Real Salt Lake still likes its chances

Spirits are high at Real Salt Lake training this week, and it's not hard to figure out why.

Despite losing control of its playoff destiny with a loss at Toronto FC last weekend, the team is still mathematically alive in the playoff chase and actually has something to play for this weekend.

"I feel like we've been granted a second opportunity, a second chance, and I've always been somebody that thrives on those opportunities. I'm a coach that gives players second chances. I think I have a team that's going to take advantage of its second chance," said RSL coach Jason Kreis.

For the past few months, the RSL players heard all about how they needed 43 points to reach the playoffs, so naturally the mood last weekend was extremely somber after losing to Toronto 1-0. The necessary 43 points were no longer attainable.

"It felt like we'd failed, felt like the season was over," said Kreis. "We were reminded quickly there was a glimmer of hope."

As luck would have it, enough things went right for RSL in other league matches last weekend to keep that glimmer of hope alive. At this point, that's all the players can hope for.

"To be honest, we're pretty happy," said RSL keeper Nick Rimando. "We thought we had to win all three. We can still possibly get in. We still have something to play for."

Don't be mistaken by the positive vibes. Rimando and his teammates are extremely frustrated with how this season has played out and the situation they've put themselves in. Rimando stressed that they only have themselves to blame.

Nat Borchers said there will be plenty of time after the season to look back and wonder why things unfolded the way they did. For now, he's remaining upbeat.

"The mood's positive. Everybody's excited for the opportunity to get us into the playoffs, to play our biggest rivals and to knock them off in the process," he said.

With a win over Colorado, Real Salt Lake would improve to 40 points in the final standings. Depending on how four other matches play out over the weekend, that might actually be good enough to earn a playoff berth.

Borchers stressed that Real Salt Lake can't concern itself with the other four matches, though. Unless RSL takes care of business against the Rapids at Rio Tinto Stadium this Saturday, the rest of the matches are a moot point.

Then again, unless those other matches go RSL's way, it could beat Colorado 6-0 on Saturday and that could be a moot point as well.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com