Real Salt Lake back in action and facing epic battle
My Take
Well after a long layoff RSL is finally back in action, and while the match against Houston may not be ‘epic” it is the most important match so far this season for RSL for a number of reasons. Topping the list, it is a battle between the first and second place teams in the Western conference with only a point separating the two teams, add in the fact that RSL has struggled on the road and a victory in Houston would send a clear message to the league that RSL is a team that has to be taken seriously, and finally the matchup is Houston’s chance to rebound after an agonizing defeat in the SuperLiga final. Last week this looked like a #2 vs. #3 in the ESPN power rankings, but both Houston and RSL fell in this weeks rankings (despite not playing MLS action) to #3 and #5 respectively.
Houston for the first time all season, is healthy (no reported injuries), and at full strength with no suspensions or international team call ups. The Dynamo are also out to prove a point, that their slow start is not the real deal, but that they have what it takes to make a run at a third straight MLS Cup title. In their last 8 matches they are 4-1-3 and they are on a 5 game unbeaten streak in which they have only given up 1 goal and scored 5. Their last two matches are both 2-0 victories, over DC United in that match that took forever to finish (rescheduled twice, then delayed for hours because of weather), and then a victory two weeks ago over Columbus.
RSL has not done well playing in Houston, in 3 matches they have no wins or ties and have scored 5 goals while giving up 8. Overall play between Houston and RSL has always been close of the 8 all time meetings Houston is 4-2-4 against RSL and have scored 11 goals in those 8 matches while giving up 10 goals. One fact in RSL’s favor is that Brian Ching the leading score for the Dynamo this year has never scored against RSL, Houston’s top scorer when facing RSL is Nate Jaqua who last year got a hat trick in the Sept. 8th 4-3 Houston win at Robertson Stadium. In fact no other Houston player has scored more than one goal against RSL, but only 3 current RSL players have ever scored against Houston (Beckerman, Findley, and Espindola) and each of them have only scored once.
RSL will have to see how their defense holds up without Jamison Olave, who is serving a one game suspension for accumulation of yellow cards. Injuries will keep Nathan Sturgis and Tony Beltran from seeing action, but Espindola is expected to be in the 18 but not starting. It is unsure if Clint Mathis will be travelling with the team or not. RSL has been the strongest defensive team in MLS over the last two months, giving up only 3 goals in their last 9 matches (4-1-4) including a 1-1-1 record on the road. RSL has continued to struggle to score goals during that stretch, scoring just 7 goals in those 9 matches and having four 0-0 draws.
This is going to be an interesting match up, and I fear that RSL will give up an early goal simply due to not playing a real match in 18 days. I do hope that with the addition of Robbie Russell filling in for the suspended Jamison Olave that the RSL defense will keep the high standard set over the last couple months. I also believe that RSL will show that same toughness to rebound as they have in the past and not only pull even (normally a road draw would be a good thing), but to go for the win. Jason and his staff understand that this is a “Statement” game and anything short of a victory will leave a lot of questions on RSL’s ability to finish off this season well enough to keep a playoff spot. I am going to go out on a minor limb and predict a 2-1 win for RSL.
Other Takes
MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo v. Real Salt Lake goal.com
The Gist: The perennial contenders Houston Dynamo host upstarts Real Salt Lake with first place on the line. The two-time defending MLS Cup champs have not played since losing to New England in the SuperLiga final eleven days prior to this tilt. However, Houston have not lost in their past four league games.
Real Salt Lake will try to end that streak, but to do so they will need to improve upon their dreadful road record. Perhaps the biggest chink in their armor, a road win against a team many feel is the best in the West would send a message that Salt Lake are for real.
Other News
RSL’s Williams Battles On and Off the field goal.com
Reggae Boyz. Bomma. Long sleeves. World Cup. MLS Cup. Caramel Macchiato.
What do all these things, including the Starbucks addiction, have in common?
Andy Williams.
The well-traveled midfielder for Real Salt Lake has found a place to call home here in Salt Lake City, but finds himself currently in the midst of a couple of important battles.
Soccerunitesutah.com Site dedicated to raising funds to help the Williams family out.
RSL: Is second time a charm for Clint Mathis? Sltrib.com
Three years ago, during Real Salt Lake’s inaugural 2005 season, Clint Mathis arrived with high expectations, both for himself and for his team. When that tenure lasted for 27 games, and didn’t end under the best of circumstances, the thought of Mathis returning to RSL seemed far-fetched at best.
But apparently, it wasn’t as far-fetched as some would’ve thought, as RSL on Thursday acquired Mathis from the Las Angeles Galaxy, the team that held his rights while he played the bulk of this season for Ergotelis FC of the Greek Super League.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
This entry was posted on August 15, 2008 at 3:34 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.