Real Salt Lake: Jason Kreis will push team during break

Sandy • The last time Real Salt Lake had a week off, Jason Kreis and the coaching staff were "very easy on the guys."

The players won't have that same luck this time around. Following the last FIFA International break, RSL lost 2-0 at Seattle on Sept. 13, so Kreis said he didn't want to make the same mistake twice. Despite not having a game until Oct. 19 at Portland, Ore., the players training in Utah will go through a rigorous week of work in Sandy.

There will be a two-a-day Wednesday with a practice at 11 a.m. and a second at 3 p.m.

"This time we're going to take the opposite approach. We're going to work hard," Kreis said. "We're going to take this break and look at it as an opportunity for us to really to kind of refuel the tanks, up the fitness level of our group and see if that can mean something going into the playoffs."

RSL is 1-3-1 in the last five matches across all competitions since the last break.

"Hopefully that's going to put us in a really hungry and real fit place come the last few games of the regular season and until the playoffs," Kreis said.

Date with the couch

If the Colorado Rapids beat or tie San Jose Wednesday night, it will automatically clinch a playoff berth for Real Salt Lake. But Kreis said he'd rather his own team punch its own ticket to the MLS Cup playoffs.

"Yeah, I'll watch," Kreis said. "Ultimately, I think we've got to be able to handle our own business and not have to rely on somebody else to do something for us to get in."

RSL missed out on its own opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a win over FC Dallas on Saturday in Sandy, a match in which 10-man RSL drew 1-1.

"I don't know if we want them to win or not, you know?" said defender Chris Wingert. "In that case, I think of course, the first priority is to make the playoffs, but we really want to finish in the top three. I'll be watching because I'm interested, but at the same time, I don't know what I'll be rooting for. I think a tie will be best."

Morales injured

Midfielder Javier Morales walked off the training field Tuesday gingerly after suffering what was concluded to be a left ankle sprain. Morales is expected to be further evaluated Wednesday.