Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA leg 2
So Real Salt Lake headed into the match with a one goal lead from leg one a match that saw them dominate every aspect of the match, but could Chivas regroup? Each side made a couple changes to their lineup, RSL brought in Robbie Russell to fill in for an injured Ian Joy, and Dema Kovalenko is in, while Andy Williams is back on the bench. For Chivas, Atiba Harris takes Braun’s spot and Jim Curtin in for Zotinca, and Preki stays with Thornton in goal.
0-10 minutes
So the big question is would RSL be as aggressive as they were last week and how could Chivas counter, also what happened to the rule about streamers interfering with play? I keep forgetting that rules only get enforced when the league wants them to. I am not sure what happened to Clint but he was down at midfield just two minutes into the match, as the field crew and players attempt to clean up the hundreds of streamers on the pitch.
I am a little concerned that RSL is already playing long balls into the area, what was their advantage in match one was the fact that they held possession of the ball and worked forward in a very tactical way. Early on it looks like the passing of Chivas is a bit more accurate than that of RSL, but already this match has a very physical nature and I don’t think it is going to get better. I am still amazed how many Chivas supporters show up in jerseys for the Mexican side rather than the US side that they are watching, it really seems to be a blind loyalty to a brand or team rather than a passion for the team they are watching.
Chivas is the sharper side early on and you can see they are playing more aggressively than they did last weekend, they also are doing a better job of attacking the ball than RSL is. Well RSL escaped the first 10 minutes without giving up a goal, but the first yellow card goes to Clint Mathis as the clock hits 10 minutes.
10-20
I do not like what I see out of the defensive effort of RSL, the midfielders are being forced to cover but are not attacking the ball, and instead the back four are being forced to attack the ball when the midfielders should be helping out. A nice long ball played to Yura, but the Chivas defense was there and Mendoza was able to get back to help out in a big way. It looks like RSL is settling down a bit and doing a better job of trying to posses the ball, but Chivas still appear to be the sharper team so far in the match. A deep throw in for RSL, but it is broken up by Chivas, they can’t clear and RSL get another deep throw in, and a foul on Mathis is overlooked at the top of the box. RSL gets the ball back a great ball to Yura, but Thornton comes out just enough to force Yura’s shot to go high over the goal, but it is nice to see that Yura is getting some looks early on in the match.
The match is a lot more even now than it was in the first couple minutes, and Mendoza takes a shot from distance but it is 3 yards wide and goes out for a goal kick, early Kyle is doing a great job of winning the 50-50 balls in the midfield. I still think that RSL is playing too many balls over the top and have to slow down and control the possession battle, a good ball into the area for Atiba but it cleared out without Chivas getting off a shot. Will Johnson takes a long range shot but it sails high over the goal and after 20 minutes we are still at 0-0.
20-30
Russell breaks up a Chivas counter and again Clint is taken down from behind but no call again, a horrible foul and Chivas get their first yellow to Nagamura for a foul on Johnson. The free kick ends up with a header over the top of the goal as RSL are not looking good on their set pieces tonight. Olave makes a mistake on the back line but Russell is there to back him up and RSL dodge what could have been a dangerous attack. Neither side is really controlling the match, each are just reacting to the other and it makes for a much uglier match than last week, a nice attempted pass by Yura gets cut off. Atiba is getting to know Olave very well tonight and again a foul against a RSL player is overlooked as Atiba stomps on Olave’s ankle, but no card and not even a foul is called.
We all know how physical Atiba can be, but that was a dirty shot, and when RSL is down a man Chivas attacks, a save by Rimando punches the ball out but Chivas plays it back across the box but it goes out, then another shot punched away by Nick and now Chivas have their first corner kick of the night. A couple fouls in the box get overlooked but a cheeky foul in the box by Morales on Razov gets called and Chivas gets a PK, but it is clear that this one is getting really nasty as the clock hits 30. Sasha is taking the shot and he puts it past Rimando and Chivas are now up 1-0 just as the clock hits 30:00.
30-40
Can RSL counter this? Will the official make a couple calls and get the match back under control? RSL are coming back with a very tough attack, but once again this match is really being impacted by calls and non calls by the official. RSL gets a nice shot on goal but a save by Thornton, the bodies are really flying and diving at every ball as you can tell that this match has a lot at stake and now with both teams even with a goal each, it is like starting all over again.
Wow now after being taken down a couple times Mathis gets a call on a slight push in the back, a free shot from just 5 yards outside of the box and Javi lines up to take it, he plays a nice ball into the box and Kyle’s header goes wide of the goal. A nice shot of the RSL fans that got stuck in the corner is shown on TV, a nice size group made the trip to LA from Salt Lake. A bad give away by Chivas but Yura can’t do anything with it, but Chivas fail to clear and the ball ends up with Javi crossing it and a diving header by Dema and we are tied up at 1-1 just before the 40th minute and RSL takes the overall lead again. The clock hits 40 and the match is tied at one each, but that favors RSL.
40-halftime
Russell breaks up a Mendoza counter attack and Chivas still appear to be the sharper team but RSL seems to be working harder, a yellow card to Dema for a foul on Mendoza but this match is going crazy and Jason is up and yelling at Michael Kennedy as it is clear that this match is really getting out of hand. I hope the calls start being made both ways, because so far it is clear that some obvious fouls are not being called. Chivas get a great chance, but Razov tries a shot but it ends up going to Nagamura but the offside flag is up and the ball stays out of the goal anyhow.
This match really is physical as both sides are pulling out all the stops, Javi gets the ball in the box, but the support is slow getting there, another hard foul by Atiba doesn’t get called and Chivas gets the ball back. Russell blocks the Mendoza pass and RSL gets the ball back and are working their way down the pitch. Dema’s cross is blocked out by Thomas so RSL has a throw in deep in the Chivas third of the pitch but their effort ends up with the ball going off a RSL player and Chivas have the ball back, but they give it up and Wingert attack but his cross is poked away by Chivas and the threat is shut down.
Chivas has a free kick from 20 yards out an it ends up being no threat RSL plays a long ball up to Yura but he over runs the ball and it goes back to Chivas and the half is over with the teams knotted at 1 each but again that means that RSL holds the advantage.
45-55
Well as the second half kicks off Chivas is making their first change of the night bringing in Alecko for Curtin, it is clear that Chivas knows they have to score at least one more goal to force extra time, so much like the changes RSL made last weekend the goats are bringing in offense for defense, the big question will be can RSL take advantage of change and get behind the Chivas defense. Early on Yura gets the ball deep in the Chivas end, Yura’s cross is deflected right back to him and his shot goes through the box and misses Will Johnson who was wide open on the other side of the box.
RSL has to do a better job on set pieces, I would rather we play it short and build our offensive attack, long balls too often are just turned over without any real threat being created. Olave and Atiba run into each other again and takes a finger to the eye by Atiba who then gets into a pushing match with Kyle. I am not sure how the hell Atiba hasn’t gotten a card yet, and it is interesting to see Borchers make a long run through the midfield and into a dangerous position but his shot goes wide and out for a Chivas goal kick. Another foul as Javi is tripped from behind and give RSL another free kick from 30 yards out, and the end result is a ball into the box as Russell rushes but Thornton pushes it out, then Olave tries a long shot from 40 yards but no real threat. RSL is looking much beter in the second half and doing a better job of trying to possess the ball.
Great ball by Clint to Yura, who takes a great shot but a big time save by Thornton pushes it to safety but this is a much better look by RSL as they look to add to their advantage and get the lead in this match. A good ball to Will who takes a shot but it is blocked, falls to Mathis who turns but it goes off Yura and eventually Chivas gets it out of danger. Chivas counters but Razov’s shot goes just wide as the clock hits 55 and we are still tied at 1-1.
55-65
Chivas is making another change and bringing in Braun for Talley, as Preki brings another forward in and takes out another defender, it is clear that Chivas is doing their best to get a late goal and making their changes to try and get something to counter RSL, who have really owned the first 10 minutes of the second half. Esky gets the ball at the edge of the box, but it is broken up and RSL counters but the pass to Yura is intercepted but Chivas give the ball back to RSL but nothing comes to the chance. Chivas looks a bit confused as to who is supposed to be in what position, they have so many people out of position.
Esky takes a very long shot that goes high over the goal off of Borchers and Chivas get another corner kick, a nice ball by Razov but nobody gets on the end of it and it falls out for a RSL goal kick. As we hit the one hour mark of the match tied up a 1 a piece RSL still holds the advantage with the goal from last weekend. It is nice to see that Jason hasn’t looked to make any changes yet to try and protect the lead, the aggressive style has worked well for RSL over the last month. Chivas gets a throw in but they have to play it back out to midfield to try and organize an attack, into the box, but it is cleared out by Johnson, another ball into the box but Esky can’t get to it as it is pushed out by Borchers, this time the corner kick is again well played but ends without a shot being taken.
Braun gives up the ball deep in the RSL end and again Olave gets fouled by Harris, and again where is the yellow card? Chivas gives it away, Yura gets the ball deep but his shot is just inches off and ends up in the side netting.
65-75
Chivas gets the ball back and this time look more deliberate in their attack, the Chivas fans have a huge banner in the endzone but will it be enough to get their team motivated enough to score another goal? Chivas have really done a nice job in the last few minutes of controlling the possession, it is clear the fresh legs have given them a boost, and the RSL counter is broken down by an offside call on Yura.
Once again the bodies are flying and diving all over the pitch as everybody knows how important this is, Yura gets a long ball, the pass is off to Dema and Chivas break up what looked to be a really good chance for RSL. Johnson breaks up the Chivas attack, another no call as Javi gets hammered at midfield. Esky gets a good look, the ball is punched away by Nick who has been spot on in this match, Chvias continue to attack as RSL are on their heels. Javi is moving past everyone and has a one on one with Thornton, but Javi can’t get the shot on goal, a really good chance is missed. Robbie Findley is coming into the match for Mathis and Jason makes an offensive move to boost the pace vs. trying to bunker down and defend, a great call with 20 minutes left in the match.
RSL looks like they just drank a red bull as their energy level appears to rising with the addition of Findley, but again Atiba commits a foul, this time on Russell and still no card for some reason. There are a number of Chivas players who look like they are running on empty, but they are still trying to attack. Wow a bad foul from behind on Findley by Marsch but again no card.
75-85
A good ball played in by Chivas but it is cleared out. Findley makes a run but can’t get a shot off, so he passes to Javi who gets past a defender and five holes Thomas and scores the goal and RSL are up 2-1 in the match and 3-1 overall with less than 15 minutes left. Chivas now is very desperate and they are throwing everyone up, a long ball to Robbie but it gets to Thornton first. Chivas get a shot, but save by Rimando. Jason makes another move Yura is out and Andy Williams is in and should give some more energy and better possession for RSL as they try to counter the Chivas attack. Chivas have a free kick from 5 yards out of the box, but straight to Rimando who makes the save.
Wingert takes the free kick but it goes out and Chivas get the ball back and they play a long ball but it goes right to Nick who gathers it up without any trouble. A good ball to Findley, who takes a shot but Thornton is right there and makes the save. Robbie is dangerous but without finishing he is going to continue being on the bench vs. starting, and Chivas counters on a nice ball played to Braun from Mendoza and Braun makes it 2-2, but RSL still have the overall advantage but the late goal look to give them a real boost of energy. The fans are back into the match for Chivas, and another foul committed by Atiba gives RSL the ball deep in their own end.
85-90+
Chivas is doing a nice job of trying to put together an attack as opposed to just playing long balls into the area. Razov gets a card for a foul on Javi, as Chivas make their final change bringing in Zotinca for Atiba, and RSL brings in Fabi for Javi. How will these changes impact the final few minutes of regulation time? I am amazed that the RSL defense continues to push forward as much as they do, Mendoza give up a ball after a good run. Robbie again makes a huge run and takes a shot on goal, but once again it is right at Thornton who pushes it to safety.
Chivas gets a chance as Razov plays a wonderful ball to Sasha at the top of the box who fires a shot just high and RSL breathes a sigh of relief, but Chivas continue to attack and with 5 minutes of stoppage time they will get a few more chances to try and get the match to extra time. Fabi breaks down the defense but his pass is just a bit long for Andy and Chivas gets the ball right back, and I have a new favorite football term “autobahn football”, and based on the all out effort by both teams and the frantic pace of both matches it is a term that really fits.
A bad pass gets taken away by Will who makes a good pass to Robbie, who gets fouled and a free kick from just two yards outside of the box and RSL could seal the deal right now, but RSL instead look to kill the clock instead of taking a shot on goal and it eats up a good minute of the clock. Just over a minute of stoppage time left and RSL get the ball back for a throw in, and they play it long into the Chivas end. Fabi gives up a ball at midfield and Chivas play it into the box, a shot by Esky but again Nick makes the save and gathers up the ball and that is it the final whistle blows and RSL is moving on to the Western Conference final match.
Final Score 2-2 and 3-2 over the two legs of the match. Well Sunday saw New York defeat Houston 3-0 in a match that saw both teams play well but Houston couldn’t finish their chances, and that means that another match will be played at Rio Tinto. On Saturday night at 7:30 RSL will get a chance to make it to the MLS Championship match, we played New York to a 1-1 draw last month and both teams are playing better now, so it should be a real barn burner. More on Monday.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
This entry was posted on November 10, 2008 at 12:34 am 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.