November 20, 2009 by f4denz.

Well as I am just a few miles outside of Seattle where the season began for RSL 8 months ago, and where in a couple days the season will end with what I believe will be a glorious victory over the galaxy, and what better way to celebrate than to launch my new blog:

http://www.rslsoapbox.com

the layout, and design have changed but I can assure all of you that I will not be changing and that the purpose of the blog is still to take and honest look at the world of RSL. I hope you like the changes. I will be taking some of the old content and moving it but only the most recent posts. It may take a couple days to get all the wanted content moved over but I will also be loading a video in about 90 minutes that be shot live from qwest field.

OFF MY SOAPBOX
Earn The Star

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November 19, 2009 by f4denz.

Wow this has been an insane few weeks for RSL fans, and the fun is just beginning for everyone. First this will be the last native posting on this current blog post, the move will take place on Friday morning as soon as we hit Seattle. I will shot a little video from Qwest field and that will be the launch of the new blog, so about 1pm Friday you will want to check back then and you should find a link to the new site.

But let’s get on to the match, there is still a lot of time and neither team has released a lot of information but I believe we will see lineups very similar to what each team put out for their last matches:

Of course we know that Yura got the start against Chicago and with Fabian still on the mend it will likely be Yura again, a bigger question is Robbie Russell or Tony Beltran? Tony is one of few defenders in the league who this year has gone one on one with Donovan and shut him down. The teams have been so evenly matched over the last 5 years with each team having 5 wins, 5 losses, and 5 draws, the only edge is that RSL holds a single goal edge with 24 scored vs. 23 for LA. This year RSL holds the edge with a 1-0-1 record and 4 goals scored and 2 allowed in the two matchups.

This match comes down to a couple really basic facts, first can RSL control Landon and David? Landon has 6 goals and 6 assists in 11 matches against RSL, while Beck’s has 2 goals in the only match he has played against RSL (last year’s 2-2 draw at RES), but RSL must also beware of Buddle should he get into the match as he has found the back of the net 7 times against RSL in the 11 matches he has seen action in against Real Salt Lake. The RSL backline is one of the best the team has ever put on the pitch, the 35 goals allowed was the lowest in RSL history. It is interesting that the LA offense scored 36 goals this year down from their 55 scored last year, the RSL offense put in 43 goals this year up from the 40 last season and RSL ended up with a +8 goal differential to matchup with LA’s +5. This year LA scored a single goal against RSL in the run of play and one via PK, in the playoffs LA scored 5 goals in their 3 matches with 2 coming from the penalty spot, 2 from the run of play, and one from an indirect free kick.

The LA defense which is much improved in 2009 having allowed just 31 goals, down from their league worst 62 allowed last year, their improved for has lasted in the playoffs allowing just 2 goals in their 3 matches and both came in the run of play. That LA defense gave up 4 goals to the RSL offense this year, and that is the same number RSL has scored in the post season 4 scored, 1 from the PK spot, 1 in open play, 1 off a cross, and one off a corner. Robbie Findley has two of the RSL goals, while Javi Morales and Andy Williams each have one. One interesting stat for you to remember is that the teamwork of RSL has shown in the 4 assists that RSL has in the post season (LA has 1), RSL has taken 36 shots with 15 of them being on goal. While Omar Gonzalez might be the rookie of the year and Sean Franklin is an up and coming star, the slowness of Klein, Kovalenko, Dunivant, and Berhalter will put LA in a huge hole as they try to match up with the RSL speed up top.

So for me if RSL can control Landon as they have done in other matches this year, they will have a huge edge, but they can’t give up silly fouls in dangerous positions because “Golden Balls” has that nickname for a reason as he is still deadly on set pieces both going directly at goal and providing dangerous balls into the area. I think the toughness of Will Johnson and Kyle Beckerman is more than that of former RSL’er Dema Kovalenko, we know Klein is getting old and not as quick as he used to be but he is crafty but so is Andy Williams and based on recent form one would have to pick Andy as the better player. While they won’t probably play too much against each other Javier Morales is good but not as good as he was last year (he has looked better in the playoffs) but he is no Landycakes who is the best American player and the best player in MLS (and the league MVP). I will take Yura and Robbie with their 20 goals and 6 assist in the regular season and their 2 goals and 2 assists over the 7 regular season goals and 6 assists that Buddle and Magee scored, their post season numbers are 1 goal and 0 assists. The back line, no matter what some people think is one of the best in MLS, it is rare that Borchers has an off night and I think he did against Chicago but the backup and support of Olave and others is top notch with both speed and skill. The backline of LA has been much improved in the playoffs but simply will not be able to deal with the speed of RSL, the question is can Robbie and Yura get the ball past Ricketts (the other Donovan)? One also has to know that Nick Rimando is going to be full of confidence after that impressive outing in regulation, stoppage, and finally in PK’s against Chicago.

I think RSL has to play the same way they have since the playoff have started, aggressive, quick, and with sharp passing and making the other team chase them. If they can, then it will be a RSL victory in regulation 2-1, but if they are forced to play a more defensive match it could easily go to stoppage time and could even end in PK’s and with the confidence of last weekend still fresh in their minds, I believe that would give RSL an edge there as well.

In the end it is in the hands of the RSL staff and players to Earn The Star, and bring home the Cup.

Until tomorrow and a whole new world

OFF MY SOAPBOX
Earn The Star

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November 18, 2009 by f4denz.

OK some more news today from RSL HQ:
SANDY, UTAH (Wednesday, November 18, 2009) – Real Salt Lake invites all fans of the Claret-and-Cobalt to give the squad a proper farewell for its first MLS Cup appearance TOMORROW, Thursday, November 19, at 3:30 p.m. MT, when the Utah side will host a “Sendoff to Seattle” rally at the Million Air facility in Salt Lake City (303 North 2370 West), located in the Executive Terminal at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Real Salt Lake players, coaches, and the team’s entire front office staff will be departing for Seattle – the site of Sunday’s MLS Cup 2009 against the Los Angeles Galaxy (6:30 p.m. MT, live on ESPN & TeleFutura) – tomorrow afternoon. The Real Salt Lake travel party will leave for “The Emerald City” on JetBlue’s “RealBlue” airliner, which was christened by the team when it traveled to Southern California for its 2-0 road victory over the Galaxy back in June.

Media members requesting interviews and photo opportunities with RSL’s roster and coaching staff are invited to attend and can contact Trey Fitz-Gerald (tfitz@realsaltlake.com; 801-856-8877) or John Koluder (jkoluder@realsaltlake.com; 801-918-5050) in the RSL Communications Department for further details. Please allow adequate time for parking, which will be located at the executive terminal in front of Million Air’s facilities.

WHAT:      Real Salt Lake “Sendoff to Seattle” rally

WHO:         Real Salt Lake players, coaches, front office staff and fans

WHEN:      3:30 p.m. MT, Thursday, November 19, 2009

WHERE:    Million Air – Salt Lake City (Hangar 1)

                   Salt Lake City International Airport – Executive Terminal

                   303 North 2370 West in Salt Lake City

NOTES:     Parking for fans and media will be available at the Million Air facility

While I will be at work and unable to make this event, I think if you can make it you should, let’s send the team off in grand fashion and show them that we are behind them 100%.

OFF MY SOAPBOX
Earn The Star

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November 18, 2009 by f4denz.

Today RSL held a media event and while I wasn’t able to attend it was OK because the announcement of:

UTAH ENTREPRENEUR DELL LOY HANSEN TO BECOME

CO-OWNER OF MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER’S REAL SALT LAKE

TRANSACTION ALSO INCLUDES RIO TINTO STADIUM AND KALL700 SPORTS TALK RADIO

SANDY, UT – Wednesday, November 18, 2009 – SCP Worldwide and Real Salt Lake Chairman Dave Checketts announced today that Utah entrepreneur and Real Estate developer Dell Loy Hansen has purchased a co-ownership stake in SCP Worldwide’s Utah sports properties – Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS), Rio Tinto Stadium and KALL700 Sports Talk Radio.  The transaction, of which the terms were undisclosed as per both parties, is subject to approval of the Major League Soccer Board of Governors. 

Mr. Hansen, who will serve as Vice Chairman and Alternate Governor for Real Salt Lake, will work closely with Mr. Checketts and his management team at SCP Worldwide regarding the direction and strategy of each business unit as well as the potential real estate development around Rio Tinto Stadium.

“We are delighted to have Dell Loy and his family joining ours,” said Mr. Checketts, who founded Real Salt Lake as Major League Soccer’s 12^th team in July, 2004.  “Many other MLS franchises have been fortunate to have added significant partners to their ownership groups in recent years, but what makes this standout from the others are Dell Loy’s strong local roots and knowledge of the marketplace. For someone with his stature to make a bold statement of support like this speaks volumes to the inroads we have made in this community.    His partnership helps fortify the enterprise and sets us up for long-term success and growth.  I look forward to working closely with Dell Loy and look forward to growing these businesses and deepening their reach into the community together.”

Mr. Hansen, President of Wasatch Property Management, Inc., is a lifelong Utah resident with deep roots in Cache Valley.  His passion to build youth athletic facilities led to the creation of the Sports Academy in North Logan fourteen years ago.   Many truly outstanding swimmers, soccer and tennis players have developed their skills at Sports Academy.    Personal success is at the root of the Academy experience and reflects   Mr. Hansen’s core values.

Under former Utah Governor Michael Leavitt, Dell Loy served nine years on the State’s Board of the Department of Business and Economic Development, two of those years as Chairman.   During that time he came to appreciate the great business opportunities that exist in Utah.

“I was proud to serve Governor Leavitt in growing our economy,” said Mr. Hansen.  “Today, the chance to participate in professional soccer with my family is good for my children and our investment allows a more competitive team to play for Utah.”

But for those of you who read my blog often you will know that we announced this news almost two weeks ago. I still am not sure what I think of the move but an infusion of cash is going to be a good thing for the organization.

OFF MY SOAPBOX
Earn The Star

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November 18, 2009 by f4denz.

Folks this is huge breaking news for RSL fans wanting to see the MLS Cup:

JetBlue Airways, the official airline of Real Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium is offering a special $99 fare (one-way) from Salt Lake City to Seattle to cheer on Real Salt Lake!

The seats are EXTREMELY limited so fans will have to act fast to secure this great rate.

Important Details:
-      $99 one way fare
-      Flights will connect over Long Beach, CA
-      Customers must call 1-800-JETBLUE (these fares are not available on jetblue.com)
-      Mention promo code REAL
-      Travel out of Salt Lake is on Thursday, Friday or Saturday
-      Travel out of Seattle is Monday and Tuesday

-      Seats are extremely limited so act fast!

It is getting harder and harder for people to make excuses on why they can’t go, the price is right, the dates are right, so will I see you there?

OFF MY SOAPBOX
Earn The Star

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