RSL is done for 2011, now Jason Kreis faces the tough task of protecting 11 players. (Getty Images)

Expectations were high going into 2011 for Real Salt Lake. The club was closing in on a historic CONCACAF Champions League win and everyone in the league was supporting their efforts. But injuries, suspensions and the gutting loss in the CCL final to Monterrey changed the course of the season for RSL.

During Wednesday's post-game press-conference, a reporter asked Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid about the taste that game left in his mouth. While far from dismissive of the question, Schmid corrected the reporter a little.

"I don't know if it's in our mouths," he said. "It's definitely a very empty, hallow feeling in our stomachs at this stage.

Real Salt Lake carried a three goal lead into the second leg against the Seattle Sounders and they would need the whole thing before the end of the night. Seattle attacked from the first whistle and kept pressure on RSL until the final whistle. The home team controlled the game and almost all of the possession but were held back by some early injuries.

Sound off: The Seattle Sounders succumbed to Real Salt Lake Wednesday (AP Photo).

That would be 2009 MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake, should the Galaxy see off the New York Red Bulls Thursday at Home Depot Center.

Despite failing to score in the first half, the Sounders made a game of it in the second 45 minute stint, but fell short and lost to Real Salt Lake 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinal.

No Olave, No BorchersReal Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders squared off in what had to be one of the more exciting playoff matches in recent years. Those on the east coast who stayed up and those on around the country who watched bore witness to a near astounding comeback by Seattle that fell just short of triumphant.

The much awaited results of Mauro Rosales' MRI were reported on Tuesday and they aren't so great. Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid called Rosales' availability for Saturday's MLS Cup playoff game at Real Salt Lake "iffy" and didn't exactly sound optimistic that Rosales would even be ready for the return leg next Wednesday.

By DAVID GUBALA

A match-up featuring two of the top teams in MLS turned into a card-filled mess that finished with each team playing with ten men and visiting Real Salt Lake walking away from CenturyLink Field with a vital three points.

RSL halted Seattle's eight-match unbeaten streak as Alvaro Saborio delivered a game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory on Saturday.

There was a lot not to like about the game Saturday afternoon. Not just because of the loss to a Western Conference rival, but because there were opportunities for much more than happened. Real Salt Lake takes that win and now has a better chance at the Supporters Shield than the Seattle Sounders, and even moves into 2nd by PPM, although barely.

BY JONATHAN VERA

CARSON, Calif. – Chivas USA had their first home game in a month, and faced an opponent that went a man down after a first-half red card, but the Goats couldn't capitalize on the advantage as a crucial defensive error and inept offense kept Chivas USA from gaining ground in the playoff race.

photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Chivas USA has finally announced the acquisition of Juan Pablo Angel, and his arrival looks to have come at a cheap price.

Having acquired Angel via a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA only gave up a third round natural 2012 Supplemental Draft pick in exchange.

Sporting KC extended their team record unbeaten run to 14 games last night as for once KC came out of the gates fast and took the game to Real Salt Lake immediately. Directly from the kickoff KC was attacking and almost found net as Michael Harrington played a great cross in to Omar Bravo who headed wide of the goal.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Real Salt Lake is back to its winning ways after it ousted a red-hot FC Dallas 2-0 on Saturday thanks to second-half strikes from Andy Williams and Fabian Espindola.

The deadlock was broken almost immediately after halftime when Kevin Hartman couldn't hold onto an Andy Williams free kick when the keeper got behind the ball but couldn't hold onto it as it trickled across the line to earn the hosts a 1-0 lead.

For Union, attention to detail means wins | Philadelphia Daily News | 06/10/2011
Hey, it's not a issue for us, either. While blogs have done a superb job of running with it, the mainstream media have kept it quiet. In fact, only two credentialed reporters waited to shed light on the situation Wednesday, only after the fan-driven blog, the Brotherly Game, first reported it Sunday.

If you aren't familiar with how right fullback Tony Beltran plays, think Sheanon Williams. The Real Salt Lake defender took some time to talk to the Philly Soccer Page after Wednesday night's tough 2–1 road loss to Columbus Crew. You'll get a chance to see the UCLA product—Kyle Nakazawa played with him there—when the Union hosts RSL on Saturday at PPL Park.

If you aren't familiar with how right fullback Tony Beltran plays, think Sheanon Williams. The Real Salt Lake defender took some time to talk to the Philly Soccer Page after Wednesday night's tough 2–1 road loss to Columbus Crew. You'll get a chance to see the UCLA product—Kyle Nakazawa played with him there—when the Union hosts RSL on Saturday at PPL Park.

There were a lot of things working against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. Before the match even started, there was Real Salt Lake's roughly 350-minute shutout streak and their 29-match home unbeaten run. Shortly after starting, the Sounders lost Alvaro Fernandez to a muscle strain. The weather, once again, turned bad.

STARTERS
Who is going to the USA game against Argentina in New Jersey on Mar 26? I will be there.
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE
A really ugly game last night in Columbus on a frozen field and small crowd. It seemed like every shot was a mile from goal.

Last night was the unofficial start to the MLS season, as Real Salt Lake and Columbus faced off in their first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal. In a night that was below freezing and in front of a sparse crowd, the two teams grinded out a 0-0 draw that was defined by the referee as well as missed chances by Columbus.

Tuesday night marked the return of the CONCACAF Champions League, with the Columbus Crew - Real Salt Lake tie being the focus of Major League Soccer fans. Ending in a 0-0 draw, it wasn't the most exciting match, but considering that this was the first competitive match either side has played in months, it could of been much worse.

The all-Major League Soccer CONCACAF Champions League final will be decided at Rio Tinto Stadium after Columbus and Real Salt Lake ended scoreless in the opening leg of the two-game series. Whatever advantage RSL had with the healthier roster evaporated in the 52nd minute when they were reduced to 10-men after Tony Beltran was red carded.