SALT LAKE CITY -- Getting results from three games in 10 days can be a tall order for any team. Throw in the fact that each match took place in a different time zone, at a different altitude and on a different surface, and it could be seen as near impossible.
Two games in the New England Revolution looked up to the task, getting a 2-0 win at Houston and then a 1-1 draw at home to the New York Red Bulls.
But their visit to Salt Lake City just three days after the match with New York was a bit too much. The Revolution scored first but allowed a scrappy Real Salt Lake to claw their way back and hand New England a 2-1 loss. It was the Revs' first defeat since the beginning of May.
After such a long stretch of good results for the league's best team, it was hard to put a finger on one single cause for the letdown. Whether it was the long flight across two-thirds of the continent, the merciless Rice-Eccles surface, or playing at altitude in the Wasatch Mountains, the Revolution couldn't get into a rhythm and string together some possession.
"We were second tonight, to everything," said Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston. "We got outplayed tonight, so we can't make any excuses there. I wish it was that easy that we could pinpoint it and make some changes during the game. We couldn't pass the ball. Mentally, we were reacting late to everything."
One player not reacting late for the Revolution was Adam Cristman, who scored the Revolution's lone goal on the night. Cristman shared the same feelings that as a whole it wasn't his team's night, but he also saw some of the few bright spots.
"We had some moments at the end of the first half, where we were able to put Salt Lake under pressure," said Cristman. "That gave us the opportunity to attack them more from half-field rather than starting from the back."
That might have been the case later in the half, but Cristman's goal started from as far back as you can get -- goalkeeper Matt Reis. In the eighth minute Reis sent a long clearance downfield that took a huge artificial turf-induced bounce to reach the Salt Lake penalty area.
Cristman chased after the rocketing ball, racing past defender Nat Borchers and then not pulling up as RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando charged toward him. A moment of indecision between the two RSL defenders allowed Cristman to get up and flick the ball over Rimando and into the open net.
"A lot of guys would have given up on it and he made it," said Ralston. "He was always working and stuck his head in there when it could have gotten whacked but he ended up scoring this goal."
It was an opportunistic finish for Cristman. And as Ralston points out, it came at a valuable time for the Revs.
"It was good because we were getting hammered pretty good," said Ralston. "I don't think we really had any touches in their half and we got that goal. It took a little of the pressure off at the moment so it was good."
But the Revolution lead lasted all of three minutes when Jay Heaps nodded a free kick Reis for an own goal. RSL's second goal came an hour into the match when Tino Nunez gathered a deflection in the penalty area and pounded it past Reis.
New England head coach Steve Nicol noted the game-winner was a goal that came as a product of the cement-like surface at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"It was a typical game that you get on this field," said Nicol. "I guess the goal that won the game sums it up, the ball hits their man on his backside and he scores. It kind of sums it up."
In addition to the surface, there are plenty of other reasons why Nicol is not bothered his team only has to make one trip to Utah this season.
"It doesn't help when you're at altitude and it's a lot warmer than you're used to ... we won't be sad to see the back of this place," he said.
The loss snapped a seven-game unbeaten streak, dating back to a May 3 Revolution loss at home to Chicago. The stretch of results helped to catapult New England to the top of the MLS overall table, and although the loss doesn't help that cause the Revs know they need to move past an off night and focus on their next outing.
"Being unbeaten for a stretch doesn't mean anything to the team, to the players," said Cristman. "It's good from a results standpoint, but it's not like we care about the stretch. We don't want to be losing games, that's for sure. We keep doing the same things we've been doing -- we've got a lot of games coming up. We've just got to take care of our bodies. We've got a nice long week of training ahead; we haven't had that in two weeks. It will be good to have some normal training, and get to do some of the extra stuff on the side, and go from there."
Russ doubtful for final stretch
Excitement guaranteed on final stretch
Dreary night for Revolution
