Archive for September 2007
Halftime @ Toronto
September 15, 2007 by f4denz.
Wow, following what I believed to be the best RSL effort of the year on Wednesday at DC, we get what I think is probably the worst half of the season (or at least in the last 10 matches). Not only are we not attacking, we are having a very hard time connecting passes, dealing with the turf, and most of all countering the over the top long ball attack of Toronto FC.
We are getting out shot at the half 12-3, with RSL getting only one shot on goal. We again can thank Nick Rimando, the only player who is living up to expectations today, for a couple super saves in the first half. Chris Brown, Morales, Lancos, and Beckerman have all been non factors in the match so far. Fabian got a red card in the 35th minute of the match for an altercation with Marvell Wynne. Eddie Pope has played well on the back line, Wingert has been OK, Matias has been both great and horrible at moments of the match so far. Esky is putting for a lot of effort but has been ineffective and Talley has been playing the normal role of Chris Brown, you know the invisible man, talk about no impact so far. OK that is mean, he did clear out one of Toronto’s 4 corner kicks, another area where RSL is lacking behind Toronto 4-2.
OK back to the match
RSL gets another striker
September 15, 2007 by f4denz.
Breaking news today as RSL makes a trade with the KC Wizards to get Yura Movsisyan their 20 year old striker. Here are the details:
Update from team website (sounds like a good deal for RSL)
Yura’s wikipedia page (not a lot of info here)
Interview with Yura from KC just some quick questions with typical answers
In just under 700 minutes of playing time this year (5 starts) he has 32 shots, with 10 on goal and 5 finding the back of the net. This includes an game winning goal against the Goats watch the match highlights, Yura’s goal is at the end of the clip, a great goal.
Let’s hope that he can add some more scoring power to a RSL team that needed both punch and size and may have gotten a bit of both with this pick up.
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The Day After
September 13, 2007 by f4denz.
So at this time yesterday many of us were still feeling the excitement of what was in my opinion the most entertaining match RSL has every played. A few weeks ago many soccer commentators said that the 5-4 NY Red Bulls over the LA Galaxy (with Beck’s) was the best match in MLS history; I would now offer that last nights RSL lose to DC United was a better match. No it did not feature 9 goals; it was a typical 2-1 final score. It was not a showcase match for new MLS talent, there was no Beckham or Angel, it instead was two teams missing their biggest names. Eddie Pope (America’s best defender) and Jamie Moreno (all time MLS scoring leader) were both out of the lineup, with Eddie under the weather and Jamie was on national team duty for Bolivia.
Nope it was simply two teams giving 100% for every minute of the match; it was attack and counter attack all night long. It was shot after shot (24 in total) but not just shots but shots on goal (17 in total), it was 2 PK’s being stopped by great plays by super keepers. It was a physical battle that saw the officials call 39 fouls, and issue 8 yellow cards. For an interesting take on the officiating during last nights match see Ian Plenderleith’s piece on ussoccerplayer.com.
I have watched most of last nights match again, and the second time you notice how much effort was put out by the guys on the pitch. Both teams truly battled last night and the shame is that there had to be a loser, but when you face the best team in the league (historically the best team in MLS) on their home pitch, getting a result is a hard task. It may just look like another loss in RSL’s horrible season, but I enjoyed watching that match as any I have seen in 3 years.
If a casual soccer fan, or even a sports fan who is on the fence about MLS and soccer, this is the match to show them. I believe that any open minded sports fan would be blown away by the effort of the players, and excitement in the stands. Here is hoping that RSL despite the loss will stick with that style of play in the future, because more often than not it will end up in a positive result for them if they do. Now with all that being said, I did notice two very real problems that Jason must deal with either this season or in the off season if RSL is to move up the table. First is the lack of size on the roster, with Eddie out sick and Atibia on national duty RSL did not have a single player over 5′10″ on the pitch (no Carey Talley is not 6′1″, he is no taller than I am at 5′10″), on set pieces size allows you to take advantage offensively and stop the other team defensively. We lacked both last night (and have most of the season), with 9 corner kicks and a half dozen close set pieces, RSL got not a single goal last night. The second weakness is that we still need a solid number 1 striker, Esky has the heart but has not finished this season, and Findley has the speed but has also not finished as often as he should have. Is the solution Fabian? Only time will tell but I think any of the three would make a great second forward but we need a better solution at forward. 23 goals for and 37 against is all the proof I need that we have not replaced the scoring we had last year with Jeff Cunningham, and I do not see anyone on our current roster who can fill his golden boot.
Here is hoping that Saturday afternoon (1:30 pm MST on Direct Kick and Fox Sports Rocky Mountain) when we face off against Toronto FC, that we get our second road win of the season and move ahead of Toronto in the combined table.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
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
Weekend Update
September 10, 2007 by f4denz.
No I can not offer the humor of the Saturday Night Live (the 1980’s version, you know when it was still funny), but let’s take a look at RSL’s weekend, as well as other weekend events both sports and non-sports related.
I watched the RSL match at Iggy’s (you know the sports bar that would have rather catered to BYU fans-3 tables of them vs. the 50-75 RSL fans), I have to admit $7 for the oil can sized Foster’s was the only good thing I could say about the service Saturday night. Well I barely had time to order before RSL gave up a goal, and it would only be the first of many. If you live in a shoe you may not know that RSL lost to the Dynamo’s 4-3, but it probably should have been worse, we played our worst match in a long time. Did our guys show a lot of heart after going down 4-1, by getting a couple late goals to get back into the match, yes they did. Did Houston take their foot off the gas and let us back in, yes they did.
We failed to control the ball, despite what appeared to be an attempt at a 4-5-1, not sure since it looked a lot more like a bunch of 5 yr olds just chasing the ball for the vast majority of the match. I thought a weak effort was put forth by Esky, Talley (despite his goal), Morales, and Findley in the midfield, Beckerman tried but too often we simply failed to connect our passes or got muscled off the ball way to easily. Eddie Pope, appeared to be out of position on several plays but still looked better than Richie “watch the play” Kotschau. Matias appeared to be our best defensive player, while Kirpre went from decent to great to horrible, Wingert played as well as could be expected coming in at the 53rd minute for Pope. Fabian had a great goal from a very tough angle, proving that he is willing to work hard for a shot and knows how to finish, something RSL has lacked consistency at all season. Andy Williams and Kyle Brown both put in good efforts coming in as second half subs.
Houston simply worked harder and smarter than RSL and it showed on the scoreboard.
Match Recap Links:
Rally not enough a good recap from MLSnet.com
Dynamo hold off RSL 4-3 quick recap from SL Trib
Not sure why Deseret News has pulled their articles off their website, they had 3 this morning, now they have 1 which isn’t worth linking to.
Nate Jaqua scores 3 coverage of the match from The Canadian Press, both Onstad and DeRo will be playing for Canada in a friendly against Costa Rica on Thursday.
RSL’s reserves did pick up a 1-0 win over Houston on Sunday, with Adam Acosta scoring the lone goal with an assist going to Jamie Watson. Wow, Adam scores a goal, I thought he was playing with a USL squad since being let go by RSL. The reserve match also saw a very unlikely appearance by Dunny who played the second half for RSL and somebody names Trey Alexander.
The next 6 days see us having two more road matches (DC on Wednesday and Toronto on Saturday) both matches are on Direct Kick but have no local TV coverage. DC has been red hot of late, but coming off a road match at Chivas on Sunday we can hope they are a bit tired and we can pull out at least a point. Toronto on the other hand should be 3 easy points, if we hold them scoreless for 68 minutes they will pass the 800 minute mark without scoring a goal. Without Cunny (out for the season) or Dichio (out for the match), the punch of Toronto’s attack will be much weaker than the team that beat RSL on the 4th of July. That match was Toronto’s last win and with a victory over them RSL would put us in front of them in the overall league table.
Other Footy news
Developmental Salaries in MLS a great blog post about the number one issue facing MLS in my opinion.
How Lalas and LA learned the hardway a good review of Galaxy’s many issues
Other Weekend news
Other notables from the weekend, the Greek Festival needs to do two things for next year, first bring back Ouzo, and second find more room. In the realm of the pointy ball, none of the big 3 Utah college programs was able to pull out a win.
The NFL kicked off this week, and there were some big surprises and other things that simply were expected. The Colt’s dismantling the Saints was a bit of a surprise to many, but the Patriots destroying the Jets not so much. Green Bay pulled a nice upset of the Eagles, Minnesota beat up on the Vickless Falcons, Pittsburgh destroyed the Browns, and in a battle of the weakest teams in the NFL the Raiders dropped the opener to the Lions. The Chargers beat up on the Bears and the Cowboys won a shootout with the Giants. Also winning were Houston, who shut down Larry Johnson (thus the Chiefs), Carolina, Seattle, and the Titans all won their games. Two real nail bitters with Denver pulling out a last minute FG to win by one, and the Redskins beat the Dolphins in overtime.
All of those results ended up with me pulling in just under $500 in my weekly bets (yes, I have an account in Vegas that lets me bet on the NFL) and so far I have won all my fantasy football matches (6-0) for week one.
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