They’re off in Columbus as RSL looks to pick up some huge road points against the Crew. Tonight’s RSL starting lineup is as follows:

GK - Nick Rimando; DF - Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Robbie Russell; MF - Yura Movsisyan, Kyle Beckerman, Kenny Cutler, Javier Morales, Robbie Findley; FW - Kenny Deuchar

As you can see, they’re listed in a 4-5-1 with Kenny playing alone up-top. However, with both Robbie and Yura playing out wide, they could just as easily push up into a 4-3-3. It’ll be interesting to see how RSL plays this one offensively.

11th minute: Ten minutes in and it’s been Columbus that’s controlled the flow so far. They’ve yet to create any really dangerous chances, but they’ve had the majority of the possession. One thing to watch is the return of Jamison Olave, as he has already asserted himself physically and earned a caution from the official.

24th minute: Well the Crew finally created a dangerous chance… and they capitalized. After a foul just outside of the RSL penalty area, Guillermo Barros Schelotto fires a perfect ball far post and Chad Marshall nodded home for the 1-0 lead.

26th minute: Now it’s Schelotto’s turn as he doubles the Columbus lead. A defensive break down in the area and Borchers takes down the Crew attacker, only to see the official point to the spot. The Argentine playmaker, Schelotto steps up and coolly slots home past Rimando for the 2-0 Crew lead. RSL needs to turn things around very quickly if it wants to earn some points here.

40th minute: Real’s looked considerably better the last 15 minutes looking fairly dangerous on occasion. At this point however it’s goals, not chances, that we need to see from RSL and, so far, those goals haven’t come. Let’s see if they can capture some momentum and close the first half on a high note.

Halftime: And they nearly did it. RSL pushed forward to close the half and nearly got one back when Findley made a great run into the right side of the Crew box. Robbie’s cross ricocheted to Deuchar, who laid off for an onrushing Kenny Cutler and the RSL original’s one-touch shot missed the lower left corner by mere inches. If the boys in white can come out in the second like they ended the first, anything could happen…

52nd minute: RSL has been pushing hard to start the second stanza. Andy Williams, who came on at the break for Deuchar, made his presence felt immediately, finding a leaping Movsisyan at the top of the six, only for Yura strike to go inches wide. Columbus has had its chances as well, but they’ve yet to test the Real goal in the second half.

57th minute: And Columbus seemingly puts this one away. Eddie Gaven makes a streaking run down the right flank and his ball across the box finds Brad Evans, who snuck between a pair of RSL defenders, to easily nod home past Rimando.

63th minute: In an effort to spice up this RSL attack, Head Coach Jason Kreis makes his second substitution of the match, replacing Movsisyan with Argentine striker Fabian Espindola.

73rd minute: Things just aren’t happening for RSL tonight. In the last few minutes a pair of Bomma strikes go begging. Kreis just made his final move, inserting Clint Mathis in favor of Kenny Cutler in the midfield.

End of Match: We’ve come to the end of a tough, tough match for RSL and its fans. Everything just seemed a bit off tonight, from the offense, through the midfield, and to the defense. There’s no time to dwell however, as it’s a short week for Real, with the second matchup of the season against their Rocky Mountain rivals the Colorado Rapids. They’ll look to turn it around on Friday night at Rice-Eccles. We’re out for the night, but we’ll be back tomorrow with some updates from the squad.