Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus Crew – another shot at 1st

So the MLS All Star match is just 12 days away, and RSL sits just 2 points out of 1^st place and they have two matches before the break (Chivas has none, LA has one, and Houston also has one). RSL will be defending their unbeaten streak at home 4-0-5, and looking to even it up with a win against the Crew, and then travelling to face Chicago next weekend in the Windy City as they try to add more points to their road record of 1-6-0.

Columbus is trying to keep up with East leading New England, and since the Crew have two matches before the All Star match, and the Rev’s have none if they boys in yellow can get two wins they would pull even with New England for 1^st place in the East. So both teams really are playing for their shot at the rare air of first place at the midseason break.

Crew have re-found their form

To start the MLS season the Columbus Crew went 6-1-0 in their first seven matches of the 2008 campaign, they then went 0-3-1 in their next four matches and didn’t score a single goal during that streak. But when the Crew went to KC to face off against the Wizards, they found the back of the net 3 times and have wrapped up a 2-0-2 record in their last four matches and have scored 10 goals while giving up 6 in those matches. Not only do the Crew have Alejandro Moreno and his 6 goals and 3 assists, but they have sophomore sensation Robbie Rogers who has 5 goals so far this season, their DP G.B. Schelotto has 3 goals and 8 assists (one better than Javi Morales), and now add in Emmanuel Ekpo who has a goal in each of the last two matches the Crew have played in. You also have to account for Steven Lenhart, who has come on as a sub and scored tying goals in both the comebacks against Chicago last week, and the Galaxy a couple weeks ago.

The Crew have done well against teams from the Western Conference, they are 4-2-1 with victories over Chivas, Houston, San Jose, and Colorado, their draw came against the Galaxy, and the second time they faced Chivas and San Jose they lost both of those matches. Like RSL, the Crew had a midweek matchup as they faced off with Independiente from Argentina, and like RSL they played a lot of reserves and very few starters, but unlike RSL they were able to manage a 2-1 victory.

The Crew have only two injuries to report, Gino Padula will be out, and Eddie Gaven is questionable. Columbus captain Frankie Hejduk will have to play knowing that with his next yellow card he will be suspended, other than that Columbus will be ready for action.

Recover, Rebound, Restraint and Reach

For RSL they will need to recover from a tough draw 10 days ago against Houston, a match that saw another example of poor MLS officiating (I can say that without fear of suspension or fines) you can read the report here (http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/LessonsLearnedWeek_15_2008.htm ). As well as the midweek drubbing they took at the hand of Mexican Champions Santos 4-1 was the final score, and while we played a lot of reserves it still did nothing to boost the morale of the team. RSL will also need to recover from the nagging injuries to Espindola and Tennelle (both out), and Nathan Sturgis is listed as doubtful as he continues to recover from his hamstring injury. Dema is listed as probable, it will take a whole lot to keep this warrior off the pitch for such an important match, here is one of the guys who battled every minute he was on the pitch Wednesday night against Santos. RSL will also be without Chris Wingert, who will serve his red card suspension, Chris had only missed a total of 3 minutes in league matches up to this point of the MLS season.

RSL has to find a way to rebound from their recent scoring drought, having scored only 3 goals in their last 6 MLS matches. They have to do this while continuing to play tough defense, RSL has only allowed two goals to be scored in their last 6 MLS matches, a stretch that has seen RSL put up a 2-1-3 record. The superior defensive play has helped Nick Rimando lower his GAA average to 1.19 which is 5^th best in MLS, a couple more clean sheets and his average could dip below 1 goal per match. If RSL fails to get at least two goals against the Crew, they will fall behind the goals for pace of the 2006 season.

A number of RSL player have been showing a lot of frustration on the pitch, while Kenny Deuchar is upset that he isn’t scoring (don’t worry Kenny your doing other things very well) or getting calls that other forwards in the league get, or it being Kyle Beckerman who started hot, but has due to being marked strongly by the other team hasn’t been making much of an impact in recent weeks, the list could go on to almost every RSL player. They have to be careful not to get into situations where getting sent off for a straight red card, or two yellows will hurt the team effort to get a real shot at the playoffs this season. This advice has to go all the way to the top of the organization, too many good things are happening. While many love him, and just as many other hate him, Jason has to find a better way of venting his frustrations, his emotions have gotten the better of him yet again this season, a little more restraint is in order.

This will be another chance for RSL to do something impressive, a chance to be in first place, if even for a few days, or possibly even to be there at the All Star match is something very rare in any sport. For RSL it would be a landmark accomplishment and given the recent streak of positive media coverage and the announcement of us hosting the 2009 All Star match, really could help bring in new fans and keep the media looking at the good things being done by the organization both on and off the pitch.

The Match Up

So you have a team that scores a lot and give up a lot facing off with a team that is the polar opposite, so something is likely to give in this one. The Crew have scored a goal in each of their last 3 matches after the 70^th minute, including two goals after the 85^th minute in both the LA and Chicago ties. RSL on the other hand has played very well against Eastern Conference teams at RES, 2-0-2 with victories over New England and DC United. Draws against KC and Chicago prove that RSL is more than a handful when playing on the turf. I get a feeling that RSL is ready to finally take that step up and let the league know that they are no longer anyone’s whipping boys, a 3-2 barnburner will provide some great highlights as RSL ascends to the top of the Western Conference.

GAME GUIDE

Don’t forget to stop by Leo’s Pride before the match and pick up a couple of tickets for their drawing.

SEE YOU AT THE MATCH

This entry was posted on July 11, 2008 at 11:03 pm and is filed under The soapbox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.