April 3, 2009 by f4denz.

So here is the second goal in the Robbie Findley trio from last night, Real Salt Lake was tied 1-1 with defending MLS Champions Columbus Crew and Will Hesmer makes another mistake. He fails to clear the ball and the end result that it falls to an oncharging Robbie Findley, who simply side steps the keeper and the rest is history. Don’t believe me than just check out the pictures:


After getting by Hesmer, could he be any more alone?

As you see some yellow enter the screen it is simply too late

Imagine the pressure of a wide open net, the home opener, national TV

There is no pressure as the Columbus defense can do little more than watch in horror

as Robbie sets I up

and taps it home

all that is left is to watch is roll over the line

and think about how to celebrate

as the official finally catches up with the play as the ball is in the net

he heads to the goal line

and just a little pose

a little jog with your teammate

and it is back to business, there is more work to be done.

Each of these links back to a picture in my 4-2 Columbus album

OFF MY SOAPBOX

Posted in The soapbox | 2 Comments »

April 3, 2009 by f4denz.

So I thought I would do a mini picture show of the first goal, please remember that I was just getting set up after moving from the other end, so some of the pictures are a bit out of focus but I think the progression of the goal is incredible. This all started after Hesmer stopped a shot but couldn’t control the ball:

The rebound came to Robbie

He puts it right back on goal

Between the legs of the defender and towards a sitting Hesmer

Off his shoulder

On towards the goal

and

there is no saving it

In the goal and Robbie begins to celebrate

So what type of celebration will he do?

looks like an airplane

progressing into

A run towards the boards

could it be

the jump

He is over (my camera loses focus for a couple frames)

Teammates and fans enjoy the celebration

Higher quality copies at http://connect.roguecavaliers.com/photo/albums/42-columbus with more photo’s to come.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

Posted in The soapbox | 1 Comment »

April 3, 2009 by f4denz.

So after a tough loss in Seattle last weekend many people questioned Jason’s confidence in his group of strikers, and against Columbus not only was he justified in his confidence but he had a great smile on his face after the match. He was also quick to point out that Real Salt Lake didn’t play a perfect match, and even with RSL’s first ever hat trick Robbie Findley still made mistakes. I am sure that you will hear excuses from the cynics that will say that Columbus was without Frankie Hejduk, who played 90 of the US Men’s team last night, and Alejandro Moreno only played 30 minutes, but those excuses simply won’t hold water when you consider the stats.

Shots RSL 17 - Columbus 8, Shots on Goal RSL 8 - Columbus 2. I will watch the match again on Friday and post my further thoughts then, for now here are some pictures.

Robbie takes a shot

And just two minutes into the match RSL is up 1-0 as the ball gets past Hesmer


Robbie tries to put one over the top of the keeper but it goes too high

Hesmer fails to clear the ball and Robbie gets by him and has an easy tap in and RSL goes back in front 2-1

Yura gets a chance to go one on one with the keeper but is slowed down, no whistle on this one.

Robbie also gets held in the box, and again no call

Robbie goes high and the ball

past a diving Hesmer, and in for a 3-1 RSL lead.

I didn’t get the 4th goal, it was raining too hard and I had put my camera away. I will post more pictures and higher resolution copies tomorrow, wanted to get these up before I head off to bed.

What a dominating performance by RSL who with the 4-1 win over the 2008 MLS Champions, show that the scoreline last weekend may have been a fluke.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

Posted in The soapbox | 1 Comment »