Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - Real Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando allowed one of the worst goals of his career last week in a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA, and the All-Star said after the match it was important to "pick each other up."
Rimando also said "a point's a point," but the defending Major League Soccer Cup champions let two points slip away when Jesus Padilla's shot slipped between his legs for an easy goal.
Real Salt Lake (9-4-4), which trails the Los Angeles Galaxy by nine points in the Western Conference, cannot afford to let any more points slip away when it hosts D.C. United (3-11-3) on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
"We pick each other up, we don't need to panic at all," Rimando said. "We're still moving up so next week we'll look to get three points against D.C."
Rimando made the mistake one week after Real's 10-game unbeaten run ended in a 2-0 loss to FC Dallas, and now the Utah squad is trying to avoid a three-match winless streak.
Despite settling for the point, Real got stronger last weekend when midfielder Kyle Beckerman returned from a two-month injury absence. He should be in the lineup against D.C., as Real tries to extend its season-long, home unbeaten streak to 10 games.
Coach Jason Kreis has guided Real to six wins and three draws at home and with more results at home, the club will easily return to the postseason. Kreis was positive about last week's result as well, and knows the team will focus just on D.C. this week.
"I'm not disappointed with the results; I thought we did everything necessary to get a win," Kreis said. "I'm very pleased with the guys' effort, energy, mentality - everything they did to the best of their abilities - and I can't ask for anything more."
D.C. arrives on a five-game winless streak, which includes two straight losses to Seattle Sounders FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy. United hopes the additions of Pablo Hernandez and Branko Boskovic can spark a second-half surge, but it might be impossible to overcome the worst first-half in the league.
United did earn a 0-0 tie at RFK Stadium against Real earlier this season, but is just 1-5-2 on the road. Coach Curt Onalfo, in his first season with United, remains positive, but the Columbus Crew are already 22 points away in first in the Eastern Conference.
"We know we have a job to do, and we are committed to that task. Our focus has been the same all year - no matter what we face, our guys will be prepared and are ready to fight," Onalfo said on the club's website.