March 31, 2009 by f4denz.

So it is Tuesday night and I will be rewatching the RSL vs. SSFC match and offering my take on the match. My opinions will reflect what I see on the television coverage combined with what I saw from the sidelines of the match, because I can tell you that what I have read online seems to be much more negative than what I saw from the sidelines. So here goes:

Prematch

So if you were to take the emotions of the Western Conference Finals last year at Rio Tinto and add 10,000 more people to it all of them as loud and as into the match as the RSL fans were then, add in a chilly 43 at the start and 36 degrees at the end, and wet (it had rained and drizzled) almost all day, and then top it all off with a surface that was slick and something that affected play in the match. This is an impressive facility and clearly the money a NFL franchise was willing to spend on a stadium allows for that, they simply presented a great event in a incredible professional environment, their fans were great (OK 95% of them were great, there were a few drunks who simply tried to ruin the day for others). What their fans are lacking in depth of soccer knowledge and still learning who their players are, they make up with their passion

The starting lineups are:
RSL- Rimando, Beltran, Olave, Borchers, Wingert, Mathis, Beckerman, Morales, Johnson, Findley, and Movsisyan(Seitx, Alexandre, Grabavoy, Cox, Nunez, Horst, Williams)

SSFC- Keller, Evans, Alonso, Riley, Le Toux, Zakuani, Marshall, Montero, Scott, Jaqua, Hurtado (Dragavon, Ianni, Wahl, Ljungberg, Sturgis, King, Levesque)

0-10

If you can’t enjoy a match live, then High Def TV is the next best thing, and RSL starts the match with the ball first and go right into the attack with a long ball over the top. Robbie ends up with the ball just outside the 18 but tries to pass it vs. turning and taking a shot and it ends up with SSFC getting the ball, the first couple minutes are a bit sloppy as both sides are trying to get used the conditions. RSL gets called for the first foul of the night, and even early on they mention that tonight’s match has a very card happy (and foul happy) official in charge. Early there is a little communication issue between Nick and the back line but no harm comes of it, and it looks like SSFC will clearly be happy with playing the ball out and resetting their defense vs. taking too many chances. A nice pass by Montero goes a bit long and Rimando cleans it up, already we have seen more than a foul a minute being called. Neither team has done much with the ball, Yura plays a nice ball but it is just a bit long for an onrushing Findley and it rolls to Keller who picks it up, and the Seattle fans at least know his name, I am not sure how many keepers in the league get their name chanted for just picking up a ball but hey, whatever works.

Seattle plays a long ball but Olave is there and passes it back to Rimando who clears it, SSFC get it back and a nice pass by Riley but the RSL defense is up to the task, not sure why the hip check on Wingert deep in the SSFC final third wasn’t called but the Seattle counter is broke up by Mathis and RSL has a nice counter going but the ball gets away from Beltran, and in the 10^th minute Kyle Beckerman gets a yellow card for a foul on Montero, but I can see the foul and the card.

10-20

Well neither team has looked impressive or created much in the way of chances, or controlled much of the possession. Hey it is nice when you can see yourself on the TV, Yura gets the first real shot of the night and Keller pushes it over the top of the goal for the first corner kick of the night. A decent ball played in by Javi, but nothing comes of it and Seattle gets the ball back and a bad clearance attempt but RSL finally gets the ball back to the midfield line. We are not clearing the ball well, so far Clint and Yura look to be the sharpest players for RSL, while Beckerman looks really slow and the shot from Seattle is blocked by Borchers and their corner kick is a bit more dramatic but eventually cleared out of the box. Rimando makes a good move to stop a shot by Montero and another SSFC corner kick, this one is cleared easily but Seattle keep possession of the ball, a bad turnover by Beltran but RSL recover and no real harm comes of it. Wow a nice move by Zakuani who gets the ball in to Jaqua who doesn’t miss and it gets by Rimando for a goal in the 17^th minute and Seattle leads 1-0. That goal really started by a great pass from Alonso to Zakuani who was open and able to get a great ball crossed into the box. So at the twenty minute mark I am left wondering where is Morales? He has hardly touched the ball tonight and without him helping control the match we could be in trouble. A second yellow card, this one for Seattle and it is on Alonso for a late tackle with the studs up on Johnson.

20-30

The last yellow card is followed very quickly by another this time on Javier on a collision with Alsonso, a weak card on very light contact between two players going for a 50-50 ball, with two cards already on our midfielders it will really limit how they can play defensively and with the inability to control the possession they will be busy trying to defend in the midfield. Nice ball by Mathis but Robbie is just a step behind and Keller makes another save. Seattle gets a chance but Rimando makes a big save as RSL are on their heels and unable to get the ball back from them deep in their own end.

Again it just looks like Kyle is a bit slow tonight, he just got out hustled to a ball by Alonso who has looked impressive early in the match. I am not sure if he is hesitant and wanting to get beat defensively, but it is clear that he doesn’t look comfortable tonight. A bad ball by Wingert gives up the ball deep in the RSL end and two bad attempts to clear the ball by Olave and Beckerman, finally Seattle takes a bad shot that goes slowly wide past the goal.

30-40

One thing that the Seattle staff will have to figure out is how to organize their ball kids, at least 3 times in the first 30 minutes we have had multiple balls on the pitch, welcome to expansion land. Wow another horrible clearance by RSL, this time it was Borchers and it results in a Jaqua shot that goes wide. Mathis gets the ball into Yura but it goes wide and another chance is gone, Yura muscles by the defender and puts a ball on goal but it floats to Keller and he makes an easy save.

Findley plays a nice ball into the box but it goes over to Seattle and they counter with a pass to Montero who looks offside to me, but it ends up with a SSFC corner kick but nothing comes of the effort and it ends with a RSL goal kick, but RSL can’t keep possession and Tony has to make a great tackle to get the ball away from Montero who was trying to break away. That might have just saved a second Seattle goal, I am still not impressed by either teams possession, they attack again and this time Tony pokes it out of bounds as Zakuani tries to get by him again. RSL is just really having issues clearing the ball, Findley with a nice effort deep in the Seattle end and earns a corner kick for RSL but this time Olave is taken down in the box but Clint gets off a shot and Keller fumbles the save as he tries to go over Borchers. Seattle try to counter quickly but it is broken up and RSL get possession back but once again the ball is playing very fast on this wet turf and it goes out of bounds and back to Seattle.

40-halftime

The last five minutes have looked better for RSL who have controlled the possession better than they have at any other time in the first half, a bad turnover by Morales and a ball into the box but Olave is all over Le Toux and the ball is back in the possession of RSL. Some nice play by Beckerman and Morales but the cross by Wingert is cleared easily by Seattle and they are back into the attack, a foul from behind on Javi breaks up a good chance, they get a call but no card this time. RSL is trying to get the ball into the box but so far they are having little success in getting it there, and even less when they do as they are clearing the ball well. Olave is marking Montero tight but I don’t see the call as Fredy goes down easily but the push in the back was all that it took, well that and some play acting by Fredy. Seattle has been getting their set pieces into the box but unable to create any real offensive chances. The first half whistle blows.

45-55

Well it is nice that they showed the 50 or so RSL fans that made the trip up to Seattle, but the play on the pitch has to improve if RSL wants to reward those loyal fans. Seattle gets a quick corner kick as the second half starts and Olave clears it out but they give the ball to RSL, not sure what the ref was looking at but I will take it. Javi plays a good ball to Yura but he gives it up to Hurtado who pokes it away, and a foul is called on Seattle on the goal kick but RSL plays a long ball in but nobody is on the receiving end, it is nice to see that Javi is getting more involved in the first minutes of the second half. A nice ball to Johnson but he can’t control it and it goes back to Seattle but once again Olave stops the progress and RSL counters with a long ball to Yura who is one on one with Keller but Kasey is up to the save, the rebound bounces to Mathis who fires a shot that goes just wide, and that was the best RSL chance so far in the match but they look much sharper in the first five minutes of the second half than they did in the first. A nice cross into the box by Beltran but it is cleared by Seattle, but RSL gets it back and is doing a better job of possession and winning the 50-50 balls. Wingert plays a long ball into the box but there again is nobody on the receiving end of the pass, if you’re going to play long ball, then you have to have people in the box and RSL is missing that part.

So far in the match Olave and Mathis really have been impressive, Yura has looked good and Beltran has recovered nicely from the early struggles, Javi and Kyle both look better early in the second half, than they did in the first half. A nice ball in by Javi off a free kick but Findley’s header goes over the goal and out for a Seattle goal kick. You really don’t get a good sense of the energy in the stadium from the TV coverage, but trust me it was intense.

55-65

The first nice attack of the second half by Seattle but again Olave is there and clears it out over the back line but it leads to the 8^th corner kick for Seattle but it out over the top of the goal for a RSL goal kick, and a shot of the other Freddie on the sidelines getting ready to come in. RSL really is pushing up as they look to equalize, a long ball by Wingert is a bit long and it goes out off a Seattle player for a RSL corner, but Seattle clears it but RSL keep s possession, a ball to Will who plays it into the box and Mathis gets it to Yura but the shot deflects off a Seattle player for another corner, but eventually the ball goes back to Seattle.

Rimando picks the ball up off the line of the 18 yard box and RSL again is on the attack but Keller makes a save and Seattle counters but Olave slows it down as he plays the ball out of bounds. Olave slips on the turf but Seattle is unable to take advantage and their shot goes wide. In come Ljungberg for Seattle and the fans go wild, but RSl still controls the ball and again is on the attack, broken up by Seattle and Montero tries to play the ball in the box but Rimando is there to clean it up. RSL again attacks and Seattle breaks it up but again RSL get it right back and Wingert plays a ball in and Findley heads it but then hits Marshall’s head and both players are down. Both are back up and the RSL corner plays pinball around the box but the RSL shot is right at Keller>

65-75

The last few minutes have been back to the sloppy play of the first half for both sides, Yura goes deep and Alonso pokes it out of bounds and RSL have a deep throw in. Freddie thought he had Will beat but Will pulls it back like a yo-yo, and RSL again attacks Mathis in the box but he passes to Javi who passes to Yura but his shot goes wide. Rimando’s goal kick goes out of bounds at midfield and Seattle get the ball back. Yura gets a good ball deep and crosses it into the box but only the head of a Seattle player is there but RSL gets a corner, it bounces around and out for another RSL corner kick. This one is cleared by Seattle and they look to counter but Kyle slows down Freddie and Will pokes it away from him and now RSL has the ball for a throw in deep in the Seattle end. Seattle brings in Sturgis for Jaqua as Seattle looks to defend their lead against an improved RSL attack, Seattle gets a good attack but Olave again pushes it out of bounds. I still see the RSL players struggling with their footing on the turf but they are trying to make the best of it, Beckerman fires a shot from 35 and it is just wide of the goal and a diving Keller. RSL pull Findley for Andy Williams, and as the RSL attack continues the Seattle defense is simply too much to get past.

75-85

For some reason my recording of the match has lost audio, but I have to say that the RSL effort in the second half has looked much better than the first half. So Javi gets fouled by Alonso deep in the Seattle final third but no call and Javi just lies there as Seattle counters and Fredy Montero cracks a shot past Borchers who is too far back and Rimando can’t get to it. Seattle 2- RSL 0, Javi is on one knee as the shot is taken. RSL is back on the attack and get two straight corners but neither is much of a threat as Keller finally pulls the ball down and clears it deep. I still have no audio as the match enters the 80^th minute and RSL is trying to stop a SSFC counter, nice ball by Fredy to Freddie but it is broken up by RSL yet again.

Seattle is looking to get a third goal but the ball into the box by FL is long and Rimando grabs it befoer FM can get to it. RSL push back into the attack, Beltran tries to cross the ball but it is blocked out by Riley and Seattle tries to counter but it is broken up by RSL. Yura is taken down about 10 yards outside of the box and RSL try to build some type of attack, they really are controlling possession in the second half but being down two goals with less than 10 minutes means you have to get shots on goal. Raphael Cox makes his MLS debut for Tony Beltran who I think recovered nicely from some early mistakes and miscues.

85-final

I can say one thing about RSL since Jason took over the role of coach, they do not quit. In years past being down 2 on the road with 5 minutes to go RSL would pack it in and call it a night, that is no longer the case as RSL continue to fight and claw as they try to get their first goal of the 2009 MLS season. Cox plays a nice ball to Javi who gets it to Wingert who tries a horrible long distance effort that sails high and wide. Another nice pass by Cox to Yura and Seattle kicks it out for a throw in, another long distance effort right into the arms of Keller, and now the other RSL rookie Jean Alexandre comes in for the final few minutes for Clint Mathis. I think Mathis had the best effort of the night he created chances for himself and others all night long, another RSL corner kick, this one is punched out by Keller and eventually leads to another corner for RSL, this time it is played short to Andy but he can’t get a shot on goal. RSL fights but Seattle comes out on top this time.

Final score is 2-0 and while RSL looked slow and unable to get organized but Seattle didn’t look much better except on a great ball played in to RSL killer Jaqua who scored the game winner for SSFC. RSL clearly controlled the pace and possession of the second half but could not finish any of their many chances, and when Javi went down easily and stayed down Seattle was able to counter and get a second goal on a great shot by Fredy Montero, who is everything he appears to be, quick, sneaky and very talented. I believe RSL will be able to learn a few things from this loss and move on.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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March 31, 2009 by f4denz.

Well here are some of my pictures from Real Salt Lake’s trip to visit expansion side Seattle Sounders FC. While the result isn’t what RSL fans were looking for the match was closer than the score but a loss is still a loss. I will be re-watching the match Tuesday evening and will post my detailed review of the match then, but for now here are the pictures:

If you want to see more pictures here is the photo album from the match, I will be adding more of them as the week goes along.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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March 31, 2009 by f4denz.

It started on First Kick, a Seattle fan is shown with a scarf but to his misfortune he was holding it upside down and then on Saturday prior to the Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC match there was this kid who was displayed up on the big screen:

So below there are three crowd shots that I found in my pictures and each of them is a link to a higher resolution copy of the image, click it and play the game of “which way is up?” It is kinda like the old Where’s Waldo books, try to find as many upside down scarves as you can in each photo:

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

I understand the passion of the fans that have a new team to cheer for and support, I love that so many people are behind the team in Seattle. It is good for the sport, the league, the team, and in turn it is good for every MLS team, and every MLS fan. I simply suggest that you might want to pay a little be of attention to details, if the league is going to “pimp” you as their new star team, please try to catch up.

Now before you start spamming away understand it is just a little sour grapes after our loss on Saturday, and to the two guys who I bet $20 on the game with I stopped by your lot but you weren’t there if you make it to Salt Lake for the August match look me up and I will pay you in beer. Just to ensure that nobody thinks I am being too mean, here are some more pictures of the great fans in Seattle.

I will add some more crowd pictures of the crowd later this week. http://connect.roguecavaliers.com/photo/albums/seattle-fans is the place to go for more pictures.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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March 30, 2009 by f4denz.

OK, after interstate closings, iced over roads, extended hotel stays, and over 36 hours in cars over the last 4 1/2 days I have to say I had an incredible time in Seattle.

I need to apologize for not getting my pre-match post up before the match, I planned on going to my hotel before the match and that simply didn’t happen. I did have the Seattle score right as I expected them to score two goals, I was wrong in thinking that we would get 3.

It will take me a couple days to get caught up, first up today are pictures from before the match as the fans of Real Salt Lake enjoy some of the finer establishments of Seattle. Then later tonight I will post some real brief thoughts about the match and match pictures from the RSL 0-2 loss to Seattle, and yes we played better than the score but we still lost a match that we could have gotten a result in. I will also see how my audio from the media lunch interview with Ian Joy and Tony Beltran turned out, also some comments from a 20 minute conversation with GM Garth Lagerway. I also have a fun new game to play called “which way is up” featuring the fans of Seattle and the proof that they are really an expansion team.

Tomorrow I will be doing an in depth match review as I watch the replay of the match, and probably posting more pictures (I have well over a thousand) along with it. On Wednesday I will post a couple things as we get ready for the home opener.

RSL fans invade Seattle

First big ups to the boys of section 26 for doing a great job of getting everyone together in Seattle. The first stop was the Gordon Biersch Brewery in the Pacific Place Mall (note I believe there is no such thing as a pub in a mall):

Stop one of the day, good beer and fun

You have to feel bad for the people around us, they were totally caught by surprise by the loud, good time having soccer fans.

a good mix of fans from all around

Almost every supporters group and some from other cities joined in the fun

If you could only see the looks of the people looking at us, you would think they haven’t ever seen soccer fans before

Eventually mall security asked us to leave

People have gathered in downtown Seattle to support their causes, this weekend so did RSL fans

One stop down

On our way to Pike Brewing Company

The history of beer is explained

And the end product is enjoyed

Wiser words have never been spoken

Good times, good beer, good food

She wanted a picture of the crazy people

Group picture in the basement

Another landmark visited

adding some class to a poster

A quick shot in the “home of the Sounders” Fabo Irish Pub

Funny their home is 801, so is ours

One of their stores

Our merchandise was the first sale of the day

more mischief

I have to say that the vast majority of Sounder fans were very cool

Some were very cool

Stop number 3 is the Elysian Fields

More good beer

More good times

Some new accessories

Some more new friends

Some non-friends on the way to the final stop

A far too crowded Pyramid Brewery

Their season tickets

Well this was their last stop and I was on my way to the stadium to pick up my pass and get set for the match. Each of the above photos is a link to a high res copy of the picture you see here, and for more pictures from the days events Click Here and I will be uploading more pictures from the day and the match soon.

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March 28, 2009 by f4denz.

Well I have to admit I am surprised by the answer I was given by Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis when I asked if he thought that RSL needed a 10 goal scorer in order to improve on 2008. Jason said calmly and with confidence, “no”, he asked me how many 10 goal scorers did Columbus have and I had to say none. Jason believes that he simply needs more goals from more players in 2009, I agree.

RSL currently has just 4 strikers on their roster; Yura Movsisyan (7 goals, 1 assist), Robbie Findley (6 goals, 5 assists), Tino Nunez (1 goal), and new comer Luis Miguel Escalada who despite being just 23 has played with Boca Juniors, and other South American teams. Yes Clint, Andy, and Will all can play as forwards if needed but it will likely be combinations of the 4 that see most of the action in 2009, I do expect that we might just see a midseason move to bring in more attacking depth to the RSL roster.

Escalada looked good in practice and in limited time against Austin, until a hard foul lead to a sprained ankle which will keep him out of action this weekend

If Yura can play all season like he did the last 11 matches of the 2008 season, then RSL will have a real offensive powerhouse to boost the attack.

Robbie is as quick as ever and it looks like his off season work overseas is ready to pay off in 2009

Tino Nunez takes on Robin in practice, I think Tino could be a real surprise in 2009 as it looks like he could get more playing time.

The rest of the west

Chivas – In 2008 Chivas had 3 guys with 5 goals (Esky, Sacha, and Razov), 2 guys with 4 goals (Braun, and Marsch), 2 guys with 3 (Harris, and Flores) all of them are back and then you need to add in Galindo (who for Chivas sake hopefully be healthy) and Eduardo Lillingston. A lot of balance but when your top scoring threats are in the midfield, you have some issues that need to be addressed.

Colorado - Connor Casey had 11 goals in 2008, followed by Cummings with 6, Clark and McManus with 5 each. Casey and Cummings will be their top duo in 2009 and supported by Richardson (a hit with Joe Public), Peterson who only could get one goal in 2008 in 17 matches, and then add in rookie Ross Schunk. Casey looked good in 2009 but with only really two threats it will be easy for defense to shut him down.

FC Dallas - Kenny Cooper and Jeff Cuningham both have shown the ability to score in MLS action, but with only Peri Marosevic and David Ferreira to back them up they find themselves in the same boat as RSL. That is they have talent but if they suffer an injury or cold streak, will they be able to have an impact and carry a large load.

Houston – I have never really been a fan of Brian Ching, I know he is talented but I am simply not impressed since he is basically the only offensive weapon Houston has. Last season he scored 13 goals, their next leading scorer was DeRo, who is no longer there, with 7 and after it was Jaqua, also gone, with 4 goals. So of their top 3 goals scorers who produced 24 goals between them almost half of that production is gone. Can Kei Kamara fill those shoes? Only time will tell but after Brian and Kei, the pickings for forward get very thin with 18 year old Felix Garcia, and 4 year vet Chris Wondolowski who in 33 games played has scored twice. Without midfield general DeRo and having only really Ching up front, the Dynamo will have to rely on their defense to stay in matches but I think this will be a rough year for fans of the Creamsicles.

LA Galaxy – In 2008 the Galaxy were the league’s best offensive unit with Landycakes 20 goals and 9 assists, and the 15 goals of Edson Buddle and to be honest even without “Golden Balls” for most of the season I still expect LA to have one of the top offenses in the league. They have added Mike Magee and Jovan Kirovski to the mix and while neither Alan Gordon or Bryan Jordan impress much, they can at least eat up minutes. This is the offense to watch out for in the West.

San Jose - The wildcard of the west when it comes to forwards, their leading scorer last season was a midfield who only played half the season (Huckerby-6), so what do you do if your expansion team looking for scoring? You bring in some talent and that is what San Jose is trying to do; Cam Weaver comes back to the states from FK Haugesund in Norway, while Davide Somma was with SJ for a portion of 2008 he really never made and impact and if he doesn’t start to impress soon his time at SJ may be done soon.

Is there a bigger wildcard than Pablo Campos? Maybe not, he went from the Fresno Fuego of the USL developmental league to play in Sweden and now is back in the US with the Quakes, can this young man(24) from Brazil be this years Huckerby for San Jose? Throw in Ryan Johnson who tried to be a weapon last year but was a man on an island and suffered from no support, and rookie Quincy Amarikwa and you end up with what could be the weakest crop of forward in all of MLS.

Seattle – If you were to believe the hype of one game, then you probably believe that Seattle is the best team in MLS instead of just another expansion team. The people in Seattle sure seem to think so, and they will tell you at every grocery store, stop light and anywhere else you run into one of their fans. Everyone is talking about Fredy, and not the underwear guy after a week one 2 goal performance, the 21 year old from Columbia sure appears to be everything the hype has said but we will see how he fares against a more solid defense this week.

Backing up the wonderkid is another wonder, wonder why he simply has never been as good as he could be Nate Jaqua has played for the Fire, Galaxy, and Houston before be taken in the expansion draft by Seattle, with 32 goals over 6 seasons one wonders what will he do in 2009. Nate has always been a thorn in the side of RSL scoring 5 goals in 9 matches against RSL, this may be the only reason they picked him up. They also have Sebastian LeToux and Roger Levesque from the USL version of the Sounders, Kevin Forrest, and Jarrod smith both come with limited MLS experience, but perhaps the real future of SSFC up front is Steve Zakuani. Steve was the number one pick in the 2009 Super Draft and was the Soccer America player of the year for Akron in 2008, he scored 20 goals last year to lead the NCAA. Expansion teams often face issues that they never expected to but having some interesting depth and a couple potential superstars at forward isn’t usually one of them. Seattle could be a real surprise, but only time and real matches will tell.

Who is the best

That is no real question, with Landon on your side you will always have a great offense and if Buddle can equal his 2008 performance then the Galaxy will have no problem being the best offense in MLS, after them is FCD with Cooper and Cunny watch out they could be real trouble for teams in 2009. Seattle is a crap shoot that only time will tell where the dice will land, but they have a ton of potential. RSL simply needs Yura to play like he did the final third of 2008, and Robbie to play like he did in the first third of 2008, it would also be really helpful if we see Escalada do what Olave did last year, go from being obscure to awesome. It is going to be fun watching to see who will step up in 2009 in the West.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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