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Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis pleased with draw against FC Dallas
The coach points to positives despite the team's continued scoring drought.
May 22, 2011 11:48:00 PM
By Tyler G. Page
Getty Images
Faced with a tough challenge in Dallas, Real Salt Lake was pleased to leave Pizza Hut Park with a scoreless draw Sunday.
“We've had a tough time in Dallas ever trying to get any kind of result,” coach Jason Kreis said on ESPN 700. “I think this is a positive first step... and hopefully the next time we're here, we'll get all three.”
Mother Nature made her mark on the match with heavy rain and a 1 hour and 52 minute lightning delay. As a result, the match contained only a few opportunities for either team to score.
“For me the game was a bit dull, mostly due to weather,” Kreis said. “Our guys battled through it, but I don't think it was the prettiest night of soccer for either team.”
The result was not due to lack of effort. Both sides played very hard, but the final touch just wasn't there for either side.
“[I liked] the battling spirit,” Kreis said. “The guys responded well and made the plays that we needed to.”
Salt Lake has scored only one goal in its previous five matches. For a side that led Major League Soccer in goals scored last season, the drought represents a serious crisis of confidence up top.
Kreis said the scoring drought concerns him and that he will look at all options in attempting to address it.
“I think we have to consider everything,” Kreis said. “We may go back here in a week or two and say we need to shift the shape.”
Whatever the solution, Salt Lake's defense is keeping it in matches. The side has only allowed two goals this season. Nick Rimando made three saves Sunday, and that was enough to preserve the clean sheet.
Read more from Tyler G. Page at www.realsoccernation.com for information on all things Real Salt Lake.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
“We've had a tough time in Dallas ever trying to get any kind of result,” coach Jason Kreis said on ESPN 700. “I think this is a positive first step... and hopefully the next time we're here, we'll get all three.”
Mother Nature made her mark on the match with heavy rain and a 1 hour and 52 minute lightning delay. As a result, the match contained only a few opportunities for either team to score.
“For me the game was a bit dull, mostly due to weather,” Kreis said. “Our guys battled through it, but I don't think it was the prettiest night of soccer for either team.”
The result was not due to lack of effort. Both sides played very hard, but the final touch just wasn't there for either side.
“[I liked] the battling spirit,” Kreis said. “The guys responded well and made the plays that we needed to.”
Salt Lake has scored only one goal in its previous five matches. For a side that led Major League Soccer in goals scored last season, the drought represents a serious crisis of confidence up top.
Kreis said the scoring drought concerns him and that he will look at all options in attempting to address it.
“I think we have to consider everything,” Kreis said. “We may go back here in a week or two and say we need to shift the shape.”
Whatever the solution, Salt Lake's defense is keeping it in matches. The side has only allowed two goals this season. Nick Rimando made three saves Sunday, and that was enough to preserve the clean sheet.
Read more from Tyler G. Page at www.realsoccernation.com for information on all things Real Salt Lake.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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