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SANDY -- Missing a few players from their roster due to international duty, Real Salt Lake lost to the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Despite the loss, RSL came off of their 269-minute scoreless streak in the 88th minute when midfielder Nelson Gonzalez put in a goal after entering the game in the 76th minute.
"The positive is we did come back," said defender Nat Borchers. "We showed fight, we showed that we're not a team that gives up and that's how we've always been, and that's how we're going to continue to be the rest of the season."
Prior to Saturday's game, Gonzalez had not started a game and had only been subbed in once this season. Head Coach Jason Kreis hinted that Gonzalez might be seeing more action now after his performance against Seattle.
"Certainly if Nelson comes into the game like that, down a man, and was as bright as he was and scores a goal, it's going to be hard to leave him off the line-up next week," stated Kreis.
RSL had to play down one man for just over 30 minutes due to a red card on defender Jamison Olave in the 57th minute. Kreis wasn't happy with the red card, but was pleased with the performance of his roster playing down a man.
"All in all, it's one of those times as a coach that I'm happy with the fight and the spirit, but very disappointed with the result, but very happy with the way the guys went about that game," said Kreis.
The loss to Seattle also took away RSL's home field winning streak. In league games, RSL hadn't lost a match at home for two years.
"All good things must come to an end, I guess," said Kreis. "Really not sure quite how to feel about it right now as I digest it. I'm so focused on all of the small things going on with our team lately that I'm in some strange way pleased with a lot of the play, with fight of the guys, with the mindset to keep going at things and never quit and at the end of the day we create enough chances to draw being a man down for 30 minutes."
RSL will be without three players due to international duty starting next week. Midfielder Will Johnson will join forward Alvaro Saborio and midfielder/forward Arturo Alvarez, who were already on international duty beginning earlier this week.
RSL will remain home next week as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday June 4 at 7:00 p.m.
