Real Salt Lake: Midfield will be key against L.A.

SEATTLE — Real Salt Lake's midfield has been playing extremely well lately, and it will likely be the key again today against the L.A. Galaxy.

RSL's quartet of Kyle Beckerman, Will Johnson, Andy Williams and Javier Morales can take over a game when they're connecting passes around the midfield.

That wasn't always the case, particularly when the team was utilizing a 4-3-3 formation, but the team has come into its own in the last couple of months.

"The happy place was found when we went back to the 4-4-2 and everyone embraced their roles, and Kyle Beckerman, maybe first and foremost among all of our players, aside from being our captain, has really embraced that holding (midfield) role in front of the back four. And I think he's been absolutely magnificent in the playoffs and down the stretch for us," said RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey.

Combined with Johnson, Lagerwey said the pair must absolutely work their tails off covering ground in the midfield. He also reiterated that Williams must be a two-way player up the right side of the field.

Beckerman said it's all about which midfield imposes its will. RSL plays out of a diamond formation, whereas the Galaxy prefer a flat four.

"Main thing, when we get our passing going the diamond seems to work and open up teams," said Beckerman. "So that's what we're really going to try and do, really connect some passes in the midfield, get everybody touches on it, get them moving around, trying to chase the ball, and as soon as we get them chasing, try and get in behind them and get it to our forwards' feet."

It sounds easy enough, but Landon Donovan reiterated in Friday's press conference that the Galaxy have no intention of simply playing into RSL's midfield trap.

THE RUNNING MAN: Johnson continues to impress even his own teammates with his work rate.

"Will probably runs enough for three games in one," said Beckerman.

"The guys is everywhere. I've never seen a player work so hard in the games. He absolutely gets everything out of his ability, and especially for someone so young to have the mental fortitude that he has is just mind boggling really," said defender Chris Wingert.

In reflecting on last weekend's Eastern Conference final victory over Chicago, even Lagerwey couldn't believe Johnson's work rate.

"There's simply no other human being on Earth that runs more than Will. Go back and watch the last 15 minutes of the overtime against Chicago, he's literally the only player on the field that is still sprinting back and forth," said Lagerwey.