Real Salt Lake still in first-live vs. Fire
July 19, 2008 by f4denz.
Despite the last minute attempts, Landycakes shot as the clock expired went off the goal post and that means that with 23 points the Galaxy will not retake first place, and if Colorado can beat Dallas they also would have 23 points pulling them even with RSL and LA. A result tonight would secure first place for RSL heading into the All Star break, and in Chicago a result is possible, so it will be an exciting night.
Prematch
Once again Nunez and Movsisyan will start up front, with Morales, Beckerman, Williams, and Kovalenko in the midfield and the back line will feature Joy, Olave, Borchers, and Wingert in front of Nick Rimando. This is similar to the lineup that proved to be too much for Columbus, and should provide a look that Chicago hasn’t seen before from RSL. Nice to see Bill and Dunny working the match tonight, they are a fun team to listen to.
0-10 minutes
It looks like a good crowd at Toyota park, and once again Jason is up in the box serving the second game of his suspension for dissent, despite US Soccer agreeing with the very complaints made by Jason. The first couple minutes each side it looking to settle down and get into their flow, this is a big match for both sides, Chicago has to start getting results to keep up with New England, and RSL is desperate to make sure people know that their first place position is no fluke. An early corner kick by the Fire and only a great effort by Andy on the line keeps the ball out of the goal, wow RSL escapes a early threat.
Well so far the RSL defense has been up to the challenge, and Andy takes RSL’s first shot that goes off the cross bar. Damm, a great ball in by Wingert goes just wide when Beckerman puts a shot that deflects off the fire defender. On the corner kick, Yura gets a ball played in well and a big save by Busch is the only thing that keeps RSL from pulling ahead early.
10-20 minutes
Well Blanco is up to his old tricks as he dives based on a touch (if you can call it that) from Dema, I say if he is going to go down like that, then foul him hard and make him pay. The ball played out wins another corner kick for the Fire, and the scramble results in a RSL throw in. The RSL attack is stopped by an offside call against Ian Joy who was off by a couple feet, but a good effort getting forward by the defender.
A big ball into the box, but nobody from RSL was there, but nothing comes of it, the Fire counter is shut down by Olave. RSL is doing a bit better keeping the ball and playing in the Chicago half of the pitch, they have won a corner and the ball is played in by Morales but it goes high over the goal off the head of Movsisyan. The ball gets played back in and Yura fires a shot that goes off a fire player and the 3rd corner kick for RSL, but again it fails to get much directly off the set piece, but RSL keep it dangerous and get another corner kick, this time it falls to a Fire player and they counter but it is shut down quickly by RSL. Wow RSL gets yet another corner kick as a great ball played in by Yura to Tino, but the ball is played out by the Fire, this time the ball falls again without too much of a threat but the follow up is a ball that runs out of bounds to give Chicago a goal kick.
20-30 minutes
Wow RSL dodges a bullet as Barrett makes a bad play and the RSL defense clears the ball out of trouble, it has been nice to see RSL controlling the majority of possession, they have to do a bit better with their passes but so far they are the shaper team tonight. The Fire has a free kick from about 30 yards out, but Olave clears the ball, but the Fire keep possession and are looking more threatening that they have in the match.
So far Tino has looked a bit over matched, but the rest of the team has been playing well, a hard two footed challenge has Andy limping as he gets up slowly. A foul at midfield when Mapp comes in late and from behind, it probably could have been a card. RSL mounts another attack but Morales plays a ball in but nobody is there to receive it and it goes out for a goal kick. I have to say that the RSL defense has not played as well as they have in recent weeks, but so far no real threats from the Fire.
30-45 minutes
Wow Tino gets a great attacking chance, plays the ball into the box but both RSL players had moved away from the attack, and on the counter the Fire get a super chance as Rolfe can’t finish after he beat Rimando, talk about dodging bullets.
It really looks like RSL is the more confident team, the Fire seem a bit desperate when they have the ball, RSL get the ball into the box and at Yura’s feet but Soumare is able to muscle him off the ball. RSL has a free kick from about 40 yards out, but it goes out of bounds and a goal kick for Chicago, a couple bad RSL passes is really the only thing that has been wrong with the RSL effort so far, they have been the better side going into the 40th minute, but with the score still 0-0 it doesn’t matter who the better side is, as neither have gotten the ball into the back of the net yet. Nice picture of Jason calling down instructions to the bench, it is clear that he sees something that RSL can take advantage off.
Wow Barrett fires a dangerous shot on goal despite having Olave all over him, but the ball goes off the post and RSL escapes the most dangerous attack from the Fire of the night. It appears that this has fired up the Fire and they are pushing forward and look more dangerous than they have all night, as the ball has been in the RSL final third for the last couple minutes, wow this is proof that the RSL defense is both good and lucky. A hard foul by Soumare and Yura is down on the pitch and appears shaken up, but he is getting back up, but clearly he is shaken up, and off the free kick Dema fires a long shot that goes high over the goal and into the stands. One minute of stoppage time is indicated and it appears that both teams are really ready for the break and a chance to refresh just a bit and get reorganized.
Halftime
Here are the halftime numbers as RSL leads in shots and shots on goal, as well as cornerkicks, but with the score tied 0-0 this could go either way. RSL has had the better of play, controlling more of the possession and simply playing better at this point of the match, I am also impressed with the efforts of Yura and Dema, both who seem to be playing with a bit extra energy tonight.
After seeing the Thursday night coverage of the KC vs. Columbus match on ESPN in HD, I am really hoping that MLS decides to move forward and broadcast all matches in HD, it simply makes the matches look so much better. I know that our new stadium is going to have some great features for the media, and I really hope that all the organizations that broadcast MLS matches put forth the effort to show the beautiful game at its finest in HD.
Second Half
One change at the half for RSL as Robbie Findley comes in for Tino Nunez, which is a great change for RSL as Tino seemed to struggle a little bit. So let’s hope that Robbie’s speed will prove to be enough for RSL to get on the scoreboard.
45-55 minutes
Sure enough within the first couple minute Robbie takes a shot, it goes high but still is going to force Chicago to adjust how they are playing on defense. The midfield is really crowded with players from both sides, but RSL still appear to be the better side early in the second half.
Wow the RSL defense is stifling, not just the back line, but everyone comes back to help out on defense and that has been the key to impressive efforts over the last couple months. Fire get a free kick from just outside of the area on a hand ball, there are a lot of bodies inside the box, but the ball is headed over the goal by the Fire and a RSL goal kick is the final result.
55-65 minutes
The Fire seem to be picking up the effort as the second half moves on, and now the battle is to keep possession of the ball and the first yellow card goes to Prideaux for a tackle from behind on Kyle Beckerman, off the free kick the ball is bouncing around, but nothing for RSL and the Fire counter has been closed down quickly.
It is clear that the Fire are now controlling more of the possession, and I expect that RSL will have to make another change as Yura seems to have simply been taken out of the offense, perhaps bringing in Deuchar will restart the offense. Joy has received a yellow card, not sure what the call is for, but each team now have a yellow card. The Fire corner kick is played high and out by Olave, so Chicago will just move to the other side for another corner, this time it is cleared out by RSL, but the Fire is looking more dangerous, and I wonder how long we will have to wait to see another change for RSL, this is where not having depth at offensive mid will hurt RSL. Findley gets a good chance and Busch gets enough of the ball to bounce it off the post and out of danger. The RSL corner poses no danger as it is cleared out to midfield.
65-75 minutes
Well RSL has gotten a bit of energy with Robbie stepping up the offensive pressure, but neither side is really looking dangerous as RSL has just two shots on goal and the Fire still do not have an official shot on goal. Well the change has been made as Kenny Deuchar comes in for Yura who put forth a great effort tonight. Wow the Fire get their first shot on goal and Rimando is up to the task as he stops a shot by Mapp. Wow the Fire are clearly not going to be happy getting a draw at home and are really attacking and taken 3 shots in the last couple minutes, can RSL figure out how to get into the attack?
There is another RSL chance as a ball played in by Findley, Beckerman tries to deflect the ball and it is just not enough, but nice to see RSL getting back into the offensive effort. RSL is moving forward but Findley can’t outplay 5 guys and Chicago is collapsing a ton of players onto the ball each time RSL gets it. RSL is doing a bit better at connecting some passes together, but a nice counter by the Fire but the RSL defense is up to the task and finally the ball goes out off Olave for another corner kick. A yellow card on Dema for a tackle on Blanco, a little confusion on the part of the officials but instead of a corner, the Fire get a free kick from just outside the box. Wow a red card is issued to CJ Brown who isn’t even in the match, talk about a bit strange.
75-90 minutes
Well this match has had a lot of strange things but still without any goals, so will either side figure out how to get the ball into the back of the net? Wingert took a shot but nobody was on the near post to help out, the Fire counter ends up with a ball in the hands of Nick Rimando and back out to the midfield. The Fire takes advantage of another dive by Blanco to get a free kick from just outside of the box, the shot is wide of the goal and doesn’t make Rimando do any work other than to collect the ball and prepare for a goal kick.
RSL plays the ball into the box, but nothing threatening, and the Fire counter but then play the ball back out to the midfield line. The ball goes off a RSL player and the Fire get another corner kick, played in by Blanco, and out by RSL, the second corner ends up in the trusty hands of Nick Rimando, this is clearly where RSL is in trouble we simply do not have anyone on the bench who can come in to spell any of our midfielders. RSL get a free kick from just outside the box deep inside the Fire third, can RSL do something with it? Nope it is played out off the first man, but back in by RSL, now they have a deep throw in, the end result is a shot by Dema that goes wide. Just a few minutes left and RSL is looking more dangerous than at any other point in the second half, the Fire get the ball deep in the RSL end of the pitch but it goes out for a goal kick. This is funny the ultimate dive guy, is trying to get a call on Rimando for stalling, it appears that Blanco doesn’t own a mirror, because nobody is more of a match stopper than Mr. Blanco.
RSL gets a chance but the counter by Chicago and Rimando makes a big save on a shot by Mapp again, the corner goes wide but Chicago keeps possession of it, but nothing more comes of the effort. The final RSL sub as Beltran comes in for Andy Williams, wow our only midfield sub is a defender, but with just a few ticks of the clock going for a point on the road is a smart move and the Fire offense has been stepping up the pace. Now another corner kick for the Fire, but the Fire head the ball out of bounds and RSL gets a throw in. The 4th official shows 3 minutes of stoppage time, as Rimando makes another save.
Wow, RSL seems to be very flat footed these last few minutes, not sure if they are simply tired or what but it is clear that the energy is gone from the RSL effort. Another corner for the Fire, cleared out of bounds by Deuchar, and the throw in is cleared long by Joy, but now the Fire attack again, as Olave and Soumare battle, but the Fire keep attacking but the RSL defense has been up to the task so far, but can they keep it up. Yes they do, the whistle blows and we end up with a 0-0 draw, which makes for a fair result considering that you had two of the best defenses facing off. I expected a bit more from RSL but a point on the road means that RSL will stay in first place at the All Star break.
Well the numbers are even almost across the board and so was the 0-0 scoreline. This reinforces what I have said all along with the departure of Cordoba and injury of Espindola, RSL needs to pick up a midfielder who can bring in an offensive effort off the bench, and I for one am more than willing to believe that perhaps a player like Clint Mathis could be exactly what we need. He isn’t my first choice, but you know that if he is willing to be a team player that we could really use someone who can bring in energy at the end of the match, it was clear that something was lacking from the RSL effort in the final 30 minutes. Still the defense has only given up 3 goals in 9 matches and that is one impressive effort, the offense has to find a way to get better but against the overall best defense in the league RSL made Chicago work hard to keep the clean sheet for their keeper as well.
10 days til TFC comes to town, and sitting in first place in the West for another week. Not too bad at this point of the season.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real Salt Lake vs. Chicago Fire
July 18, 2008 by f4denz.
Battle of top defenses
The best defensive unit in MLS this year has been the Chicago Fire, who have given up just 14 goals all season. RSL is coming in tied for the second best defense in MLS having allowed just 19 goals this season, but RSL’s recent form has been very impressive giving up just 3 goals in their last 8 MLS matches. So while Chicago has had a better season, their recent form has been less than stellar giving up 11 goals in their last 8 MLS matches. They have posted a 2-4-2 record in recent weeks, while RSL is 4-1-3 during the same stretch.
Fire struggle against the West
I don’t imagine the prospect of facing a red hot RSL is a enjoyable thought in the mind of the Fire players, many will remember opening day when they got outplayed by RSL, and only a great goal in the 90th minute by Blanco saved their bacon from a loss. Since then faced 3 teams from the West at Toyota Park, and their record is just 1-1-1, but when their overall record against the West is just 2-3-2. With John Thorrington (4 goals, 1 assist) and Gonzalo Segares (1 goal, 1 assist), both out on suspensions, and injuries to Herron, Carr, and Robinson will hurt both their offense and defense of the Fire. How the impending suspension of Blanco for his tirade after the Fire vs. DC United US Open cup match hasn’t taken effect yet is anyone’s guess, but with that looming over his head will he be at 100%? Will the Fire who have struggled at home 3-3-1 be able to build on their recent win over TFC last weekend, it will be hard considering the guy who scored the game winner Thorrington will be in regular clothes, as they face a very mad RSL squad.
Playing Mad
I really hope that RSL is playing mad, they should be. Not a single RSL player made the main roster of the 2008 All Star match of 18 players, only one player made the larger 32 (called for by the CBA between the league and the players) man roster, and while Kyle Beckerman is deserving of that credit how so many others have been overlooked is nothing short of criminal. Now add in that the US Olympic team chose to add Brad Guzan to be the number one keeper over Chris Seitz, despite Chris being the keeper whose play got the US into the games in the first place. Guzan who is now a part of the Aston Villa roster may not be released by his new club to play, but what an insult thinking that Guzan who left Chivas with a 1.33 GAA is a critical part to the success of the US effort. Robbie Findley another player who was a vital part of the team that got the US into the games was named to the alternate roster, but picking a old 36 yr. old Brian McBride (who retired from international team play over a year ago) is a great PR move, if it is the right move remains to be seen.
Also add in the lack of respect first place RSL is getting many still have them low in the MLS power rankings, but a road win against the Fire would have to silence the critics, right? Well if shutting down the Crew offense (that put 3 up against KC last night) won’t get anyone to respect RSL, what will? As I mentioned above the RSL defense is now among the best in MLS and their recent form is by far the most solid in the league, can any other team say they have only given up 3 goals in their last eight league matches? Nope not a single team can, had we been able to get Olave up to form quicker RSL would probably have had a couple more wins, but the long road trip that is has them playing 8 of their last 12 MLS matches on the road will be a harsh test.
Getting into first place for the first time in league history still is taking a back seat to Real landing the 2009 MLS All Star match at their new stadium, is it enough to fire up the team into getting their second road win? I hope so, and am willing to pick RSL to win 2-1 on a late goal from Kenny Deuchar.
GAME GUIDE
(not sure how Rolfe will cover to positions but hey who knows)
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real injustice
July 17, 2008 by f4denz.
OK, this may be the biggest joke in MLS history. I get that Nicols is pissed that we thrashed his boys a couple weeks ago, I get that many fans made fun of him, I get that he may want to stack the All Star Team roster with players from his team, or even players from Canada, but today’s announcement of three replacement players was simply criminal. Real Salt Lake midfielder Javi Morales got screwed by not being named to the initial roster, but it got worse today.
So Kljestan, Parkhurst, and Rogers were named to the US Olympic Team and will now report to training so they will not be available for the All Star match next week, finally a shot to fix the injustice of Javi Morales not making the team, right? Nope since Steve lost one of his New England boys from the squad he named Steve Ralston to replace him, but I can understand this move after all Steve has 6 goals and 4 assists, a decent replacement for Rogers. Adding Jonathan Bornstein to replace Parkhurst is a bad move, there are much better defenders this year in MLS, I can name four on the MLS roster (Wingert, Beltran, Olave, and Borchers), maybe this was a move to keep a goat on the roster, who knows?
But if you’re going to replace a creative midfielder like Sasha Kljestan, how could you not pick Javi? Better yet, how the hell could you chose Juan Toja who isn’t even the best midfield on his own team? If you feel obligated to pick someone from F*C* Dallas, then pick Andre Rocha, who has 6 assists and is tied for 3rd in MLS. I am sorry this is just an awful move, it would have made sense last year when Juan was one of the best players in the first half of the season, but not this year, not when you could chose a guy with 3 goals and 7 assists, who may be a valid candidate for MVP of the league, who is playing on a first place team. Dallas is the worst team in MLS this year if you don’t count expansion San Jose, and yet they have two players on the team, what crap.
Note to Steve Nicols, you may be a good coach but you are one hell of an ass for not choosing Javi Morales to be on the roster, it sure isn’t a team that is reflective of the best players in MLS. While the MLS named 14 inactive All Stars (I am not sure who picks these players), but even when the roster is expanded to 32 names Javi is left off the list. In fact RSL gets just one player on a list of the “32 best” players in MLS at the All Star break. Congrats to Kyle Beckerman on getting to be a “inactive” All Star, but this whole roster is a bunch of crap and I for one will be skipping the All Star game this season, it simply isn’t worthy of watching.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real Salt Lake & MLS midweek
July 16, 2008 by f4denz.
Real Salt Lake News
RSL reserves vs. BYU Live Blog archive rsltothecore.com
OK, I have to admit I wish I would have been able to head down for this one, but I was at a conference and unable to attend. I love the RSL liveblogged this event, and I love the Clint Mathis was in town and part of the RSL roster, is he really just practicing with his old side to get ready for a season overseas? Rumors a few weeks ago had him signing with the LA Galaxy, but more recent signing of Eduardo Dominguez, and rumors of a Ruiz for Hedjuk trade between the Crew and Galaxy, could Mathis be wanting a chance to play on the grass at the new RSL stadium? Could the Cletus of old play for neo-discipline coach Jason Kreis, not sure but the current RSL roster with Clint coming off the bench for some last minute energy, and pushing Kyle, Javi, and Dema to practice and player harder to keep their spots is an interesting thought. I am glad I haven’t tossed my old Mathis-RSL hat out, even if he does look a good bit older than the last time we saw him in a RSL jersey.
photo from the talented Julie Fizer
RSL finally reach Western summit web.mlsnet.com
It is a milestone Real Salt Lake has coveted for a long time. After four mostly turbulent years in Major League Soccer, they can claim a distinction that few foresaw before the season got underway.
RSL, for a week at least, reigns supreme in the Western Conference. Real moved into first place for the first time in club history when they defeated Columbus 2-0 on Saturday.
Week in review: RSL reign in the West web.mlsnet.com
For the first time in club history, Real Salt Lake sit atop the Western Conference, following a victory against the Columbus Crew highlighting Week 16 of the Major League Soccer season.
After Thursday’s SuperClasico which ended in a 1-1 draw between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA, the door was open for Real to finally move atop the conference. And the 4-year-old club took advantage, defeating the Crew 2-0 to move to the head of the class.
RSL won’t have to face a full strength Chicago Fire squad this weekend:
Out for Yellow card suspensions: Thorrington and Segares are out on suspension, out with injuries are Carr, Herron, and Robinson
Blanco to be suspended mls-rumors.net
This comes to us courtesy of a Chicago MLSR reader who claims “inside knowledge” of the Blanco determination at the US Soccer Federation. “
Hi, I wish to be anonymous but I can tell you I have a connection inside the USSF and that is where my info comes from. After reviewing video supplied to them by MLS and D.C. United, the Federation is going to suspend Blanco for five US Open Cup matches and fine him $5000. Additionally MLS has been afforded the opportunity to take action as well and will suspend Blanco for 2 MLS matches as his violent conduct put the league in an unfavorable light and brought disrepute upon the Chicago Fire. Additionally since his behavior was directed towards other MLS players, and club staff the league feels a two game suspension is appropriate here. So in summation, Blanco has been banned for 5 USOC games, 2 MLS games and fined five thousand dollars.”
Real Cricket? Telegraph.co.uk
The decision last night to adopt an English Premier League Twenty20 tournament based around the existing 18 counties shuts the door on prospective suitors such as Dave Checketts.
(OK this is very interesting, it looks like Uncle Dave was looking at cricket as a potential way to get himself into the English sport scene. I also find it interesting that the article mentions the Real Madrid connection and the Academy)
RSL: Checketts wants RSL to “be aggressive” in search for roster help sltrib.com
Owner Dave Checketts watched in person as his Real Salt Lake team reached first place in the Major League Soccer Western Conference for the first time last weekend.
Now, he wants to make sure the team doesn’t falter. With the opening of the MLS transfer window today, Checketts has instructed general manager Garth Lagerwey to “be aggressive” about pursuing new players and potentially upgrading RSL at “one or two positions” for the stretch run. RSL plays at Chicago on Saturday in its last game before a break for the MLS All-Star Game.
Transfer window is now open deseretnews.com/blogs
The MLS transfer window opened up on Tuesday, and Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey said the team had two offers on the table. Nothing is finalized, however, and may not be until the end of the week.
“It has less to do with us being cautious and more so us trying to finding the guys we like, making offers, and then hammering out the deal and then getting the immigration stuff done,” said Lagerwey.
Some MLS news
Another MLS franchise in Canada? Goal.blogs.nytimes.com (the info below is at the bottom of the article)
Nash, whose father was a professional soccer player in South Africa and whose brother Martin plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the U.S.L. First Division, is part of a group that hopes to bring an M.L.S. team to Vancouver, British Columbia.
“I’ve been a fan of the team since I was six,” Nash said of the Whitecaps. “I haven’t invested money yet, more like human capital. It’s a spectacular city. We’re really optimistic and we’re hoping to have some good news at the M.L.S. All-Star game in Toronto.”
Soccer- Former U.S. skipper Reyna to retire-report uk.reuters.com
Former United States captain Claudio Reyna is to announce his retirement after struggling with injuries in Major League Soccer this season. The league’s website (http://www.mlsnet.com) said Reyna had announced a press conference for 1400 EST (1800 GMT) on Wednesday where he was “expected to announce his retirement”.
Quakes sign two forwards mercurynews.com
Backup has finally arrived.
The struggling Earthquakes revamped their front line Monday by signing proven goal-scorers Darren Huckerby of England and Scott Sealy of the Kansas City Wizards. But the Quakes aren’t stopping there as they switch directions midway through their first season. The team also plans to announce it has acquired Brazilian midfielder Francisco Lima, 37, and possibly another striker. Reserve midfielder Joe Vide was placed on waivers.
Guzan blazing new path web.mlsnet.com
Since Chivas USA began sorting out their first-ever roster, Brad Guzan has been a pillar with the Red-and-White. The club’s first-ever SuperDraft choice eventually became its first-ever starting goalkeeper and led the club to their first-ever playoff victory a year later.
Now, Guzan is blazing a new path and leaving Chivas USA in his wake. Chivas USA and Major League Soccer agreed with English club Aston Villa to send Guzan to the English Premiership. If a work permit is secured, Guzan has played his last match with the Red-and-White.
ON MY SOAPBOX
So last weekend was the kick off of the 2nd SuperLiga tournament between the top 4 MLS and to 4 Mexican teams, but I really think MLS fans and players get screwed by this SuperScam tournament.
First, the matches are all played on telefutura, that is really nice for those from Mexico or those who speak Spanish but what about the fans of the MLS teams? Do we expect that all the fans of New England, DC United, Houston, and Chivas USA want to watch the matches in Spanish? Please this is a clear attempt by SUM (the group that runs soccer in most of North America and Mexico) to pander to the Hispanic audience in both Mexico and the US. Note that MLS will not clear their schedule for World Cup Qualifying, or FIFA scheduled events, but will at the drop of a dime change the entire MLS schedule to fit in this tournament.
Second, the deck is stacked in favor of the Mexican teams. Don’t believe me, here is the statement from the MLS Players Union “MLS is misleading its great fans,” the statement reads. “What has not been revealed by the league is that its New York office has unilaterally set its own bonus structure for players, who will receive only a small fraction of the $1 million….If an MLS team wins SuperLiga, the players on that team won’t split $1 million. Instead, they will receive only 15% of the prize money. This puts MLS players at a significant competitive disadvantage as the Mexican clubs are not operating under the same rules. Indeed, it is our understanding that the players on last year’s winner Pachuca split the entire $1 million prize amongst themselves.”
Finally, I have watched 3 of the matches so far and I have to say that the officiating is very clearly in favor of the Mexican sides, last night in the DC United vs. Atlante, there were several calls that simply were not even close, including some huge delaying moves at the end of the match. Also in the Chivas (CD Guadalajara) vs. Houston match a number of key plays either not called, or went in favor of Chivas, we know that the Mexican teams have more to play for, but also giving them an edge with the officials (at the US locations) is simply unethical.
This tournament is a scam, a shallow ploy by MLS and SUM to try and get some level of foothold with the Hispanic community in the US, and another set of matches they can sell to the TV market in Mexico. I think this could be an interesting idea, but only when it is played fairly and the rules are the same for both sides, until that time, this is simply another bad faith act by MLS.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real Salt Lake’s Christmas in July
July 15, 2008 by f4denz.
First a little housekeeping issue, MLS 2008 All Star game has 8 players from the Western Conference, but not a single RSL player, you know the team in first place? The only other team in the West to get snubbed this way is San Jose, who sits as the worst team in MLS with 13 points. In fact every other team in MLS got at least on player on the All Star team, so I am not sure how you by pass a keeper who is third in GAA and tied for a league best 6 clean sheets, for Pat Onstad, who is .06 ahead in the GAA stat, but has only 3 clean sheets, oh wait it is because he is from Canada and the match is being played there, same for DeRo getting picked in front of Javi Morales, who has better stats and is tied for second in the MLS with 7 assists and has 3 goals. DeRo has 4 goals but only two assists, but because he is a Candian he got picked. How about Olave, Wingert, Borchers, or Beltran, you know that back line that has allowed just 3 goals in their last 8 matches, nope none of them, but Jim Brennan from TFC gets to go despite his team giving up 11 goals in their last 8 MLS matches. Oh wait the same answer applies, I hope next year that choices are made based on merit alone, because you and I both know that no 3-4 RSL players will get picked by the coach or commissioner simply because the match is held here. Welcome to yet another example of the MLS double standard.
Now the good news
Yup, that is right RSL is holding on to a very slim 1 point lead in the West and with the race as close as it is, it really is a big accomplishment, as all the Western conference teams have struggled to get points on the road. Funny thing is the best team on the road is San Jose who have 8 road points and have scored more goals on the road than at home. Now RSL has played one more game than the other teams in the West, but they didn’t write the schedule. The victories at RES over the best teams in the East is a clear sign that RSL is a team to be taken seriously, beating New England and Columbus within a couple weeks of each other is an accomplishment for any team.
Top RSL Players
Javi Morales is tied for second with Landycakes and Beck’s for assists in MLS with 7, and some people questioned if he was worth the money being spent on him? Consider of the top 5 assist guy in MLS all but one of them are DP’s, makes me think that we may have gotten a bargain with Javi.
Rimando is moving up the rankings of keepers, now tied for 3rd in GAA, and tied for 1st for shutouts, not bad for a keeper that basically got shunned out of DC, who have a keeper with a 1.57 GAA and no shut outs and ranks close to the bottom of MLS keepers.
I also think the collective play of our back line has got to be getting attention from every MLS team, I know that offensive teams like Houston, New England, and Columbus sure are paying attention. To start the year everyone was a bit concerned about how the defense could replace Eddie Pope, and it was a fair question. Who would have thought that not a single defensive starter from our first match in 2007 would even be on the roster in 2008? Our midseason pick ups of Chris Wingert and Mantis Mantilla last season were the first steps in what would be a very impressive rebuilding effort. In the off season RSL would add a couple of MLS veterans who had been playing overseas, both Nat Borchers, and Ian Joy had played in MLS and then journeyed to Europe, while Joy has battled some injuries and struggled to reacquaint himself to the MLS game his recent performance has been up to the expected standard. RSL also added Jamison Olave from Columbia, who is quickly becoming one of the major impact players not only for RSL, but in all of MLS, he did struggle with understanding what role Jason wanted him to play, but once they got past the language barrier, the impact was huge. Offensive players are quickly finding out that Jamison is not only large and strong but his speed is very deceptive for a player of his size. The draft was also good to RSL this year, as Tony Beltran was the first RSL pick and while some questioned taking him much earlier than expected in the draft, the decision is proving to be a wise one. I have to rate his performance high enough to force MLS to consider him as a “rookie of the year” candidate.
While the offense has still struggled a bit, I have to say the overall play of Kenny Deuchar is greatly improved in recent weeks, while he hasn’t become the scoring machine I and many others expected (at least not yet), he has proven that he is a huge impact. All one has to do is look at last weekends goal by Robbie Findley, which was a direct result of a great first touch by Kenny to get the ball in a good position for Robbie to attack the goal. Robbie has proven that speed kills and he has plenty of speed, the goals are coming and with the ability to interchange attacking players I think we are only starting to see what Robbie can provide for RSL. Yura is back healthy and appears that he now has a much better understanding of distributing the ball as part of the overall attack, this could lead to some really good things in the future.
Overall as we head into the All Star break, it really is sad that no RSL players were chosen, but it speaks volume to the style of team play that Jason preaches and our team has bought into that concept and it brought them to the top of the West, a solid performance this weekend getting either a win or at least a draw on the road, will go even further to ensure we head into the second half of the season with the mindset and momentum that we will need for the long summer months that follow.
A dose of reality
So I am excited by where RSL is and the match against Columbus proved one thing to me, even when we don’t play our best, we still have enough talent, heart, and motivation to win. Funny that now that RSL is in first place that all the local media is paying attention, now that the stadium already has a big event scheduled for next year, that the media coverage is now more positive, funny how that happens.
I am going to throw a little cold water on the all the enthusiasm that is going on right now with a couple cold hard facts that will have to be dealt with if RSL hopes to make the playoffs, first is performance on the road we have just 3 points from 7 matches (.428 per game), we have 13 games left this season and 5 are at home and 8 are on the road. If the numbers stay the way they are right now that means that RSL will end up with just 4 points from our remaining road matches, at home we can look for another 10 points, that would put us at the end of the season with a total of 37 points. That most likely will not be enough for the playoffs, last season that is the total that Columbus had and they missed the playoffs. The safe number for last season is 40 points, so all it will take is an improved effort on the road to move our average up. One more road win, could be the difference, but more likely will be our need to get 3-4 draws on the road, and we must do that without losing any momentum at home be it the final 3 MLS matches at RES or the two matches at the new stadium in October.
Injuries and call ups, with our improved play we may see players like Kyle Beckerman, Nat Borchers, Robbie Findley, and others get some time either with the national team or the Olympic team. Injuries can be huge this time of year, while we have some nice depth at forward, and on defense, our midfield has shown that one player missing can make a huge difference. I am hoping that we will hear some news in the next 24-48 hours about potential signings, added depth and firepower in the midfield is my choice, but another talented striker would be a nice addition to have as well.
It is a long season, and I am really very hopeful that we will get more than just 2 matches at the new stadium this season, but we can not spend too much time patting ourselves on the back just yet, enjoy being in first, but fight like hell to stay there.
OFF MY SOAPBOX