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Real Salt Lake battles to 0-0 tie with Sounders

Sep 10, 2010 - 6:18 AM SEATTLE (AP) -- Kyle Reynish, who has played just one game in goal this season for Real Salt Lake, stepped in for Nick Rimando on Thursday night, and Kasey Keller, his counterpart, saved a first-half penalty kick as Real and Seattle played to a 0-0 tie.

Rimando, who helped Salt Lake (12-4-8) win the MLS Cup at Seattle's Qwest Field last November, tweaked his Achilles' tendon during practice on Wednesday and was held out as a precautionary measure by coach Jason Kreis. Reynish made just two saves.

Salt Lake had its fourth straight shutout and has not allowed a goal in 452 minutes.

Reynish's only previous game was Aug. 11 in Philadelphia, when he helped RSL gain a 1-1 tie against the Union. Otherwise, Rimando has played every minute for Salt Lake, posting a league-leading 11 shutouts and the second-lowest goals-against average of 0.68.

"I have a ton of respect for Nicky - he's one of the top keepers in the league," Reynish said. "But the guys (in front of me) were great tonight compared to the Philadelphia game a few weeks ago. It was much less for me to do."

One of those defenders in front of Reynish was rookie Chris Schuler, who was playing his first MLS game and went all 90 minutes.

"Obviously, (Seattle striker) Nate Jaqua is a handful on all of those balls in the air, and I thought he gave Jaqua a tough time out there," Reynish said.

Added Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis, "Kyle and Chris were phenomenal. Both of them were right where they needed to be to make big plays for us tonight."

Keller kept the Sounders (9-9-6) in the tie in the 32nd minute when he stopped Robbie Findley's penalty kick. Findley had been tripped by Seattle defender Jeff Parke in the left side of the box, and referee Paul Ward immediately pointed to the spot. It was the fourth PK Keller has faced this year - and second in the last three games - but was his first stop.

"I mean, penalty saves are penalty saves - you just hope you go the right way," Keller said. "It was great to be able to come up with that save at that time. You hope he puts it somewhere where you can save it, and today, (Findley) did that, which was nice."

Seattle moved back into sole possession of fifth place in the Western Conference and into seventh place in the overall playoff picture, one point ahead of San Jose. But Sounders coach Sigi Schmid didn't like having to settle for just the one point at home.

"I think we battled and we fought, but I don't think we played great soccer tonight. So it was a little disappointing in that regard because I know we have more in us," Schmid said. "For whatever reason, all of our passing was disjointed, and we didn't click in that regard.

Thursday's draw helped Salt Lake climb into a tie with Columbus and Los Angeles for the best point total in MLS with 44. Salt Lake has played one more game (24) than the Crew or Galaxy.

"If we'd scored the goal, it would have been nice to get the win and been in first place alone for a few days at least," Kreis said. "But I can look past that. The attention to details and the commitment level they showed tonight was second to none."

Real Salt Lake extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (3-0-4) and is 11-1-7 in is last 19, the only loss during that stretch a 2-0 decision at FC Dallas on July 17. This was the 10th shutout in those 19 games.