Real Salt Lake vs. New York match recap
November 17, 2008 by f4denz.
Well the result wasn’t what I hoped for but I have to give kudo’s first to the thousands of fans who showed up on a cold night at Rio Tinto and proved that we can provide a level of support that matches the effort of Real Salt Lake.
First 10 minutes
I have to admit I have never liked the boom sticks, but they were a huge part of getting and keeping the crowd in the match, I was disappointed that we didn’t see Andy Williams in the starting lineup but not surprised. The rematch of the Rio Tinto opener is underway and both sides look a bit nervous at the start, I was almost hoping we would see the green jerseys make a comeback, but I think they sold all of them off. Nice to hear Cobi Jones getting a shot at announcing a big game, well in the first 90 seconds the ball has been out of bounds 4 times already, the nerves really are showing but considering both teams are fighting for their first ever MLS Cup shot it is understandable. A nice long ball to Yura who pushed just beyond a rushing Mathis, New York clear but RSL holds it in and Russell gets into the box but it is poked out of bounds by the Red Bulls. RSL has to regroup, but you can see that RSL is deliberate in trying to create offensive chances; early on Robbie Russell is really looking good as he is pushing up into the attack right from the start.
Cepero causes the largest cheer by falling down, which is followed quickly by Rimando making a save on a early shot by Wolyniec. A foul on Morales doesn’t get called and New York is getting a bit more organized, but RSL is still controlling the possession and it is 0-0 as the clock hits 10:00
10-20
New York gets a second corner kick, but Rimando is there to gather it in as Nick gets high and plays strong early in the match. I am noticing early in the match that the first touch of may RSL players is a bit rough, both Javi and Dema have suffered from poor touches early. A foul gets called as Javi is taken down hard, but they change the call to a throw in, not sure how that wasn’t a foul but RSL lost out on a free kick from a dangerous position. Jimenez gets a very close tackle on Johnson inside the box and the RSL corner does nothing, but is followed by a Mathis shot that is cleared out by the early New York star Diego Jimenez. Will Johnson plays a good ball, but it was a bit strong and just long for Mathis, who was clearly upset, but Johnson is looking very dangerous early in the match.
RSL is doing a decent job of attacking the ball, but the passes are just a bit off early in the match, either long or short enough to be picked off by the Bulls. Johnson fires a shot from distance but Danny C. picks it up without it posing any real danger. New York is trying to play long balls almost every time they get the ball, while RSL is mixing long balls with deliberate attacks, and RSL get a free kick from 35 yards and Morales plays a good ball in but once again Jimenez is there to save the day for New York. After 20 minutes we are still tied up a 1-1.
20-30
Wow van den Bergh and Russell are battling hard early on in the match, but RSL is still controlling the majority of the play. Once again Javi’s touch is a bit off and hopefully that will change soon. Just 22 minutes in Rojas is in for Udiparipovic who was suffering from a hamstring injury. In a match that could go 120 minutes, an early call really could impact the outcome if we go past regular time. I do question the pre match watering of the pitch, at night on a cold night doesn’t seem like a good decision. Yura gets clear wide and fires a shot that Cepero pushes just wide for a RSL corner, Dema fires a shot but it is deflected out of the box by the Red Bulls.
A long ball to Russell but it is just a bit long and goes out of bounds, RSL is pushing up very high as the backline is playing almost at midfield, interesting that even as we near the 30 minute mark a lot of fans all around the stadium are standing up and cheering as RSL continue to dominate. Mendes has a high elbow on Yura inside the box, but nothing is called and the replay angle doesn’t show anything to show either way. New York counters and Wolyniec plays a ball across the area as Olave misses the ball and Dave van den Bergh puts it past Rimando. New York again takes an early lead at Rio Tinto 1-0.
Dema plays a horrible ball across the area to nobody and RSL will have to come up with something to counter as New York has gained a bit of energy off the goal as we hit the 30th minute.
30-40
Another corner kick for New York, and this one goes long and is cleared out of the area, but New York holds it in but then end up playing it out of bounds and the ball goes back to RSL, another bad touch by Javi off a throw in and the ball goes back to New York. For the first time all match New York looks to be the more aggressive side, a hard foul by Borchers on Wolyniec gives a free kick to New York, but nothing comes of it and RSL get the ball back.
Even down a goal, the crowd is really into the match and vocal in their support of the home side. Mathis on the attack, out to Johnson and into the box to Yura who goes down, but Javi saves it on the line but slips on the wet turf, but RSL is still attacking and pressuring the ball. I don’t understand when the turf already is slick due to the humidity and knowing that the moisture wouldn’t burn off with the cool night. A foul gives RSL a free kick from 25 yards out, but Dane Richards is down away from the play. Javi lines up for the free kick and it goes off the post and nobody is there to put it back on goal, both Clint and Kyle were close enough to redirect it but neither do. Yura gets the ball in the box and crosses it but it is pushed away by Mendes, the RSL corner kick poses no danger, but another free kick is awarded to RSL on a foul on Dema, and once again Javi fires it into the box but it is cleared out by New York.
40-halftime
Russell is down with a hurt shoulder after the last corner kick, but he is OK. Even the announce team, no fans of RSL this year is mentioning how RSL is controlling the match and are the better team so far, but when you are down a goal all that matters is the score and RSL is on the short end of the scoreboard. Javi gets it to Dema, who tries a shot from the edge of the box but it is blocked by Goldthwaite and as RSL get the ball back a bevy of players are whistled for offsides and New York get it back but as has been the case all match RSL gets the ball back quickly. The first yellow goes to Goldthwaite on a late tackle on Javi just past the midfield line, as RSL gets another free kick as the clock gets close to 45. Javi played it high and into the box but nobody is really there and another offside call against RSL, and I will go on the record as opposed to the stupid throwing of smoke bombs onto the pitch during a match, what are you trying to do? Stupid people and no not all of the stupid people were in the south stands during this match. The two minutes of stoppage time in the first half end as RSL continue to dominate but are on the short end of the scoreboard as they trail 1-0.
2nd half
So the halftime numbers show both teams with 4 shots on goal, New York has 3 corner kicks to RSL’s 2, but the only number that matters is that New York leads 1-0 as the second half begins. A hard foul on Will Johnson as the second half starts, but no call by the official once again. RSL gets the ball back but it goes out off a New York player and RSL has the ball in the box but Russell can’t get it to anyone and New York counters with Richards running the entire length of the pitch with Johnson in hot pursuit, the goal kick goes long but back to New York. Rojas fires a shot but it is blocked by Borchers, and followed up by Angel but Rimando cleans it up without much effort. New York is looking sharper in the first minutes of the second half, than they did in the first half, RSL looks much rougher than at any time in the match. I thought we would see Andy Williams in at halftime, but it looks like Jason is being more conservative knowing that the match could go into extra time and that fresh legs would be a huge advantage late.
New York’s first touches are much cleaner in this half, and RSL are slowly getting their composure back but still look sloppy and a bit panicked. Yura gets tangled with a couple New York defenders, could have been a call, but the ball goes back to Mathis who fires a long range shot which goes high over the goal. For the first time all match RSL is playing on their heels and the New York backline is pushed up much higher than they did in the first half. RSL gets it back and is trying to organize something, but their touch is just awful during the first 10 minutes of the second half.
55-65
RSL gets a nice shot on goal but it is pushed out again by Danny, the corner goes into the box but nothing dangerous comes of it, then a long ball by Javi but Mathis is double teamed and can’t get to it. RSL finally appear to be dangerous finally in the second half, but being down a goal they will have to find a way to get a goal, and they are getting ready to bring in Findley, but first a good chance is lost as Dema can’t keep the ball in bounds. Robbie Findley comes in for Dema just before we hit the hour mark, can Robbie get the offense kick started in the second half?
The fans are doing their part in trying to motivate the team and RSL seem to be responding as they get back into the attack, Johnson loses the ball just inside the box after a great pass from Mathis. It really looks like New York is pulling back and going into a bit of a defensive shell with 30 minutes left in the match. Russell tries to drive a ball into the box, but it is cleared out, but RSL keep the pressure on but New York gets the ball back. Wow the RSL defense can’t get the ball forward as both Borchers and Wingert have trouble with the slick ball, but RSL get it forward and look to try to pull the New York defense out of their shell. Findley runs past two defenders, but is fouled by the third and a yellow card for Rojas and Javi lines up 30 yards out for the free kick, nice ball but Beckerman’s header is pushed out by Cepero who has been up to the task so far tonight. Yura gets to the ball and crosses a nice ball to Findley but he just misses, Mathis to Morales, to Olave put it is just too much for the defender and the shot is just over the bar.
65-75
More stupid smoke bombs, this time on the north end of the stadium, really what is the point of that? RSL look to reorganize their attack and New York is just kicking the ball the length of the pitch whenever they get possession, and now they finally get a counter but Dane Richards gets a one on one vs. Rimando and pushes the ball wide of the goal. Once again the term “Autobahn football” is used to describe the full tilt pace of the match in the second half. With 20 minutes to go Morales gets it wide and plays it in, but just short of the goal and it is cleared out for a throw in. Russell plays it into the box, but nothing on goal.
RSL really is dominating, and Yura gets a shot but once again Danny is there to push it just wide and all RSL gets is a corner and Mathis takes the corner, and Olave is out and Williams is in to provide more offense. The Mathis corner is bad and falls short but RSL maintains possession of the ball, Williams is providing a bit more spark as RSL are in full blown attack mode, but with almost ever Red Bull player playing far behind the ball it will be hard to get clear passes. Cobi is calling out the Red Bull players for going down with those mystery injuries to take time off the clock and you can hear the fans getting restless at the antics of the Red Bull players, hopefully the 4th official will be fair in giving this time back in extra time.
75-85
Wingert plays a ball into the area but it is long and over all his teammates, as New York gets a goal kick. It is played right back in by RSL and another corner kick, this one goes to the back, Mathis plays it into the box, it bounces around but no shot on goal as there is simply too many bodies in the box for New York. Andy plays a long ball to nobody, and you are left to wonder who is not making a run. Findley puts forth great effort and puts a ball to Yura on the penalty spot, but Yura shanks it high over the goal.
Andy tries to play it to the other side, but nobody again is there and New York counters as Richards gets the ball in the box but Russell plays it out and the New York corner is pointless as they have only two players in the box. Yura plays a great ball to Findley, who gets it to Will Johnson at the far post but he can’t get it past the post and the best chance of the night is blown. A foul just five yards out and Javi lines up the shot, but plays it to Russell instead of on goal and it goes wide for a New York goal kick, and another dumbass puts a smoke bomb on the pitch. New York brings on Pietravallo for Sassano, RSL attacks again, and get another corner kick but the short kick comes up short, but RSL continue to attack. Borchers gets a chance on a ball played in by Andy but his header is just a foot wide of goal, as almost every RSL player has had a shot on goal tonight. RSL again sets up at midfield to attack, Johnson to Yura but the shot goes right to Cepero, but RSL continue the pressure.
85-final whistle
RSL continue to attack, and another foul just outside of the box and you have to wonder if Javi is going to finally get one to go. This one is less than 5 yards outside and just off center, there may not be a better chance tonight. Javi lines it up, it goes off the wall and out for a corner, short and the shot is taken by Johnson but it is a bad shot and out for a goal kick. Another Red Bull player is laying down and killing off the clock, this time it is Leitch and yet another smoke bomb it thrown on to the pitch. And after killing a minute off the clock, Leitch is back up and healed, long ball to Yura but he goes down easy and no call. Another corner for RSL as there are going to be four minutes of stoppage time, out off Danny for another corner kick, and Kenny D. comes in to provide a target as Mathis is out. Into the area, but nothing happening, a ball in for Borchers but his header again is wide.
Well nothing RSL is doing seems to be working tonight and despite being the better team in shots, shots on goal, possession, and every other stat you can think of the score is still 1-0 with just seconds left in the match. Guess what another Red Bull player is down and again it is Leitch, and I think the rule should be if you go down and have to go off, that you should have to stay out at least a minute. Russell’s throw is horrible with just a few ticks left on the clock Williams puts a ball in, it bounces around and Morales gets a shot and the third shot tonight goes off the goal post and the final whistle blows and New York will advance to the MLS cup and RSL is done. Give credit where it is due, New York did just enough to win and in this game of inches Real Salt Lake came up just short.
I will post some pictures on Monday, and my thoughts on this incredible year for Real Salt Lake will come later this week.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real Salt Lake vs. New York – Historic Moment Pending
November 15, 2008 by f4denz.
The MLS match preview
Red Bulls set for role reversal? Web.mlsnet.com
It’s one thing to rise up and smite the giant. But what if you suddenly morph into the giant?
The New York Red Bulls engineered one of Major League Soccer’s all-time stunners last week. The men from Giants Stadium didn’t just beat Houston down at Robertson Stadium, they clobbered the Dynamo in the return leg to claim the home-and-away Western Conference Semifinal Series.
My Matchups and Keys to the match
So as I have read around the web and seen what many of the soccer experts and pundits have to say, I worry, too many of them have jumped on the Real Salt Lake bandwagon. Here is a brief tally of the predictions online (not all of them but the ones I could find quickly and easily):
mlsfanblog.com Real Salt Lake 1- New York 0
soccernet.espn.go.com No score but picks RSL to win
goal.com No score but picks RSL to win
yahoo.com No score picking New York to win
mlsnet.com No score but gives edge to Real Salt Lake
You know when you take 5 top sources and 4 of them pick RSL that something could really go wrong. Both of the Lalas brothers picked RSL and that scares me more than all the rest combined. But almost everyone is focusing on the Morales vs. Angel matchup, but to me that one is a lot less important that the way RSL will have to use Will Johnson and Dema Kovalenko to support the backline in defending against Dane Richards and Dave van den Bergh. I trust Olave won’t fall down this time when Angel tries to get around him, but it is well known that Dema did not want to leave the Red Bulls and will be out to prove a point to them. I really am looking forward to see the battle between Johnson and Richards, two guys with great pace and never say die attitudes, and I believe the winner of this battle will do a huge amount in getting his team to the MLS Cup.
Let’s take a minute to look at the team stats, this season New York scored 42 goals on their way to a 10-11-9 record, while RSL scored 40 while earning a 10-10-10 record. A bit more telling is the fact that the Red Bulls gave up 48 goals, while RSL gave up just 39, only two teams gave up more goals than New York, DC United with 51 and the LA Galaxy with 62 goals allowed. Real Salt Lake only lost one match at home all year and that was against Chivas on a horrible defensive blunder, while New York won only once on the road, the worst in MLS this year. New York scored a total of 12 goals in their 15 road matches while allowing 28 a more than 2:1 ratio, while RSL only has allowed 10 goals at home all season while scoring 24, if that math holds up this should be a 2-1 RSL victory.
Goalkeepers
In both of the previous meetings this year Jon Conway was in goal for New York, but Saturday they will be relying on Danny Cepero who now has 2 regular season MLS matches and 2 playoff matches of experience. In his two regular season starts he allowed 6 goals against while only making 5 saves, his performance has improved in the playoffs where he has only allowed one goal in the two matches against Houston, he made a total of 7 saves over the two matches. Nick Rimando played every minute of every MLS match for RSL, and in the regular season his GAA was 1.30 with 8 shut outs and he allowed two goals in the series against Chivas while making 4 saves. Danny may be famous for being the only keeper to score in a MLS match, but the 23 year old will be a huge underdog against Rimando who already has a MLS Cup Championship from his days with United.
Defense
While the backline of RSL have had a couple huge mental lapses this season, they are without a doubt one of the reasons that RSL has made it this far and if RSL is to move on to the MLS Cup finals it will have to be and the backs of the defense. Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers have done a great job all year of keeping some of the best strikers in the league in check, and Wingert is a monster (just ask the fans) and if it is Ian Joy or Robbie Russell joining them both have been up to the task all year long and with Rimando they have been a solid unit this season. For New York you have to wonder which backline will show up? They allowed Houston to get a total of 24 shots off in their series, RSL’s defense only allowed 15. The project backline for New York features Kevin Goldthwaite their most experienced defender this year with 28 starts, Andrew Boyens has 16 starts, Chris Leitch 14, and Diego Jimenez just 6 for a total of 64 starts, compared to a backline of Olave, Wingert, Borchers (who have 81 starts between the 3) and Russell would add 7 more, but if Joy is fit to go he would add 18 starts to give RSL a total of 99. If you add in keepers it even gets uglier as the RSL total jumps to 129 and the New York total is just over half that at 66. A clear advantage again goes to RSL on experience and the fact that we allowed 9 fewer goals over the season.
Midfield
The midfield battle will really depend on who New York plays in the middle, I would have to give a clear advantage to Morales and Beckerman (9 goals, 17 assists) over Sassano and Ubiparipovic (1 goal, 2 assists) but on the outside the advantage would appear to go to New York with Richards and van den Bergh (10 goals, 11 assists) over Johnson and Kovalenko (3 goals and 2 assists) but Will Johnson scored his two goals in just 9 matches and Dema missed over 1,000 minutes of action due to injuries this season, when you combine both sets I think a slight advantage goes to RSL with an edge in experience and the ability to create for others. I do think that the matchup with Johnson and Richards will be the key to the match, Will has given 100 percent plus in every match he has played and he is very quick. Dane is just plain fast, and with getting two goals against Houston last weekend will have a lot of confidence. This matchup could cost RSL early, if they let Richards run loose he can score or create, if they mark him too tight they could pick up early yellow cards. Watch this one closely.
Forward
The battle at forward really is interesting and will depend on what choice Jason Kreis makes, for New York it will be Juan Pablo Angel with his 14 goals and 3 assists this year, partnering with John Wolyniec who did not score in his 726 minutes of action this season and only had one assist. We know that Yura Movsisyan will start for RSL with his 7 goals and one assist, but will it be Robbie Findley with 6 goals and 5 assists (and speed), a returning Fabian Espindola who has 5 goals in just 642 minutes this year, or Clint Mathis who has yet to score or get an assist and had just 590 minutes in regular season MLS play? The only way RSL could even keep this one close would be to play Espindola and Yura in the first half and bring on Findley in the second to give a boost of speed, but the likely matching of Mathis and Movsisyan means that a slight advantage goes to New York. I think that Clint could be a real x factor in this match; he loves to show up his former teams. He did it against RSL while playing for Colorado and New York, and if he does it against New York on Saturday, he could be the difference in the match.
Intangibles
RSL has seen their fair share of horrible officiating this season, but Jair Marrufo is supposed to be the best official in MLS. Ricardo Salazar who was so bad in the last match at Rio Tinto against Chivas, has been relegated to the role of 4th official, which is still to close to the action for my liking. At least we can all take comfort that Kevin Stott is not going to be involved in the match at all; there are some miracles in life. I don’t really care if they call the match close or let them play, I only want it to be fair, no team should get an advantage in the match because of the officials.
You have to wonder which bench will make the bigger impact; RSL will have Findley, Williams and Espindola, while New York has Magee, Kandji, and Mendes. I think RSL holds a slight advantage when it comes to what type of difference their bench players can make.
While Jason Kreis got overlook as Coach of the year, the job he has done in working with both young players and veterans has been incredible, to bring this many new players into a team and have them come together to form this tight of a team is impressive. His attack minded lineup and substitutions in the first playoff match was inspirational and genius, it worked well. In the second leg, he took a slightly more defensive approach, but that was pitched in the second half as he replaced defenders with attackers and went back to an aggressive, attacking style of soccer. It was more entertaining to watch and the results speak for themselves, you know you are doing something right when the commentators compliment the series as “some of the best soccer played in MLS this year”. I expect a couple surprises to the lineup, could be Williams and Findley in for Kovalenko and Mathis, which would mean we would have a very creative and quick offensive attack which could expose the New York back line and inexperienced keeper Cepero.
The crowd, all year long RSL has enjoyed great support form their fans, with over 16,000 average attendance for home matches, and some of the more vocal supporter groups in the league, General Manager Garth Lagerwey said it during his comments to the media earlier this week, and he called on the fans to sell out the stadium and to show up wearing Red and create a “Red Rally” so don’t only wear something red, but bring something you can share with the person next to you in case they forget.
My Prediction
Well it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I am going to pick RSL, I think the match will end up 2-1 or 3-1, I think it is close in the first half as both teams have some nerves and try to slow the attacking waves of the opposing side, the first half ends 1-1 on goals by Angel and Movsisyan. The second half is where RSL steps up the pressure and takes advantage of a deeper bench and the altitude and they run New York ragged and goal early in the second half on an incredible shot by Clint Mathis. Then just minutes later they seal the deal on a Javier Morales breakaway and goal that stops young Danny Cepero. The real shame will be that New York fails to take advantage of players like Jorge Rojas and Macoumba Kandji (who looked really good against RSL in October).
History will be made on Saturday night, but it will be too little too late for New York and RSL fans will be waiting for the matchup in LA against the black and yellow Columbus Crew.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real Salt Lake welcome the Red Bulls
November 14, 2008 by f4denz.
Well not many people imagined Real Salt Lake would be in the Western Conference finals, and even fewer probably imagined they would be facing the Red Bulls at Rio Tinto on Saturday for a chance to face Columbus for the MLS Cup. For those of you expecting an early evening on Saturday, you might be in for the longest match of the playoffs. If history is right then, of the eight times these two teams have faced off since RSL joined the league there have been 6 ties, and twice (including earlier this season) New York has won. So will we see extra time on Saturday night, the odds would say yes, but I don’t think so.
History
April 2nd 2005 is a big day in Real Salt Lake history, it was the first ever match in RSL history and it just so happens that New York (then the MetroStars) was the opponent, and in a horrible rainstorm RSL got their first point as the match ended up in a 0-0 draw. The match also was the return of Clint Mathis to New York, where he had last played in MLS. 2005 would also see another historic matchup with New York, it was July 4th at Rice Eccles Stadium and started a tradition of Independence day matches and fireworks for Real Salt Lake. There also were fireworks on the pitch as a 10 man RSL (Dunny got a red card right before the half), but RSL battled back from a two goal deficit and scored two goals in the final 12 minutes of the match to earn a 2-2 draw.
For RSL, Andy Williams and Clint Mathis both saw action in the matches against New York in 2005 and both will likely see action on Saturday. For New York, they have a few more faces still around as John Wolyniec, Chris Leitch, Carlos Mendes, and Mike Magee will likely be on the New York roster, but Seth Stammler is out for the season and Jeff Parke is still suspended.
The 2006 season saw the death of the MetroStars and the birth of the New York Red Bulls, and again when RSL faced off against New York history would be made. On April 15th two winless teams battled to a 1-1 draw at RES, as Jason Kreis scored his 101st MLS goal and RSL got their first point of the 2006 season.
Later in the year the history was not a good thing as RSL traveled to New York on Aug. 26th and suffered the worst defeat in RSL history as they lost 6-0 as they battled a man down for 82 minutes after Jack Stewart got ejected in the 8th minute of the match. That is some history we sure hope we don’t ever see a repeat of, and in my opinion that effort should have been the match that ended the coaching career of John Ellinger.
The history making continued in 2007, on May 5th New York came to Salt Lake City to face a team with a new coach as Jason Kreis moved from the pitch to the bench and took over as head coach of Real Salt Lake. Clint Mathis also was involved in the history as he scored two goals and had an assist on New York’s other goal as the Red Bulls went into the 90th minute with a 3-1 lead and ready to hand RSL’s new coach his first loss. But they didn’t count on Jeff Cunningham scoring a 90th minute penalty kick and then in the 92nd minute Chris Brown tied the match up as RSL pulled out a dramatic 3-3 draw for their new coach. It is that kind of heart and effort that would become the trademark of Real Salt Lake under the leadership of Jason Kreis.
It was late September and RSL still was alive in the playoff hunt but needed a road win when they faced off against New York at Giant Stadium, once again the history that was made wasn’t good for RSL as despite scoring first and then taking the lead back in the 75th minute, New York’s Juan Pablo Angel took a penalty shot to tie the match at 2-2 and that score stood until the final whistle and with the draw RSL was eliminated from the playoffs for the 3rd straight season.
2008
Well this year the two sides didn’t meet up until late in the season, it was Sept. 13th that RSL travelled to New York City and the match was a battle in which RSL outplayed the Red Bulls, but lost due to a couple of questionable calls that went in favor of the Bulls. RSL actually took an early lead on a Yura Movsisyan goal and went into the half with a 1-0 lead, but in the second half Juan Pablo Angel escaped getting called for a foul on Olave and got the ball past Rimando to tie the match up just 4 minutes into the second half. Then in the 64th minute on what appeared to be a play that could have been called offside, New York went ahead on a goal by Dave van den Bergh, as RSL’s road struggles continued.
The return match was on Oct. 9th and history was once again made as these two teams matched up for the first ever match at Rio Tinto Stadium in front of a sold out crowd. The nerves were obvious as RSL struggled at the start of the match and the Red Bulls struck first as Dave van den Bergh scored in the 31st minute and will live in history as scoring the first ever goal at RTS. Knowing that a loss would almost surely end Real Salt Lake’s playoff aspirations for another year, RSL battled back and Jamison Olave scored his second goal of the season. RSL ended up dominating the match and one has to wonder if Jon Conway and Jeff Parke had been suspended for this match as opposed to the following week if the result would have been different?
The future
So it will be a MLS Cup that features two teams going for the first time, we know that one of those team will be the Columbus Crew and in just less than 48 hours we will know who the other team will be. I will be looking at the matchup on Friday and will reveal prediction at that time, but you all know who I am picking to win this one. Until then you can check out the official match guide.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real Salt Lake vs. New York Red Bulls- online chatter
November 13, 2008 by f4denz.
So I was a bit disappointed that I was unable to listen to either of the calls scheduled for today, but work assignments prevented me from being able to do so. I was able to find a link to coverage of the Red Bulls call (the-touchline.blogspot.com) and the coverage is good.
Playoff Predictions
McCarthy’s Musings: Tale of the Tape goal.com
Two conference finals. Two winners playing next weekend for one fancy new cup at the Home Depot Center. In one corner, there is the Eastern Conference title game everyone expected. In the other, there is the Western Conference clash that no one expected.
Tense, tight and suspenseful games await. And we’re only at the semifinal stage. Which two teams will make it to Carson?
Surprise matchups abound in the conference finals soccernet.espn.go.com
When the 2008 season began, selecting a playoff final foursome of Chicago, Columbus, Real Salt Lake and New York would have been like predicting Lindsay Lohan would stay out of the tabloids. Not even Major League Soccer’s own version of the Amazing Kreskin, Shep Messing — the only man brave enough to predict New York’s shocking first-round win over Houston — could have provided sufficient clairvoyance to come up with this year’s quartet of conference finalists.
A New MLS Cup mlsfanblog.com
It was 2005 the last time the West was represented by someone other than two time defending champion Houston Dynamo. The New England revolution have represented the East even longer, 2004 was the last time someone other than the Revs made it to the MLS Cup. This year both of those teams dropped out in the first round thanks to the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls.
MLS Cup: MLS Cup Playoffs: The Edge web.mlsnet.com
Record New York: 10-11-9 (5th in the East); Real Salt Lake: 10-10-10 (3rd in the West)
Home Record: NY: 9-3-3; RSL: 8-1-6
Road Record NY: 1-8-6 (0-0-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium); RSL: 2-9-4
Vs. Opponent NY: 1-0-1 Sept. 13th NY 2, RSL 1; Oct. 9th RSL 1, NY 1
Season Goal Diff NY: -6; RSL: +1
Extra Time Episode 78 web.mlsnet.com
Breaking down the MLS Playoffs sports.yahoo.com
The 2008 MLS Cup playoffs have provided fans of the beautiful game with plenty of excitement - and we’ve only just begun.Now that the league’s conference finals are upon us, here’s a closer look at what’s in store for the final four:
Some other news
Kreis: We Are Contenders goal.com
The team that had previously never made the playoffs finds itself in a conference final, but coach Jason Kreis feels that’s exactly where Real Sal Lake belongs.
First XI: Honor Roll web.mlsnet.com
Who can make a coherent list when there’s so much going on in MLS? Not First XI, which is why this week, having attempted to let all the action from this past weekend sink in, we simply let fly with 11 people who deserve props for getting themselves and their teams into the Conference Championship:
That is it for now, tomorrow night I will do part one of my match preview (after the Fire vs. Crew matchup).
OFF MY SOAPBOX
Real Salt Lake fans, do you believe now?
November 11, 2008 by f4denz.
For those who believed from the start that Real Salt Lake had built something special, for those who believed it when coaches and players said they were going to make a splash in the playoffs, well pinch yourself because it is all coming true:
You can see it for yourself, RSL is not only a playoff team but now just one win away from the MLS Championship match, and not only did they make it to the Western Conference Final, the match is at home against New York next weekend.
The Run
In order to secure a spot in the playoffs and to continue their run towards the MLS Cup RSL have had to play solid soccer each week since mid September and even in the two losses suffered in Sept. RSL looked like a team that was coming together and playing as well as anyone. I believe it was the disappointment of the 2-2 draw to the undermanned Galaxy (Beck’s, Landy, and Lewis were all gone on national team duty), followed by the loss in New York to the Red Bulls after taking an early road lead, and then the huge let down of the Rimando and Borchers collision that allowed Chivas to steal 3 points from the final match at RES. I believe those 3 matches all ones that RSL players and coaches felt like they had played well enough to get a result in, if only things had gone their way, make RSL realize that nothing would be handed to them, that results had to be fought for and that nobody should stop playing until the final whistle.
After the Chivas match RSL headed on the road to San Jose, but not the same San Jose they had faced earlier in the season 3 times (2-1-0), this San Jose team was the hottest team in MLS when we faced them on Sept. 27th. In fact San Jose had not lost a MLS match since the first weekend of July, but this match was critical and a loss would almost kill the playoff dreams of RSL. This match was also a coming out party for the hard working Yura Movsisyan, it is funny as I read my match preview I mention two things (Yura’s role, and a 3-2 road victory). This match combined with other results saw RSL’s playoff hopes jump from 40% to over 56% in one week.
Next up another road match against New England and while the result was a bit of a disappointment after RSL took a 2-0 lead in the 73rd minute on Andy Williams first goal of the 2008 season, fans were wondering if RSL really could win two straight against two good teams on the road. But in one of the last matches that New England would see stars Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman make an impact the Rev’s stormed back to get two goals in two minutes to tie the match up. Coach Kreis made a huge point after the match, if you had asked the staff or players if they would be happy with 4 points on the road when facing both New England and San Jose they all would have said yes.
The draw didn’t help RSL’s playoff hopes but the next 3 matches would see us face off against teams competing for the same playoff spot we were, first up was the opener of Rio Tinto which saw us face off against New York. With the excitement and pressure of opening a new stadium, RSL played flat and New York took advantage and Dave van den Bergh scored in the 31st minute, but RSL came back and drew even in the 41st minute. RSL played better in the second half but now suspended Jon Conway was up to the task and made 5 saves to keep the score even at 1-1 and neither side improved their shot at the playoffs.
RSL next played host to FC Dallas and both teams were 1-0-2 in their previous 3 matches, so whoever could come out on top of this matchup would have a strong advantage to make the playoffs. Dallas struck first and scored a goal in the 7th minute off a terrific throw in by Adrian Serioux (world class throw in), but RSL showed the heart and backbone that helped them have their most successful season and answered back with 3 goals aided by a couple red cards shown to Dallas players, RSL dominated the match after the first Dallas red card, and there was no offense from Dallas after the second. RSL moved a lot closer to securing a playoff spot with this result, but everything would be determined by the next match.
Up next was the final match of the 2008 RMC, and a win or draw would put RSL in the playoffs, but a loss would put the Rapids in and RSL be on the outside looking in. Despite playing one of the worst matches of the season, RSL showed heart and battled back after going down a goal in the 19th minute but were outshot 20-12 and Colorado had a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. Nick Rimando was huge in keeping the score close and not allowing Colorado, who were the better side for 89 minutes, but then Yura was in the right place at the right time and a deflected Andy Williams shot was put past Bouna and we were tied up 1-1 as the match ended. For RSL that meant they kept the Rocky Mountain Cup, but more important was the first ever playoff spot for Real Salt Lake.
Now many people thought that would be the end of “The Run” but after seeing the look in the eyes of both players and coaches, and hearing them talk about making a splash in the playoffs, I for one knew that the best of the season was yet to come.
When Chivas came to town on the 1st of November they had no idea that they would be part of RSL best match in team history, now some will argue that the wins over DC United were better, but I would say if you watch the way RSL played for 90 minutes you would not question my opinion. 21 shots to 3 for Chivas, 8 shots on goal to 1 for Chivas, and a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks, and while it again took a 90th minute miracle shot from Yura Movsisyan to get RSL a 1-0 result. I have to give credit to Zach Thornton who made some amazing saves. RSL took a very aggressive approach to the match and brining in Robbie Russell for Ian Joy, Robbie Findley for Andy Williams, and Fabian Espindola for Olave, giving RSL an amazing offensive lineup. This match really could have been 3 or 4 to nothing, and I give Chivas credit for withstanding a powerful RSL attack.
This meant that RSL was in a similar situation to one just two weeks prior a win or draw and they would be moving on into the Western Conference final, and with a win already over Chivas at the HDC, confidence was high. Despite the promise to play with the same aggressive nature RSL did make a couple changes, first Robbie Russell was filling in for Ian Joy who was out with an injury, and Dema Kovalenko was brought in to help control the midfield for the more offensive minded Andy Williams. In what was one of the most physical matches I have seen in MLS in a long time, but also a very exciting match, Chivas struck first getting a PK on a foul by Morales against Razov that saw both men pulling and tugging on each other. Sacha didn’t miss and put the ball past Nick Rimando to give Chivas a 1-0 edge in the match and pull them even in the series with RSL. But showing some grit on the road, RSL answered back and the defensive minded Kovalenko put a diving header past Thornton to give RSL an edge in the series 2-1 and draw the match even at 1-1, and that is how the first half ended.
Preki tried to pull a Kreis by making some very offensive changes, bringing in Eskandarian for Curtin at the half, then following it with Braun in for Talley, but RSL would continue making changes to boost their own offense by brining in Findley for Mathis in the 72nd minute. That move would pay off with Robbie getting an assist on the Morales goal just 5 minutes later as RSL took a 2-1 lead in the match and a 3-1 edge in the series. Jason next called on Andy Williams to help control the possession (a battle RSL would lose) and took out Yura who was gassed, Chivas would make their final change brining in Zotinca for Atiba Harris and RSL brought in Espindola for Morales with just a few minutes left in the match. Chivas would do a great job and make it close on Braun’s goal in the 83rd minute, but RSL actually did well to not only rebuff the Chivas all out attack, but countered well and Zach Thornton stepped up and made a couple huge saves to keep the match close. It all was too little too late for Chivas as the match ended 2-2 with RSL’s goal at home being the difference and allowing them to move on to Saturday’s matchup with New York.
Tomorrow I will take a look at the predictions around the web as well as other related news, I will also have some notes from the media calls with both coaches which are taking place tomorrow.
The Strangely Funny
So I have to admit that I thought the VW Road to MLS Cup was going to be a tour of the new MLS trophy to all the MLS cities prior to the MLS Cup match, however after watching the first video posted on the MLS site . I have to say it is a bit strange and funny in an odd way, the guy playing the MLS official really is doing a great job of portraying what most of us think of many of the MLS officials (stiff, humorless, and looking like they have a stick someplace a stick shouldn’t be).
A serious note
In Search of Donor, a Soccer Player’s Family Finds a Community nytimes.com
For months now, the emotions have welled up whenever Andy Williams has left the field after games. Some of it has come from his desire to lift Real Salt Lake to a new place, the Major League Soccer playoffs. Some from knowing that at 31, he is in the twilight of his career.
Mostly, though, it comes from thinking about his wife, Marcia.
She received a diagnosis this summer of a rare form of leukemia and has struggled to find a donor match for a bone-marrow transplant. Without one, she is likely to leave behind her husband to raise their daughter and hers from a previous relationship, alone.
If anyone questions the heart of Andy Williams and the love the fans have for him, simply read this article. I know that RSL is planning something to help with the search for a donor and as I get details I will pass them on, but I call on every RSL fan to get tested to see if they might be a donor match, if given the chance.
OFF MY SOAPBOX