"That closes the space, that closes the time you have on the ball, and it means the balls are out of play a lot so you need to be really, really focused on throw-ins and defending corner kicks, defending free kicks," Kreis said.

In its most recent match against San Jose, most RSL players inexcusably lost focus on a second half throw-in which ultimately led to a very easy goal for the Earthquakes.

"With the size of the field, the humidity and the way they play at home especially, it's going to be a very tough game for us. I think we're all excited for the challenge, especially after a positive result against L.A.," said RSL defender Nat Borchers.

He and the rest of Real Salt Lake's backline in particular need to keep focused.

Factoring in all of the conditions that will come into play on Saturday, Kreis has made a bold prediction and guaranteed that at least one goal will be scored on a dead ball situation. Whether it's a throw-in, a corner kick or a free kick, he believes it's an inevitability.

"That's where goals happen on small fields. We need to be focused on it both defensively and offensively because that could be the difference," Kreis said.

Considering that Houston has only surrendered three goals during a 10-game unbeaten streak that includes eight wins, one goal could indeed be the difference.

Kyle Beckerman insists he isn't intimidated about playing Houston, and he believes the Dynamo are beatable despite their glossy record.

"They have a style that suits that field well. A lot of it is winning 50-50 balls, winning the midfield," he said. "If you can dominate the midfield, you've got a good chance to win the game no matter if it's there or away."

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com