RSL feeling loose heading into MLS Cup

Players pushing nerves aside during final preparations before Sunday's tilt

The weight of the moment left RSL coach Jason Kreis wondering earlier this week whether his players would be able to approach the game without the nerves normally associated with such a big occasion. After casting his eye over his squad for the past two days, Kreis declared that his side has pushed those fears to the side until the match started.

"My concern and my worry the whole week was that we were going to be very uptight and we wouldn't be able to calm down," Kreis said. "I thought to myself to plan yesterday's training session to make that happen. What I saw from minute one was a group of guys that was very loose. I think that worry's past us. We'll see tomorrow. The first 15 minutes will be the best tale of that."

No matter how many jokes RSL shared during the buildup, the game creates another separate and distinct hurdle because of the scrutiny it brings. Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams said the focus on this contest will be even more intense considering the glamorous opponent on the other side of the park.

"It's a final," Williams said. "Even if they weren't here, it'd be a pretty big game. With them in it, it's magnified a little bit. We're glad we're here and hopefully, we can pull off an upset."

Although Los Angeles enters the match as the favorite and as the center of attention with David Beckham and Landon Donovan leading the Galaxy into the tilt, RSL has prepared with the expectation that it will leave Qwest Field with the Philip F. Anschutz trophy in tow. Laying the groundwork for victory involves figuring out how best to cope with Beckham and Donovan and identifying the strengths and the weakness of other Galaxy players. Those preparations have shown that the Galaxy, like RSL, boasts plenty of threats that make Sunday night a difficult task.

"We've looked at tape," RSL forward Robbie Findley said. "We know how they play. They have good players all around the field. We have to keep an eye on them."

Many have kept an eye on the two spots seemingly available in Kreis' lineup for the showcase match. Tony Beltran and Robbie Russell will vie for the right back role, while Fabian Espindola and Yura Movsisyan are in the frame to partner Findley. Russell and Movsisyan are the likely favorites to start, but Kreis wouldn't be drawn on who he will select. Instead, Kreis said a series of factors including confidence and form would factor into his decision.

"We have to look at all of the considerations," Kreis said.

In the battle between Beltran and Russell, Russell is expected to earn the start based on current form and past experience. Although Beltran started at right back for the majority of the season, Russell stepped in seamlessly when the second-leg defender picked up a quadriceps injury in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series win against Columbus. Beltran returned to fitness in time for the Eastern Conference final win over Chicago, but Russell kept his place in the side after Beltran reportedly struggled in training last week.

The selection poser up front isn't as clear, though Espindola's recent struggles with a hip flexor injury may ensure Movsisyan's second consecutive start. The Argentinean forward settled for a place on the bench in Chicago after starting the previous match in Columbus and didn't aid his claims for a recall by missing two training sessions earlier this week. Kreis said Espindola is "100 percent" after Saturday's training session and suggested those concerns have passed.

"We had some worries earlier in the week and he's progressed," Kreis said. "He didn't train the first two days of the week, but since we've been here, he's trained in full and looked very good."

RSL spent the past two days training at Qwest Field in an attempt to get a feel for the artificial surface. Kreis said the light rain and the resulting slick patch of turf during the training sessions has prepared his side if the expected showers descend on Seattle on Sunday.

"If anything, it's going to make the turf a little bit faster," Kreis said. "It's already a very fast surface. If it gets any faster, it's going to be a difficult day. I think being out here for the past two days has been very good for us from that point of view."

The selection questions and the impending weather concerns aren't the primary concern for RSL at this juncture. From now until the final whistle, all of the focus and the energy will funnel toward defeating Los Angeles and ensuring this rare opportunity to win MLS Cup doesn't go to waste.

"It's a special thing to be able to achieve if you can do it," RSL defender Nat Borchers said.

Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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