With the MLS All-Star game on tap a week from today, Real Salt Lake fans are about to get a glimpse at many of the players who will take on English Premier League club Chelsea in that highly anticipated match in Chicago.
Seven of the 18 MLS All-Stars this year hail from D.C. United, and for good reason: The four-time MLS Cup champs have scored a goal in every game this year and own a 13-1-6 record. They're in the midst of an unbelievable 14-game unbeaten streak, four shy of the MLS record of 18 held by Columbus.
Real Salt Lake is the last team before the All-Star break with an opportunity to knock D.C. off its lofty perch as the teams square off at 7 tonight at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"D.C. United makes all the right decisions," said Ellinger. "When guys go forward, guys cover. They're very comfortable with themselves individually and as a team."
With seven All-Stars, including teen phenom Freddy Adu, unsung defensive midfielder Brian Carroll and veteran striker Jaime Moreno, the man chasing Jason Kreis for the all-time MLS goal-scoring crown, it's easy to see why D.C. is such a confident bunch.
At the opposite end of the soccer spectrum is Real Salt Lake. Not only does RSL own the worst record in MLS, it only has one All-Star in Eddie Pope, and the team's desperate attempt to climb back into the playoff picture has been thwarted by a pair of stoppage-time goals in its past two games.
A simple look at the standings and the 28-point differential between the teams, and a Real victory seems impossible. However, despite its underachievement, RSL has proven all year it can compete with anyone in the league. Of its 10 losses, eight have been by one goal, and Salt Lake's goal differential on the season is only minus 5.
Ellinger is counting on his veterans to help turn those near misses into positives.
"We have to do a better job of our veterans players stepping up and helping us find ways to win MLS games, which is one of the reasons we tried to bring in some of them," said Ellinger, who added that he'd like to see those veterans do a better job of raising the soccer IQ of his youngsters.
The average age of Real's starting backline tonight could be one of the youngest in MLS history. It will definitely have rookie Willis Forko on the left and second-year player Kevin Novak on the right. In the middle, Pope is highly unlikely with a foot contusion, and 17-year-old Nikolas Besagno is preparing to start in his place. At the other center back position, Ellinger was very disappointed in Douglas Sequeira's performance in Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Chivas, and he's tempted to start newcomer Jack Stewart in his place — another second-year player.
Stewart was acquired from Chicago in a trade on Tuesday, and four days later he's poised to crack the starting lineup.
"Things in Chicago weren't going in my direction for whatever reason, but I'm just glad to get here and make a fresh start," said the 23-year-old Stewart. "(I'm) coming here expected to help out, and that's a good feeling as a professional. You want to be on a team where you can help."
His presence could be a welcome addition against D.C. United. In the playoffs last year, Stewart scored on a set piece against D.C. to help the Chicago Fire advance to the Eastern Conference championship.
RSL on the air
D.C. United at Real Salt Lake
Tonight at 7
Rice-Eccles Stadium
TV: None
Radio: 700 AM; 1600 AM
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com