In match blogging
September 12, 2007 by f4denz.
(6:00 pm MST) So I figured I would try something new, posting my blog during the match. The first 10 minutes RSL really is dominating winning 3 corner kicks and putting a couple shots on goal, but nothing on the scoreboard. Then DC attacks, and a poor clearance by Kotschau, followed by a blocked clearance by Beckerman lead to a ball played back towards the far post by Gomez to Emilio and RSL again fails to cover all the guys in the box (Kipre gets there just a second too late) and the score is 1-0 in the 16th minute. Is it frustration or desperation when just on the edge of the box Richie commits a foul and gets carded.
More in a couple minutes
(6:10 pm MST) Well the play has leveled out with both teams attacking and countering. A yellow card on a bad challenge by Esky in the 28th minute, but RSL keeps attacking and putting the ball in the box and sure enough a shot by Beckerman (playing in front of family and friends) that finds the back of the net and makes it a tied match at 1-1. DC United keeps attacking, and a good save by Rimando, funny that Bara Brava gets louder when the match is tied vs. when they are ahead, interesting.
Back in a few
(6:15 pm MST) Wow, RSL is attacking and making Perkins work hard tonight. A great chance by Brown falls just short, I believe at least 5 different RSL players have taken shots tonight for a total of 7 shots so far, with 5 on goal. RSL has also had 4 corner kicks so far to only 1 for DC. A yellow card to Ben Olsen (Geico Caveman), and the fouls are 8 for DC to 6 for RSL. Offsides are 1 for DC and 2 for RSL. This has been a energetic half of soccer so far, wow I think this is the best half of the year if you consider the play of both teams.
Next update at the half
(6:23 pm MST) Well the last second of the half saw another foul by RSL at the very top of the box, and a yellow card to Mathis (we think) but a save on a great shot by Rimando. The action in the first half has been as fast paced as any match RSL has played all year (so much for this comment AsianHandicap.com –DC United vs. Real Salt Lake). It appears that the author has a couple facts wrong but I found this to be a much more realistic evaluation of RSL’s play in recent matches (Salt Lake not quite the favorites yet). The most positive coverage in a while by Deseret News (Real a team- win or lose), being a solid team is a move in the right direction, and considering in our last 6 matches we are 3-3, it appears the team is learning to work together. I also found this stadium update a breath of fresh air (Progress on RSL stadium kicking in) typical comments by readers, who are either totally in favor or totally opposed to the stadium. All I know is each day I get at least one person at work who mentions the progress of the stadium to me. OK it is almost time for the 2nd half to kick off.
What will happen next?
(6:40 pm MST) A 3rd foul on the edge of the box, but this time it is called for a PK. DC has looked much more dangerous in the first couple minutes, RSL is playing on their heels a bit, this PK is a direct result of a bad clearance by Richie. Thank God for Nick Rimando, who saves his second PK in a row. Once again, I say he is our teams MVP this season, hands down. RSL counters and DC commits a foul and RSL is on the attack again, and now RSL has a corner kick now a 7-1 edge for RSL. We again have to do better on our set pieces, as the only thing to come out of the corner, is a counter attack by DC United.
Too much action
(6:47 pm MST) The pace and back and forth attacks continue at the same pace as the first half. Beckerman has picked up a yellow card for dissent, this match has been rough with over 20 fouls so far (12-9 DC), a shot is in the net, but the offside flag is up (but probably should not have been), a call goes RSL’s way. RSL has countered and is down in DC’s end of the pitch, and win another corner kick (that is 8 so far). This one goes off a DC player and again nothing to show for the corner kick. A yellow card to McTavish for DC, that is 5th card of the match (3-2 RSL).
This is a great match to watch
(6:53 pm MST) Finally a bit of a slowdown as DC United plays a couple minutes of keep away in their own half of the pitch, they attack only to have RSL get the ball and counter. A decent cross by Kipre but no one is in the box to put it on goal, so another chance blown (please remove Chris Brown and put in anyone else). RSL pulls out Kipre and put in Lancos (there does not appear to be an injury). Foul by DC about 15 yards from goal, can we take advantage of the free kick? Javier takes it and over the top of the net, but once again nothing to show for it. Nice attack by DC, a shot by Ben Olsen, but a great save by Rimando.
Who will get to the back of the net next?
(7:00 pm MST)
DC gets a great counter and DC get their 2nd corner kick of the night, but they get nothing from it. DC again takes the ball away from RSL on a sloppy pass and attack but they once again get nothing for their effort. This is one intense and physical match, we are now at 28 fouls (18-10 DC), how long can both teams go at this pace? RSL gets the ball of a DC turnover and is setting up shot in the DC end of the pitch and another foul by DC, so another free kick for RSL. Once again nothing off the chance close to goal and DC counters and get a shot off by Gros and it goes twenty yards over the goal.
I am glad I am DVR’ing this one
(7:04 pm MST) Well shot are tied at 9 each and both teams also have 6 on goal. RSL brings in Robbie Findley for Espindola, here is hoping Robbie’s pace proves to help RSL. DC has a free kick from close to the box, nothing but once again RSL fails to clear and the ball is played back in and finds the back of the net off a cross by Fred and Gomez puts it in. DC up 2-1. Gomez gets a yellow card.
Can RSL mount a comeback?
(7:10 pm MST) Finally Chris Brown is off and Andy Williams come on the pitch, this could prove to be a difference maker. RSL wins a PK, on a foul that I missed, a tug of the jersey on Talley. Esky steps up to take the PK and nope, Perkins gets the save. RSL gets a free kick on the edge of the box as the fouls go over the 34 mark, ball loose in the box but DC clears it. Win, lose or draw this match has been very exciting and you have to be impressed with RSL’s effort tonight.
Come on Robbie, get us back into this one
(7:15 pm MST) DC brings in Simms and takes out the Geico caveman, DC attacks and Gros puts a shot on goal, save by Rimando, but a corner kick to DC. They get nothing from it but keep the ball in the RSL half of the pitch. Fred is offside, the foul count is now 23-13 with DC getting the best of that total as well. Fred has pulled a yellow card and Chicago owes RSL since DC will have 3 players unable to play the next match due to yellow cards. DC attacks again and this time Matias breaks it up and RSL counters, but gives up the ball and here comes DC. Robbie Findley gets away with a foul near the corner, but throw in to DC and they win a corner kick, they are up to 4 on the night but RSL still is leading that battle with 8. A save by Nick, and long balled played out to Esky, who appears to be hobbled by all the contact tonight.
Even more fouls
(7:20 pm MST) 5 minutes left, RSL gets their 9th corner kick of the night. Lancos takes the kick and it is played out by DC but RSL keeps it in the DC half of the pitch. There is no quit in either team tonight. Gomez gets fouled and a card to Matias for the 8th of the match. DC attacks and a foul by Richie to stop play and eat up some clock time. This match will end up with more than 40 fouls as we enter stoppage time, RSL gives up the ball in their own half but DC puts the ball 20 over and 20 wide for a RSL goal kick with a minute and a half of stoppage time left. Weak shot by Williams, and DC takes every chance to eat up the remaining time. RSL gets the ball again but has trouble controlling it, they finally get it into the DC half of the pitch but give up the ball on a bad pass. DC is playing keep away but RSL again gets the ball and is setting up for what might be the final attack. DC has everyone covered and a bad back heel by Andy and DC puts the ball out and that is the match. DC wins 2-1 but this was a great match by both teams. RSL has to find a way to finish their set pieces as we get nothing from the 9 corner kicks.
On to Toronto (can we keep their scoreless streak going? A win will put us ahead of them in the combined table)
OFF MY SOAPBOX