Real Salt Lake notebook: Given opportunity, Russell seizes right-back position

SEATTLE — Fortunes can change quickly in soccer, and there's no better example of that than at right back for Real Salt Lake.

Tony Beltran was the man at right back for most of the second half of the season, but in the playoffs, Robbie Russell has played the majority of the minutes. It speaks to the unpredictability of injuries.

Beltran went into the playoffs with a slight calf strain, but RSL's coaching staff still gave him the starting nod against Columbus in Game 1. The second-year player did well despite the injury, but with RSL needing a goal, RSL coach Jason Kreis replaced Beltran with Russell in the 79th minute.

Nothing has changed since.

Russell got the starting nod in Game 2 against Columbus and then again in the Eastern Conference final at Chicago. By all accounts, Russell will start again in this Sunday's MLS Cup.

"That's the way football goes, injuries hamper players. Tony did a great job getting us here, he played some great games right before we squeaked into the playoffs," said Russell. "You hate to see it happen, but I'm glad I got the chance."

Russell made a costly mistake against Columbus in Game 2 which led directly to a goal, but he's been gradually improving ever since and anxious for Sunday.

During the regular season, Russell proved himself to be a versatile veteran by playing in 19 games in three different positions.

GETTING ACCLIMATED: Real Salt Lake practiced for about 90 minutes on the wet turf at Qwest Field on Friday, focusing mostly on technical drills to prepare for the MLS Cup final.

"Today was really about getting our first touch about us, it's really easy for the ball to skip away from you if you don't have a good first touch," said Nat Borchers.

Fellow defender Russell said the fast turf impacts how RSL approaches the game.

"You can play (the ball) into space a little bit, but you have to bounce the ball a lot earlier. You can't land it on his foot in space, you gotta land it 20 feet earlier so it rolls. It will have to be more at people instead of leading them in places," said Russell.

DISGUISED CONSISTENTCY: Much has been made about Real Salt Lake's inconsistency this year, and Kyle Beckerman made light of that fact in a press conference following Friday's practice at Qwest Field.

"I think we were actually really consistent: We won at home and we lost on the road," he said.

RSL finished the regular season with a 9-1-5 home record — best in MLS — and a 2-11-2 road record — worst among playoff teams.

A BUZZ IN SEATTLE: A crowd of more than 40,000 is expected for Sunday's MLS Cup final, and Beckerman expects the atmosphere to be just as exciting as during the Seattle Sounders' regular-season games.