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Real Salt Lake-Crew Preview

Jul 17, 2009 - 8:36 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Real Salt Lake (5-6-5) at Columbus (5-3-9), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Only one point separates the top four teams in the Eastern Conference, and the Columbus Crew's mounting absences are putting them at a major disadvantage.

The defending MLS Cup champion Crew may have to withstand an injury to reigning league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto on Saturday night when they host surging Real Salt Lake.

Schelotto, who leads MLS with 10 goals, is listed as questionable after suffering a left hamstring strain in last Saturday's scoreless tie at Chicago. An MRI showed no tear to his muscle.

"He means so much to us," midfielder Eddie Gaven told the Crew's official Web site. "He's not only scored 10 goals but he seems to score at such key times in games. It's definitely going to be tough if he's not there."

If Schelotto is unable to play, the Crew (5-3-9) will be without four key starters against Salt Lake (5-6-5). Defender Chad Marshall and midfielder Robbie Rogers are with the U.S. national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, while midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Forward Alejandro Moreno, though, is expected to be available after a groin injury sidelined him against the Fire. He has only managed three goals after netting a career-high nine last year.

Columbus is tied with D.C. for third in the East, one point back of co-leaders Chicago and Toronto.

William Hesmer has played a part in keeping the short-handed Crew in the thick of the race, going 1-0-2 after returning from knee and back injuries that ruled him out for nine games.

He was superb at Chicago, making a career-high 11 saves a week after having 10 stops in a 1-all tie against United.

"The past two weeks I've been a lot busier," said Hesmer, who has two shutouts. "That's why I'm back there. I'm back there to make the saves. I feel the more games I'm back from injury, I'm starting to feel sharper and sharper."

Hesmer wasn't very effective at Salt Lake on April 2, making four saves in a 4-1 loss.

Following a long layoff from league play, RSL is looking to extend its unbeaten streak to a team-record six games.

Salt Lake received an own goal in injury time to salvage a 1-all tie against San Jose on July 3, improving to 2-0-3 in its last five. The club stepped out of league play last Saturday, beating Mexico's Club America 1-0 on a goal by Javier Morales.

"I really think we can play with a lot more confidence now," defender Nat Borchers said. "We outclassed a team that everyone expected to outclass us. So we definitely can bring some confidence from this game into the away games."

Salt Lake will be without forward Fabian Espindola, who is suspended for earning a red card against the Earthquakes. Espindola, who has one goal and one assist in nine games, was ejected for retaliating against Brandon McDonald after he was tackled hard.

"These decisions are costing us points," coach Jason Kreis said. "These are personal decisions. They're putting themselves before the team, and it's costing the team."