Real Salt Lake: Kreis, players believed in a comeback

Despite zero evidence to back him up, Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis believed his team had a comeback in them last weekend.

Don't be mistaken, he still berated his players at halftime about their abysmal first-half showing against FC Dallas, but he also reiterated that they were capable of a rallying from the 2-0 deficit.

It seemed like wishful thinking more than anything else.

Prior to Friday night, Real Salt Lake's record when trailing at the half was 0-5-0. Its record when allowing the first goal was 1-7-1, and its record when surrendering two or more goals in a game was 0-6-1.

"We hadn't done a good job of it all year, and I wanted to try again and challenge them and tell them that I thought they were capable of it," said Kreis.

RSL defender Nat Borchers, who served as the team's captain while Kyle Beckerman was away with the U.S. National Team, said everyone knew what was needed in the second half against FC Dallas.

"We definitely came in at halftime and we realized we needed to regroup. It wasn't all fun and games, but I think we're all good professionals in here and we came out and said there's only one thing we need to bring to this game and that's energy and we did that," said Borchers.

That increased energy led to an astonishing 4-2 come-from-behind victory and, in the process, it might've saved RSL's season. The key word is might've. It still sits four points out of a playoff position with 12 games remaining, and its next three games are against Chicago, Seattle and Houston — three of the best teams in MLS.

After securing the first victory in franchise history in which the club overcame a two-goal deficit, RSL should be a confident team heading into the stretch run.

"I really think we showed a lot of spirit and this should be a turning point," said Borchers. "We've said it before, but I think we'll be able to come in this week fresh and go after Chicago."

READY TO CONTRIBUTE: Real Salt Lake's newest midfielder has finally arrived. Rachid El Khalifi, the dutch winger RSL tentatively signed a few weeks ago pending his U.S. work visa approval, arrived in Utah Monday evening and is expected to train with the team this morning.

An official announcement about his signing is expected today and he'd then likely be available for the Chicago match this Saturday.

A WEEKLY HONOR: For scoring a pair of goals and leading RSL to a 4-2 victory over FC Dallas last weekend, striker Yura Movsisyan was named the MLS Player of the Week.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com