There wasn't much hooting and hollering on the field or in the locker room in Columbus last week after Real Salt Lake knocked off the defending champs. There was a feeling of been there, done that from the players.

That will likely be the sentiment all week leading up to this Saturday's Eastern Conference final in Chicago. This is RSL's second straight conference final appearance, and the team feels much more prepared for the pressures and challenges associated with the next round of the playoffs.

"It's a great opportunity for us. It's one game now, one at a time. It's something special now, so hopefully we can take that next step and get into MLS Cup," said RSL captain Kyle Beckerman.

There seems to be a greater sense of appreciation from the players for the position they're in.

A year ago things happened so quickly for Real Salt Lake. After clinching a playoff berth on the final day of the season, two weeks later it hosted the Western Conference final following New York's stunning upset of the Houston Dynamo. At times it all seemed too easy.

Even in losing to New York in the conference final things appeared to come too easy as RSL dominated the match and was unlucky not to score three or four goals in the 1-0 loss.

Things are different now. Not much has gone easy for RSL this season, but it appears to have strengthened the team mentally in the final months.

"I think our maturity level's a bit higher now. Last year and the beginning of this year we talked about game management and how we couldn't come back from being down a goal especially on the road," said Nat Borchers.

After overcoming that road hurdle against the Crew, RSL believes it's more prepared for another road challenge against Chicago.

"We're going to have to learn because there's two more games left and they're both on the road so this is a step in the right direction. If we can go into Chicago with the same confidence and same heart I think it will be a battle to the end," said Nick Rimando.

Real Salt Lake hopes it's a battle to the end, but there's still doubt about its road credentials. Does one road win in the playoffs make up for a 2-11-2 road record in the playoffs? General manager Garth Lagerwey believes it does.

"At the end of the day do you know how you dispel that you can't win on the road? You go win one or two playoff games on the road. No one will talk about your road record anymore. We have the ability right now in the playoffs to put that reputation behind us," said Lagerwey.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com