August 22, 2008 by f4denz.

Will Johnson?

RSL set to acquire Will Johnson soccerbyives.net
Real Salt Lake has emerged as the front-runner to land the services of Canadian striker Will Johnson.

RSL is set to strike a deal with the Chicago Fire for the rights to Johnson, who signed with MLS last week and whose rights are held by the Fire, sources told SBI on Friday. Johnson played for Chicago before going to Dutch club Herenveen in 2006. Details of the deal are still unknown.

Will Johnson profile wikipedia.org

Will Johnson profile canadasoccer.com

So the question is will Ives be right this time, he has improved his record lately but he has been involved in a number of other RSL rumors that proved to be false, but this one could make a lot of sense. First Chicago just signed Brian McBride and has some young talent at forward; the trade window for MLS teams is still open despite the “international window” being closed. Will would fit in well with a deep group of very young strikers (he is just 21), and that is what Jason was looking for.

More on this if I get any more details.

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August 20, 2008 by f4denz.

Well this week Real Salt Lake announced the ticket prices for the two October matches to be held at the new stadium in Sandy, and I was pleasantly surprised by the prices for these matches. $30, 25, 18 are the prices that will be charged to the public, only group sales will be offered to the public for the upper deck and those tickets will go on sale on Sept 2^nd at 10am after a couple things happen:

• People who have 2008 season tickets and have renewed for 2009 will get the seats that they reserved for 2009 for the two matches in October
• People who have 2008 season tickets but have not renewed for 2009 will get new tickets for the two matches based on best available in similar locations to their current seats
• People who do not have 2008 season tickets, but have reserved tickets for 2009 they will be able to buy tickets to the two matches on August 25^th at the group rate price ($25,20,16,15)

These are really fair prices for big events like a new stadium being opened and matches that will have playoff implications, well done RSL, I expect both to sell out very quickly.

Some other news

Andy pays dividends for Jamaica

Jamaica and Canada played to a 1-1 draw in their first match in group play “As for Jamaica, the 52nd-minute goal from Real Salt Lake’s Andrew Williams, just five minutes after Julian de Guzman gave Canada the lead, clinched a valuable road point for the Reggae Boyz. Jamaica is now 2-0-3 in group stage opening matches since CONCACAF adopted its current qualifying format in 1992. “

Saturday doesn’t seem so bad today

While I am still extremely disappointed by the result on Saturday, but with a roster that was far from our top notch it is almost acceptable. RSL put out a good offensive effort, but I think the layoff, injuries, and weather all played major roles in the 4-3 defeat.

So I watched the first 30 minutes of the match up between Houston and Chivas, in which the Dynamo played very similar to how they did on Saturday with two major exceptions. Chivas is not RSL and could not score on Houston, instead it was Houston getting a early goal from Holden in the 11^th minute, followed by Kamara in the 22^nd, Jaqua in the 28^th, and as I look at the final score Kamara put another one in the back of the net in the 35^th minute. That is a huge difference and should help RSL understand some positives from the Saturday match, but the biggest difference is that Houston played without Ching, DeRo, and Onstad all of whom are on national team duty, and all of them did play against Real Salt Lake. Chivas fielded a very similar line up to the team that drew 2-2 with the Galaxy last week, so there is little excuse for them.

Thank god no Ruiz in Salt Lake City

Well it was announced today that Carlos “diving whore” Ruiz is on his way to TFC to team up with fellow basket case Amado Guevara. I say thank you to Garth, Jason and everyone else who simply said “NO” to bringing Ruiz to RSL, I would have had to turn my season tickets in if that piece of poo was allowed to wear our kit. Rumor is that perhaps people in the FO threatened to quit if Ruiz had been brought into RSL, just a rumor.

No Big Signing

I am convinced that while many of us would loved to have sees RSL get a strong offensive player, rumors are that there were a number of candidates but the deals fell though, which happens. There is still time left in the MLS trade window, but the chances of getting an international player are slim since the MLS version of the international transfer window has closed. I think our forwards showed what they are capable of last weekend against Houston; Robbie Findley played great balls to both Yura and Kenny, and two of them were turned into goals. I think our midfield can perform much better than they have lately, perhaps having the added depth of Mathis to help provide some offensive power off the bench will help. Also being able to move players around the midfield could really be an advantage as the final third of the season wraps up.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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August 19, 2008 by f4denz.

So as I prepare to watch the match again, I am struck by how the injury and suspension bug really impacted the quality of the team we could field. Out are Joy, Olave, and Kovalenko and in are Cutler, Horst, and Russell. I am sure one or even two people being out has a huge impact on teams, but with three players who are a critical part of the Real Salt Lake defense would be the difference in this match.

I expected a slow start by RSL, the weather, the 18 day layoff, and being on the road all things that I thought would affect the first few minutes. Wow, I was wrong as RSL would take control quickly as the first shot would come less than 39 seconds in as Findley played a ball into the box and a open Javi took a shot that deflected of Barrett, but should have been better taken and the goal should have been scored. Just seconds later in the 3^rd minute another ball played in by Findley to Yura, who gets open and puts the ball into the back of the net and RSL is up 1-0.

Houston gets a little possession after the goal but RSL is closing down quickly on the ball, but DeRo gets the ball into the box but it is cleared by Borchers who runs into Rimando, but the ball is cleared out for a goal kick for RSL. Houston is doing a good job of getting the ball into the RSL half of the pitch, RSL is playing very controlled football when they have the ball. Right at the start of the 7^th minute another ball from Findley played into the box and the feet of Yura, but a Dynamo player deflects the ball out for a RSL corner kick. Nothing threatening from the corner, as Houston gets the ball back and goes on the attack, RSL is still doing a good job of closing on the ball quickly making it hard for the Dynamo to get a good look at goal. A long ball from Williams to Findley, and a great tackle gets the ball away from Robbie at the edge of the box, Houston dodges a bullet.

10 minutes in RSL is playing well as they try to control possession but Houston really is showing their talent as they are right on the ball every time RSL touches it, so far that hodge podge defense has stood up to the test. A foul gives RSL a free kick from about 5 yards outside of the box and Javi steps up for the free kick, and Nat heads the ball, but it goes just wide of the left post. Borchers has broken up about 5-6 Houston attacks already in the first 14-15 minutes of the match, but Houston is able to get deep into the RSL end of the pitch.

As the camera pans to Jason, I wonder why he has a security guard right behind him? Houston looks like they are getting their act together and Horst is lucky that the foul is called on Ching and not him, or it would be a PK for Houston, we dodged a bullet that time. A bad give away by Cutler, but no real damage comes from it, but the action is getting a bit rough in the midfield. Houston plays a ball to Mullen, who gets past Rimando and scores, on a play that looks like Houston is offside, but the two offside players are not Mullen, so the passive offside call goes Houston’s way. So 16 minutes in the score is tied at 1-1, as the Dynamo give their home fans something to cheer about. RSL is quick to get back into the attack, Wingert plays a good ball in and a shot by Andy is deflected over the net, or it may have been a goal. RSL gets a corner and this time it is cleared out and no threat from the set piece, you have to imagine that if we had Olave and Deuchar that set pieces could be a bit more productive. RSL play a good ball into a onrushing Findley, but it is just a bit too strong and goes out for a Houston goal kick as we move past the 20 minute mark.

Both teams are playing some long balls into the box and hoping for players to rush into the attack, it is an interesting style of play that may have a lot to do with the heat and humidity, which is impacting play. Houston gets a good ball in from Waibel, to Ching but Horst stands him up and allows Nick to scoop up the ball and restart the RSL attack, but RSL gives the ball away and a horrible shot by Ching goes very wide. RSL is back on the attack, Yura fires a shot that Onstad stops but it deflects out and RSL gets the ball back to the feet of Javi Morales and he finishes it easily and puts it into the back of the net and RSL takes the lead 2-1, as we enter the 26^th minute of play.

Houston gets a free kick from about 35 yards out but it is cleared without a shot being taken, Houston is getting great possession in the RSL end and on a great ball played to Ching by Mullen and Ching puts the ball into the back of the net. Ching beat his man; I couldn’t see who his man was, maybe on the halftime highlights. Well the match is tied at 2-2 as the clock hits 30:00, and Borchers gets a yellow card on a hard foul on Ching. Houston gets another chance as Barrett plays a great ball in, but Ching’s header goes wide and RSL gets a goal kick.

Houston is doing a great job at keeping the ball and playing on the RSL half of the pitch, as RSL continues to give the ball away way too easily. Mullen tires a shot from 25 yards but it is cleared easily, but Davis follows it up with a rocket that Rimando punches out, but Houston keeps the ball and from 35 yards out Clark fires a shot that beats Nick to the far corner of the net, and now Houston is up 3-2. Not sure where the breakdown was on it, but Clark had way too much room. Houston isn’t done as DeRo puts a shot on goal that deflects of the post, but the offside flag was up. Houston has really gotten a boost of energy from the goals, and Jaqua almost makes it 4-2 but RSL dodged a bullet. There is clearly some problems with communication on the RSL defense, as Houston is finding cracks in the RSL defense and taking full advantage of them. As the clock hits 40 minutes, RSL is on their heels and despite taking the lead twice in the first half, Houston is the team that looks like they are on fire, and RSL looks confused, tired and in need of the halftime break.

Houston is really controlling the match, and even when RSL gets a counter going Houston shuts it down quickly. The RSL defense looks very confused as often they are putting two men on a guy and leaving someone open. Houston makes a great play Davis to Ching, who lays it at the feet of Jaqua who finishes it and now Houston is up 4-2 with 2 minutes left in the first half. Way too many RSL players standing and walking for the last 15 minutes, but RSL get the ball deep in the Houston end but Javi’s shot is deflected and then cleared out the side by Onstad. RSL get a free kick from the side of the box, but the ball is cleared out by Houston and DeRo on the counter and he flies by Cutler, but Yura comes all the way back on defense to save the day. Houston gets the ball deep in the RSL end again, but the header by Ching is caught by Rimando. RSL counters, Yura fires a shot from the edge of the box, that is deflected off a Houston player and just wide of the net, but the corner is cleared easily by Houston. Borchers is having to say back on defense, so there is only Yura and Horst for size on set pieces and the rookie looks lost. RSL gets another free kick deep in the Houston side and Javi lines up for the shot, it is played well into the box but the RSL shot goes over the top of the goal as Houston is up 4-2 at the half.

So in looking at the halftime highlights, the entire RSL defense is to blame for the Mullen goal, they all stood around with their hands up as their keeper got beat, the second goal it looks like it was Morales who got beat by Ching, and the fourth goal it was Borchers who got beat by Jaqua.

As the second half starts RSL has pulled Cutler and put in Espindola to try and boost the offense and gain some possession of the ball, Beckerman moves back to the D-mid position and is marking DeRo, a much better matchup than Cutler trying to cover DeRo. Well the second half is starting with both teams playing in the center of the pitch finally RSL gets into the attack, Wingert plays a great ball into the box and Findley gets a head on it and forces Onstad to make the save, but at least RSL looked dangerous for the first time in the second half.

As the clock hits 50 minutes both teams are playing a much more deliberate pace to the match, I am guessing the heat and humidity has drained the energy of everyone one the pitch. Houston moves the ball into the attacking third and RSL is just standing around watching the ball and the shot by Davis goes high and just wide of the goal. I am not sure how RSL expects to get back into the match if they are playing this slowly and failing to close on the ball quicker. Houston plays a long ball into a fresh Kamara, but it is too strong and Rimando cleans it up easily. RSL plays the ball into the Houston half of the pitch a long ball played in goes to Espindola, who plays it in the box, but it is cleared out, but RSL gets it back and again Espindola plays it into the box and again it is cleared by Houston. A lazy shot by Houston is caught easily by Rimando, and RSL counters and Wingert plays another ball into the box and Findley got clear of his guy, but his header goes wide of the goal. A long ball played in to Findley who is fouled, but the official calls it the other way, this official has really made a number of questionable calls (this is only the 3^rd MLS match for Paul Ward), and missed even more calls. Houston counters and DeRo is flagged offside but his shot goes wide anyhow, and just after the 60^th minute RSL brings in Clint Mathis (signed earlier in the week) for Andy Williams (who headed off to national team duty after the match).

OK, I have to admit I find a great amount of humor in Clint naming his son Maximus, listen I like Gladiator, but I wouldn’t name my kid after a character in a movie, and while Max Mathis isn’t bad, I imagine growing up he will hear a good number of MM jokes. I do like that Clint picked his new jersey number 84 to mark Max’s birth on the 4^th of August. Well Houston has done a better job over the last couple minutes of controlling possession of the ball and they get a free kick from about 35 yards out, but DeRo’s shot goes high and wide. I have no clue how but RSL botches the goal kick and almost gives up a goal as they lose the ball to Houston off the kick, deep in the RSL third of the pitch. Wow Ching puts a ball into the box, but it goes just wide of the feet of Kamara and RSL dodges a bullet, it is clear that the RSL defense is out of gas and Houston is like a cat playing with a mouse. A hard foul by Mathis in the 67^th minute and the yellow card is out, at least he got more time in before his first card than last years Richie “red card” Kotchau who only saw two minutes of action before getting sent off.

With all the available defensive subs out due to injury or illness, the back line is going to have to really suck it up for the last 25 minutes as their will be no fresh legs for the RSL defense. I have to say I am confused how a team that has shown such great fitness can be standing around and making very little effort to attack the ball, it really looks like all RSL is doing is staying in their half of the pitch and trying to catch Houston as they attack. Yura and Findley are trying to get the attack moving but Yura looks like he is out of gas, and some strange conflict between Wiabel and Espindola. Yura fires a shot but it goes right to Onstad and Houston counters and DeRo gets fouled just on the edge of the box but the official misses the call, but Houston plays a great ball into the box but it is cleared by Russell. The following corner kick gets bounced around and back out for another Houston corner kick, and after the ball bounces around some more it is cleared to the midfield by RSL. Yura makes another good run and plays a ball to Findley, but there is simply too many Houston defenders, RSL mounts another attack and Findley does a great job and delivers the ball on the penalty spot for Morales, but he blows it and gets nothing on the ball and it is cleaned up by Houston. Damm, it really should be 4-3, there is no excuse for Javi to miss that one, if he wants to live up to the role and the hype he has to finish those shots. We are most likely going to pay a big price to get the rights to Javi this off season and rumor is that his full salary will likely make him our DP, he really has had two great chances tonight that he hasn’t been able to finish, I can’t put too much blame on him, but I expect more.

With 15 minutes left in the match Kenny Deuchar comes on for Yura, who played a great match. RSL is trying to keep possession of the ball, but Houston is taking advantage of RSL trying to attack and they are countering very well, and Kamara got clear of his man and headed the ball wide of the net. RSL dodges another bullet. RSL gets a quick goal from Deuchar on a super ball played to him by Findley and Kenny puts the ball past Onstad and now we are closer to getting some points on the road as the score is now 4-3. There are under 10 minutes left for RSL to try and get another goal to tie up the match, but Houston a fresh Holden counters, but RSL does well to get the ball back. Wow, Kamara just went past 3 RSL defenders (Wingert, Russell, and Borchers) and RSL is getting peppered by Houston shots and attacks, with just a couple minutes left RSL is getting desperate and playing long ball. I am not sure why with 5 minutes plus stoppage left that RSL would go to that style, but with little energy and the fresh legs of Deuchar perhaps it isn’t as unwise as it seems, but with Houston playing 8 men behind the ball I am not sure what RSL will have to do to get more chances.

Again Kamara beats his man (Borchers) and he plays a great ball to Ching, who puts it over the top of the net. Wow that is the 4^th or 5^th bullet that RSL has dodged in the last 10 minutes since Kamara came into the match. RSL is trying to play the ball in but Houston has so many bodies in the box that the RSL attacks are not getting any decent looks, there are 3 minutes of stoppage time and Houston is holding the ball in the RSL third of the pitch and simply playing keep away from RSL. Ching gets upset and gets a yellow card for dissent, but the free kick by Beckerman is nowhere near a RSL player and Houston comes back in attack, but RSL get the ball and again Kyle plays a long ball that is nowhere near any RSL players, what the hell. Espindola makes a huge run back to stop a Houston counter after Horst got beat, and now Horst is down with what appears to be a cramp, that is twice tonight that a striker has run almost the entire pitch to get back and prevent a Houston shot on goal.

Well that is the final whistle and the match ends 4-3 in a very exciting match, it was never going to be easy to get a win on the road against the two time defending champions. That task got harder when Jamison Olave picked up a yellow card against Toronto that make him ineligible for the Houston match, then add in injuries to both Ian Joy and Tony Beltran, and Dema Kovalenko being out due to illness and this really became mission impossible. To beat Houston with only two of our normal defenders available and relying on Robbie Russell who has only been with the team a couple weeks, and David Horst a rookie getting his first action with the first team is not going to be easy. RSL came out attacking and looked like they would be up to the task, but the Houston offense is simply too strong and was able to take advantage of a defense that wasn’t used to playing together, and despite gutsy efforts by almost every RSL player it was simply more than they were up to on this given day. If RSL should have to face off against Houston again this season, they should be able to look back at this match and be very confident that they can play with Houston and if at full strength they have what it takes to beat the defending champs.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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August 18, 2008 by f4denz.

If you watched just the first 10 minutes of the match, you would never know that it had been 18 days since their last match. In the end there were 28 combined shots (12 by RSL, 16 by Houston) and 16 of those on goal (7 by RSL, 9 by Houston), and 7 total goals (Houston 4-RSL 3), and the first half was as exciting and frustrating as any match I can remember in Real Salt Lake history. Exciting because it was clear at the start that Jason had the boys looking for a win, everyone knew this was a statement game for both teams, RSL trying to make the league and media take them as a serious contender, and Houston wanting to make sure that nobody forgot that they are the two time defending champions of MLS.

Well Houston made their point, despite giving up an early goal (they almost gave up two in the first 5 minutes), they fought back and tied the match, and then RSL made a statement they scored again to regain the lead just 9 minutes after Houston tied it. But the last 20 minutes of the first half were all Houston, it was as if some magic button was pushed and they went into another gear and RSL were simply unable to step up to that gear. The end result was the Dynamo sitting with a 4-2 lead at the half. Now RSL fans have been to quick to point out that it must have been the absence of Jamison Olave, who was serving a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation, that was the key to this breakdown. I think the problem is much deeper than that, but before I go too deep I want to watch the match one more time, so a more complete match summary and review will be coming tonight. It was clear that missing Ian Joy, Tony Beltran, and Dema Kovalenko in addition to Olave make a significant impact on the RSL defense would perform. Our defense say Robbie Russell make his first start, and rookie David Horst saw his first MLS action and with Kenny Cutler playing d-mid that those three simply were not up to the task on Saturday night.

I was very impressed with the effort of Robbie Findley, who got two assists on the night and put forth a performance worthy of the importance of the match, as did Yura Movsisyan, who scored his first MLS goal this season and looked like the player we expected when he came over from KC. I understand now why Jason had such faith in the four strikers on RSL’s roster, they showed Saturday night what they are capable of. I am very disappointed in the play of our midfield, who for the first 25 minutes controlled the match, but then gave the reins to Houston for the rest of the match. We have to learn how to control possession of the ball for the entire match, if we expect to pick up wins on the road.

OK, that is it for now, but I will do a more detailed summary as I rewatch the match this evening.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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August 15, 2008 by f4denz.

My Take

Well after a long layoff RSL is finally back in action, and while the match against Houston may not be ‘epic” it is the most important match so far this season for RSL for a number of reasons. Topping the list, it is a battle between the first and second place teams in the Western conference with only a point separating the two teams, add in the fact that RSL has struggled on the road and a victory in Houston would send a clear message to the league that RSL is a team that has to be taken seriously, and finally the matchup is Houston’s chance to rebound after an agonizing defeat in the SuperLiga final. Last week this looked like a #2 vs. #3 in the ESPN power rankings, but both Houston and RSL fell in this weeks rankings (despite not playing MLS action) to #3 and #5 respectively.

Houston for the first time all season, is healthy (no reported injuries), and at full strength with no suspensions or international team call ups. The Dynamo are also out to prove a point, that their slow start is not the real deal, but that they have what it takes to make a run at a third straight MLS Cup title. In their last 8 matches they are 4-1-3 and they are on a 5 game unbeaten streak in which they have only given up 1 goal and scored 5. Their last two matches are both 2-0 victories, over DC United in that match that took forever to finish (rescheduled twice, then delayed for hours because of weather), and then a victory two weeks ago over Columbus.

RSL has not done well playing in Houston, in 3 matches they have no wins or ties and have scored 5 goals while giving up 8. Overall play between Houston and RSL has always been close of the 8 all time meetings Houston is 4-2-4 against RSL and have scored 11 goals in those 8 matches while giving up 10 goals. One fact in RSL’s favor is that Brian Ching the leading score for the Dynamo this year has never scored against RSL, Houston’s top scorer when facing RSL is Nate Jaqua who last year got a hat trick in the Sept. 8^th 4-3 Houston win at Robertson Stadium. In fact no other Houston player has scored more than one goal against RSL, but only 3 current RSL players have ever scored against Houston (Beckerman, Findley, and Espindola) and each of them have only scored once.

RSL will have to see how their defense holds up without Jamison Olave, who is serving a one game suspension for accumulation of yellow cards. Injuries will keep Nathan Sturgis and Tony Beltran from seeing action, but Espindola is expected to be in the 18 but not starting. It is unsure if Clint Mathis will be travelling with the team or not. RSL has been the strongest defensive team in MLS over the last two months, giving up only 3 goals in their last 9 matches (4-1-4) including a 1-1-1 record on the road. RSL has continued to struggle to score goals during that stretch, scoring just 7 goals in those 9 matches and having four 0-0 draws.

This is going to be an interesting match up, and I fear that RSL will give up an early goal simply due to not playing a real match in 18 days. I do hope that with the addition of Robbie Russell filling in for the suspended Jamison Olave that the RSL defense will keep the high standard set over the last couple months. I also believe that RSL will show that same toughness to rebound as they have in the past and not only pull even (normally a road draw would be a good thing), but to go for the win. Jason and his staff understand that this is a “Statement” game and anything short of a victory will leave a lot of questions on RSL’s ability to finish off this season well enough to keep a playoff spot. I am going to go out on a minor limb and predict a 2-1 win for RSL.

Other Takes

MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo v. Real Salt Lake goal.com
The Gist: The perennial contenders Houston Dynamo host upstarts Real Salt Lake with first place on the line. The two-time defending MLS Cup champs have not played since losing to New England in the SuperLiga final eleven days prior to this tilt. However, Houston have not lost in their past four league games.

Real Salt Lake will try to end that streak, but to do so they will need to improve upon their dreadful road record. Perhaps the biggest chink in their armor, a road win against a team many feel is the best in the West would send a message that Salt Lake are for real.

Other News

RSL’s Williams Battles On and Off the field goal.com
Reggae Boyz. Bomma. Long sleeves. World Cup. MLS Cup. Caramel Macchiato.
What do all these things, including the Starbucks addiction, have in common?

Andy Williams.
The well-traveled midfielder for Real Salt Lake has found a place to call home here in Salt Lake City, but finds himself currently in the midst of a couple of important battles.

Soccerunitesutah.com Site dedicated to raising funds to help the Williams family out.

RSL: Is second time a charm for Clint Mathis? Sltrib.com
Three years ago, during Real Salt Lake’s inaugural 2005 season, Clint Mathis arrived with high expectations, both for himself and for his team. When that tenure lasted for 27 games, and didn’t end under the best of circumstances, the thought of Mathis returning to RSL seemed far-fetched at best.
But apparently, it wasn’t as far-fetched as some would’ve thought, as RSL on Thursday acquired Mathis from the Las Angeles Galaxy, the team that held his rights while he played the bulk of this season for Ergotelis FC of the Greek Super League.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

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