Real Salt Lake goes cold in Canada

Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis sat in the visitors dressing room, head in his hands, staring at the floor — lamenting an afternoon filled with missed chances.

"We put so much into this game," he said of his team. "I'm so proud of what the guys put forth in that match."

Well, maybe not so proud about the finishing. In a game that RSL had to win to maintain a realistic shot at the MLS playoffs, it dominated most of the play, but came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline Saturday, thanks to a slew of great saves from Toronto FC keeper Brian Edwards and more than a couple of scuffed scoring chances.

Because New England, which held the eighth and final playoff spot going into action Saturday, only managed a 0-0 draw at home to Chicago, RSL still has a playoff chance. But it needs to beat Colorado next weekend and have plenty of help. That would include last-place New York not allowing TFC to have three points in their final game.

"Having been a forward, I think our forwards could have and should have done better with their opportunities," Kreis said.

Three minutes into the second half, the 20,384 fans at sold-out BMO Field erupted when Jim Brennan, a defender placed into the wing as TFC tried to press forward, scored the winner. After RSL keeper Nick Rimando came out of his goal to deny striker Chad Barrett, the rebound fell to left-footed Brennan. He struck it with his weaker right, and it rolled in as defender Jamison Olave whiffed on a goal-line clearance.

'"I thought to myself, 'Jim Brennan on his right foot is not going to make this happen,'" said Jason Kreis.

"I don't think anyone expected me to score with my right foot," laughed Brennan. "But a goal is a goal."

"We have to look at the video," said Rimando. "We have to see who didn't get back and make the play. That was the deciding factor."

Brennan got the goal, but Edwards was the story. He made three highlight-reel saves to deny RSL chances.

"He made some fantastic plays," said Kreis. "That's what it's about, it's about making plays at this time of year."

Edwards is Toronto's regular back-up to Stefan Frei. But Frei has missed the last two games with an injured hand. Before the game was a minute old, Edwards had made his first outstanding save. He robbed RSL forward Fabian Espindola, who collected a long kick from Rimando, then lashed a volley that was earmarked for the roof of the Toronto net. But Edwards made a fingertip save.