Real Salt Lake relishing role of underdog

When a reporter asked Jason Kreis in Thursday's postgame press conference if he felt relieved or perhaps lucky to beat Columbus in the playoffs, it did not sit well with the Real Salt Lake coach.

He's been adament — since a string of results unfolded perfectly for RSL on the final weekend of the regular season — that his team belonged in the playoffs. For anyone to suggest otherwise was upsetting.

"It says that in our locker room, as I've said all along, we believe. We believe a lot more than anybody outside of our locker room, and that's been pretty obvious this week from all we've read and heard," said Kreis.

Most RSL players and coaches pay attention to what the local and national media are saying, and virtually nobody gave them a shot against Columbus in Game 2. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando said it "100 percent" motivated the team on Thursday.

"When you have more than half the soccer analysts doubting you, the first thing you want to do is win and prove them wrong," said Rimando.

Kyle Beckerman found it interesting that everyone was so quick to discredit his team's 1-0 lead after Game 1, but admits the motivation became an advantage.

"I think it's a good position to be the underdog. It was kind of strange after we were winning the series how we still really didn't have a chance in a lot of people's eyes and that we were able to do it last year," said Beckerman. "It didn't really faze us. It's a good position to be an underdog, so hopefully they'll keep doubting us."

Realistically, Real Salt Lake had nobody but itself to blame for the lack of national respect heading into the playoffs. Even though the team made Rio Tinto Stadium a fortress this year, finishing with the best home mark in MLS, its 2-11-2 road record was by far the worst among the league's playoff teams.

With virtually no evidence to suggest RSL was capable of winning on the road, it's easy to see why national media was all picking Columbus to advance out of the first round.

Heading into the Eastern Conference final next weekend against either Chicago or New England, Real Salt Lake figures to be an underdog once again. Perhaps it shouldn't be after knocking off the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs and the defending MLS Cup champs.

Kreis has seen enough improvement in his team this season to believe it can beat anyone right now.

"Maybe a team improves, maybe over a course of a season when facing a lot of disappointing situations, at some point it clicks in their mind all the little things they have to do to win," said Kreis.

Things definitely clicked Thursday after Real Salt Lake spotted Columbus a pair of goals. After that, RSL scored three straight to earn its first road victory in franchise history by overcoming a two-goal deficit.

Who's next for RSL?

Real Salt Lake's conference final opponent will be determined tonight when New England travels to Chicago at 6:30 p.m. (MT), a match that will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel.

New England leads the total-goals series 2-1 after winning Game 1 last weekend.

Regardless of who wins, RSL will be on the road in the conference final.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com