No Time Change
October 29, 2009 by f4denz.
Well the powers that be (somewhere in MLS HQ) have decided not to allow RSL to change their match time on Saturday to 2pm, so we are locked into that 4pm start time. make sure to get your tickets now and let’s do our best to give the team a huge boost of energy as they look to establish a lead in the series and hopefully can hang 4 goals on Columbus like we did last time they came to Rio Tinto.
A time change for RSL?
October 29, 2009 by f4denz.
Well with the decision of New England to move their match from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, nobody is really sure why but since MLS prevents playoff teams from playing at the same time (stupid rules because not all matches are covered by national media). Anyhow this opens up a chance for RSL to make a last minute change to their scheduled match, which currently is scheduled for 4pm on Saturday and for many is conflicting with Halloween and the U of U football (pointyball) game. So there is a chance that RSL may move their match up a couple hours to allow more fans to attend the match and still have time to get home for trick or treaters or make their way up to Rice Eccles for the game. All of this will add to some confusion for fans but I think the earlier start time could be helpful to allow people to enjoy their choice of activities this weekend.
So it is Halloween on Saturday and RSL is trying to take advantage of that by having some fun, first they are going to have the first 250 kids in costumes be on the field for the prematch Parade of Kings (you have to meet at 3:15 above section 13) and remember only the first 250 kids get to take part. They also are going to be doing some version of trick or treating before the match, still waiting on details if that will be part of carnival real or inside the stadium (maybe both?). Anyhow I love that they are trying to turn a bad situation of having to play a match on a holiday into a good thing and given the chilly nights having the match while the sun is still up should allow everyone to enjoy a great match without getting too cold.
So I have to laugh that I got a copy of the MLS official playoff guide, and it has 9 pages of all the scenarios about yellow and red cards in the playoffs. Hey MLS here is a hint if your rules need 9 pages of graphs to explain you have way too complicated of rules, and maybe if you focused more on the officials than on how to suspend and fine players for cards you might just have fewer fans upset at the horrible quality of your officials.
So the playoffs kick off tomorrow evening on ESPN2, with Houston going up to Seattle to face the most favored team of the networks. Trust me you will hear at least a half dozen times how great it is that Seattle made the playoffs, and how it would be so awesome that Seattle made to MLS Cup. That match will kick off at 8pm MST, and should be a good match and I have to admit I find it funny that even MLS has jumped on the Seattle bandwagon so hard (here is there preview of the matchup) and they totally ignore the fact that since July 25th Seattle has struggled at home:
0-0 draw against Chicago
2-0 win against LA Galaxy
1-0 loss against New England
0-0 draw against Toronto
0-0 draw against Chivas
2-1 win over FC Dallas
So to me seeing that they have just 4 goals at home in their last 6 matches it is hard to think they would be a favorite against Houston the league’s second best road team with 6 wins and 16 goals for and 16 goals against. I think the recent form for Houston has had a lot to do with their busy schedule that included 4 Champions League matches in the last two months on top of their 5 MLS matches and a Charity match, while Seattle has played just 6 matches in the last two months, so Seattle might be a bit fresher and rested but after their first round loss to New York I believe that Houston will not be so easy to beat this time around. Yes Seattle has a lot of fans, and are on the verge of becoming some of the best fans in the league and they are all seeing visions of MLS Cup, but one has to wonder how they will do if they can’t get a home win against Houston? I am going to pick this first match to end up as either a 0-0 or 1-1 draw and with Ricardo Salazar being the head official one thing is clear there should be no shortage of calls and cards in the match.
A late update for RSL fans, it was announced tonight that Robbie Findley can add the goal of the week honors to his player of the week honors. I think it is a great call and the effort that Robbie showed on that second goal was very impressive.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Win 4 and shock the world