Who knew that zero could weigh so much?
Real Salt Lake is carrying an increasingly heavy zero on its back right now–the zero in its win column.
Real Salt Lake suffered its third loss of the season Sunday in Dallas, Texas, at the tune of 2-1. The loss came at the hands of the Western Conference-leading FC Dallas Hoops, who took over first place in the standings with the victory in Pizza Hut Park.
Last season, Dave Checketts’ team played seven games before posting its first victory. The year before, RSL had to wait six games before collecting its first win.
This year, seven games have come and gone and the questions–and losses–still abound. Seven games into the season and RSL is still searching for its win.
Jason Kreis, the man Checketts recently put in charge of his soccer club, experienced his first loss as coach against the team he played for before putting in time as a player for Real Salt Lake. But there was still a silver lining in the loss.
Midfielder Freddy Adu broke out of his scoring slump with a successful penalty kick in the 68th minute to even the score at 1-1. The goal was Adu’s first with his new club.
But the Western Conference bottom-dwellers could not hang on as the Hoops’ Chris Gbandi fired the game-winning shot in the 82nd minute, zipping the ball into the net and nicking the post on the way in.
FC Dallas overcame a staunch disadvantage in corner kicks to notch the win. RSL nearly scored first in the 17th minute on one of its 10 corner tries, when Jack Stewart’s header attempt from Adu’s entry went wide left.
Arturo Alvarez gave the Hoops the lead in the 26th minute, capitalizing on a feed from Pablo Ricchetti.
RSL keeper Nick Romando kept hope alive for his mates with fantastic saves, but the lack of offense by his club could not give him the needed aid.
FC Dallas captain Carlos Ruiz earned a one-game suspension with his 5th yellow card this season in the 73rd minute.
The Hoops (5-3-1) will miss him next Saturday when they take on Chivas USA.
RSL (0-3-4) will look to keep its opening-season winless streak at seven games next Sunday at Chicago. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. and can be seen on TeleFutura.