BYU NewsNet - "Ugly" Win Necessary for RSL

Real Salt Lake ended a three-game home stand with a bang Saturday, defeating conference co-leader FC Dallas, 2-1, to spice up the Western Conference standings.

Despite numerous mistakes throughout the game, Real jumped out to an early lead, as midfielder Javier Morales scored his first MLS goal of 2008 during the 27th minute, an unassisted rocket past Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala.

"That's probably one of the worst games we've played this season, in my opinion," coach Jason Kreis said. "And maybe that's a good thing because maybe we need to learn how to win ugly, and tonight was that case."

With the win, RSL is now tied for third place in the West with David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy, who narrowly tied RSL 2-2 last week off of one of Beckham's signature free kicks. FC Dallas maintains the top of the leaderboard, but will share the honor with RSL's Rocky Mountain Cup rival, Colorado Rapids, for at least a week.

RSL looked different in the night game against FC Dallas, thanks in part to a new formation pattern Kreis said was part of his "tactical strategy" to line up better with the tough Dallas midfield.

But minutes into the match, it became evident that FC Dallas wasn't playing the same brand of soccer they have become famous for in their previous three-game scoring drought.

"They came out in a different shape than we planned," Kreis said. "Thus, the first substitution was purely tactical."

The sub was team veteran Andy Williams, who replaced Jamison Olave in the 40th minute to balance RSL's attacking midfield position.

RSL managed to hold on to the lead heading into the locker room at halftime, but just a few minutes into "round two," Dallas forward Kenny Cooper nudged a pass from midfielder Andre Rocha through the pipes in the 56th minute. Real goalkeeper Nick Rimando dove for the ball, but it slipped through his hands, and the game was tied, 1-1, with most of the second half to play.

"Andre Rocha put a great ball through, and that's the second time he's done it this year," Cooper said. "It was no surprise. He's been giving me great service, and Andre's obviously been a great addition to this squad. Early in the season, he's made a great impact on our team."

Williams' presence on the field paid off in the 73rd minute, when he lobbed a ball over the heads of two Dallas defenders to captain and midfielder Kyle Beckerman's golden toe. Beckerman used a quick tap to shove the ball past Salas and RSL took the lead for good, 2-1.

"It was a decent little spurt of possession and Andy (Williams), that's what he does," Beckerman said. "He can make that final pass for anybody and I knew it was coming. I made the run and he put it on a plate for me. Luckily, I put it in."

Real Salt Lake will enjoy a short week of practice, as they head off to Denver for the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup Thursday. FC Dallas will return home for a match against the Galaxy next Sunday, before playing host to RSL May 24.