The league is buzzing over Real Salt Lake's thrashing of San Jose. And why not? The defending champions go on the road in game one and lay a beat down on the Quakes. Great win, no doubt about it. But Houston is not San Jose and the Dynamo are A LOT more formidable than the Earthquakes. Thursday's game in Houston will be a real barometer of momentum carried over from 2009's championship run.
I know we're talking about apples and oranges here, but RSL failed to beat Houston in three tries last year and they have never beaten the Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. Granted, Houston no longer has Stuart Holden or Ricardo Clark holding down the midfield and they are in a bit of a transition period but this is still a team that can beat anyone in the league on any given day. We are talking about a true candidate for the MLS cup every single year.
The Game:
Game two of the RSL season will be an intriguing match up between one of the model franchises in MLS (Houston) and the franchise du jour that is striving for consistency. These are two playoff teams and despite it being an early season match, the quality of play and the atmosphere should reflect a playoff match.
The Key Players:
The match-up between Kyle Beckerman and Geoff Cameron in the center of the pitch will be one of the most physical we will see all year. Neither of these players ever plan to give an inch, and now with Cameron moving from the back to the middle, we all will have the pleasure of seeing these two clash.
Also worth watching, Brian Ching. The dude always happens to be in the right place all the time. Jamison Olave and the rest of the RSL defense will no doubt be shadowing him throughout the match.
The Result:
The stage is set for RSL to build on this momentum and win in Houston for the first time ever. Come Friday morning, the league will be pronouncing ReAL the team to beat the rest of the way, right? Hold on now. Salt Lake fans should not get ahead of themselves. Houston is not going to let that happen. This game always produces bumps, bruises and, of course, no shortage of cards. It will be a back and forth battle that will end up a 1-1 draw, and RSL will be thrilled about it. Opening up Rio Tinto in 2010 with 4 points in their pockets already? They will gladly take it...and so will we.
Real Salt Lake (1-0-0) vs Houston Dynamo (0-0-1)
Robertson Stadium - Houston, Texas
7 P.M. MST - ESPN2
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Javi Mo=Player of the Week
The 30 year-old Argentine was spectacular Saturday, scoring two goals and adding an assist as his team pummeled an overwhelmed San Jose squad. A lot was made of Javi's 2009 season, as his play fell off sharply from the year before.
The highlight of the performance, of course, was a 30-yard laser in the 14th minute that will be there at the end of the year for a Goal of the Year candidate. Javi will try for an encore Thursday night at Houston.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Well Earthquakes...It Could Have Been Worse...
...Like say if there was an actual earthquake during the match and all of the San Jose fans at Buck Shaw "Stadium" were put in to harm's way. On the other hand, a real earthquake would have probably saved San Jose from some real embarassment on their home pitch. Real Salt Lake when into the Bay Area Saturday night and maybe answered a question or two about whether last year's playoff run was some sort of cutesy fluke, winning 3-0 on the shoulders of a Superman performance from everyone's favorite Argentinian, Javier Morales.
Full disclosure: I only watched the first half of the match (The Weasel was performing in West Valley) but the game was over by the time I left. Before the match could really start to establish itself, Joe Cannon was digging a Javi Mo rocket out of the back of the net. It was the 14th minute, Kyle Beckerman received a ball on the wing 40 yards out, he takes a touch forward and then takes a little touch inside. A challenge comes, so Beckerman is forced into sending a skipping ball to his sidekick Morales. What happened next was pure magic, as Morales controlled the ball just enough so it still came off the grass a bit and swung into it with a volley with the outside of his laces. The ball sailed into the back post's side netting past a hopeless, sprawling Joe Cannon. No goalkeeper in the world would have saved this shot.
Thirteen minutes later it was Javi again, this time in his more familiar facilitating role, putting a little through ball to fellow Argentine Fabian Espindola, who calmly lobbed it over poor Cannon. The rout seemed to be on and Javi seemed to have done enough to silence the doubters and make everyone forget his very forgettable 2009. He wasn't done.
After an offense just outside the box in the 53rd minute, causing Earthquake defender Chris Leitch to be red carded, That Man stood over the 18 1/2 yard free kick, took aim, and buried the ball into Cannon's goal, top corner side-netting style. The game was ended mercifully with just a 3-0 score and RSL collected it's first season opening victory ever. Now we shouldn't get too excited over this win, it was San Jose for heaven's sake,but seriously: BEST TEAM EVER.
Player of the Game: Duh
Other Results From Saturday:
Columbus WTFC'd Toronto 2-0 (you know you liked what I did there).
Dallas and Houston wrangled up a 1-1 draw.
New York opened up Red Bull Arena in style, beating Chicago 1-0.
KC destroyed DC's se;f esteeem with a 4-0 blowout.
And The LA Galaxy beat New England 1-0.
Full disclosure: I only watched the first half of the match (The Weasel was performing in West Valley) but the game was over by the time I left. Before the match could really start to establish itself, Joe Cannon was digging a Javi Mo rocket out of the back of the net. It was the 14th minute, Kyle Beckerman received a ball on the wing 40 yards out, he takes a touch forward and then takes a little touch inside. A challenge comes, so Beckerman is forced into sending a skipping ball to his sidekick Morales. What happened next was pure magic, as Morales controlled the ball just enough so it still came off the grass a bit and swung into it with a volley with the outside of his laces. The ball sailed into the back post's side netting past a hopeless, sprawling Joe Cannon. No goalkeeper in the world would have saved this shot.
Thirteen minutes later it was Javi again, this time in his more familiar facilitating role, putting a little through ball to fellow Argentine Fabian Espindola, who calmly lobbed it over poor Cannon. The rout seemed to be on and Javi seemed to have done enough to silence the doubters and make everyone forget his very forgettable 2009. He wasn't done.
After an offense just outside the box in the 53rd minute, causing Earthquake defender Chris Leitch to be red carded, That Man stood over the 18 1/2 yard free kick, took aim, and buried the ball into Cannon's goal, top corner side-netting style. The game was ended mercifully with just a 3-0 score and RSL collected it's first season opening victory ever. Now we shouldn't get too excited over this win, it was San Jose for heaven's sake,but seriously: BEST TEAM EVER.
Player of the Game: Duh
Other Results From Saturday:
Columbus WTFC'd Toronto 2-0 (you know you liked what I did there).
Dallas and Houston wrangled up a 1-1 draw.
New York opened up Red Bull Arena in style, beating Chicago 1-0.
KC destroyed DC's se;f esteeem with a 4-0 blowout.
And The LA Galaxy beat New England 1-0.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Opening Statement: Seattle handles Philly easily in league opener
Quick question: Do either of these teams own a white jersey? I had a hard time distinguishing between the two sides on my 32 inch standard def rig. It definitely doesn't help that I am, in fact, color blind...and no, that doesn't mean I only see in black and white.
Anyway, would I call it an impressive win for Seattle? No. Especially since they had 36,000 fans screaming for them in the rain while Philly played short-handed for most of the game. But at times the Sounders were impressive. Their first goal, especially, stands out for me. Seattle ran that little overlap from Ljunberg to Zakuani about five or six times in the first half and it worked perfectly on the goal. Zakuani crushed it across goal to an open Brad Evans who slid it past poor Chris Seitz.
After watching the match, I don't love Philly's chances this season. Sure, they looked okay in back and ya they had one or two chances and just didn't capitalize. But there is no rhyme or reason to what they were doing. Like, what's up with trying to go over the top when you have Moreno and Le Toux playing up front? Neither of those dudes are speed demons.
Not too much to say about last night's game except it looked good for MLS having a packed stadium in pouring rain and luckily for The Union that's their only trip to Qwest Field this regular season. They looked tight and messy.
Seattle 2 - 0 Philly
Anyway, would I call it an impressive win for Seattle? No. Especially since they had 36,000 fans screaming for them in the rain while Philly played short-handed for most of the game. But at times the Sounders were impressive. Their first goal, especially, stands out for me. Seattle ran that little overlap from Ljunberg to Zakuani about five or six times in the first half and it worked perfectly on the goal. Zakuani crushed it across goal to an open Brad Evans who slid it past poor Chris Seitz.After watching the match, I don't love Philly's chances this season. Sure, they looked okay in back and ya they had one or two chances and just didn't capitalize. But there is no rhyme or reason to what they were doing. Like, what's up with trying to go over the top when you have Moreno and Le Toux playing up front? Neither of those dudes are speed demons.
Not too much to say about last night's game except it looked good for MLS having a packed stadium in pouring rain and luckily for The Union that's their only trip to Qwest Field this regular season. They looked tight and messy.
Seattle 2 - 0 Philly
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Obligatory Season Preview
Four months removed from what was the greatest moment in Real Salt Lake history, the defending champions are going to try the favorite tag on for size for the first time this Saturday in the Bay Area. So what can we expect? Is it fair to say that anything less than another run to the MLS Cup Final is a disappointment? RSL was playing at top form by the time they arrived in Seattle, will that carry over to the beginning of this season?It is The Report's opinion that we can not and will not get too ahead of ourselves. After all, this is a squad that snuck into the playoffs in 2009. Not only that, but they needed a number of small miracles to do so. Oh and to make things more interesting, RSL will be playing with giant targets on their backs. So yes, let's hope for the best this season; but only do so if you can wrap your head around one thing: RSL may struggle early, but it's a long season and I fully expect Jason Kreis' squad to be in the hunt for a playoff spot in October.
THE KEY PLAYERS (in reverse order - for dramatic effect):
5. Nick Rimando (GK) - The man between the pipes for Salt Lake is the personification of solid. He allowed only 29 goals in 26 games last season, and for an encore only three snuck by him in the playoffs (not to mention all of those PK saves in shootouts). Coming into the 11th year in his MLS career, Rimando is now a bonafide star Real Salt Lake and he needs to be great this year (and stay healthy) if his team wants to get back into the playoffs.
4. Chris Wingert (DEF) - Real Salt Lake only allowed 4 goals in the last seven games of 2009 (three regular season games, four playoff games) and a big part of that was the emergence of Chris Wingert. Throughout 2009 the fullback looked less than comfortable as Kreis switched him between the left side and the right side on a regular basis. But once October rolled in, Wingert got it together and stepped up on a number of occasions, most notably helping to shut down Landon Donovan and crew in the final. Entering his fourth season with Salt Lake, Wingert needs to start off well and be consistent throughout the season or he will be losing some time to up and comer Tony Beltran.
3. Javier Morales (MID) - This man needs to have a better season than last. After being considered an MVP candidate in 2008 (6 goals, 15 assists), Javi-Mo was sometimes invisible on the pitch in 2009 (1 goal, 5 assists). His tough campaign, of course, ended 15 minutes into the final as he was injured on a challenge from David Beckham. The magic we saw between him and Beckerman in '08 was just not there last year. If he fails to produce that spark, that creativity, then it will be a long season for RSL.
2. Jamison Olave (DEF) - When he wasn't suspended (3 ejections last season), Jamison Olave was the most important player on the field for Real Salt Lake in 2009. His strength, his size, his attitude, all of these things intimidate opposing strikers. The man plays with no fear whatsoever and is not afraid to put prima donna forwards on the ground at any time. The Report is shocked that he has lasted this long with the club, but as long as he has an RSL uniform on, we will be fans.
1. Robbie Findley (FWD) - Surprise, surprise. This guy is a game-changer. A difference-maker. A freaking goal machine. At least that's what we are all hoping in 2010. Talk about a guy who found his form in the late stages of 2009. Robbie Findley found the back of the net five times between the final regular season game and the four playoff games. Findley is the only player on the team that could really be considered a star. Real Salt Lake is in slight danger of losing him, however, over the summer as he has an outside chance of making the United States roster in South Africa. Another thing to consider, he's lost his running mate, Yura Movsisyan, so the helter skelter scoring (such as his goal in MLS Cup) may be limited. All of that aside, this will be Findley's best year ever and we here at the report fully expect a 15-20 goal season.
Saturday, March 27th, Real Salt Lake will begin their title defense run in San Jose. The game will be broadcast on Fox Soccer at 7:00 pm Mountain.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Much Ado About Nothing: The Strike Vote
Dramatics abound as the MLS Player's Union voted to authorize a STRIKE (OMFG) if their demands are not met by the time the season is supposed to start. The sports media has picked up this story and ran with it, some saying it is the end of professional soccer in America as we know it.
Truth is, however, this strike vote is classic posturing. The Player's Union has given the league an ultimatum. They've basically said "Look MLS, you freakin micro-managing control freak, if you want your league to fall apart, go ahead and let this deadline pass." (The union's words, more or less, not mine) And if that happens the league looks like the villain. On the other hand, if the alarmists are right and the strike does happen, a number of these players will be out of work, or playing for less money somewhere else.
It's not like the players are asking for the world. From The Report's vantage point (which is akin to Sarah Palin's proximity to Russia), all they are asking for is to be treated like professional athletes. They want true free agency and they want teams to have a bit more freedom to sign the players they want. Currently, the league makes virtually every decision on players futures.
It is The Report's opinion that the players are not asking too much and that the two sides will come to some sort of agreement before March two five. If they don't, however, it could mean the end of professional soccer as we know it. But probably not.
Truth is, however, this strike vote is classic posturing. The Player's Union has given the league an ultimatum. They've basically said "Look MLS, you freakin micro-managing control freak, if you want your league to fall apart, go ahead and let this deadline pass." (The union's words, more or less, not mine) And if that happens the league looks like the villain. On the other hand, if the alarmists are right and the strike does happen, a number of these players will be out of work, or playing for less money somewhere else.
It's not like the players are asking for the world. From The Report's vantage point (which is akin to Sarah Palin's proximity to Russia), all they are asking for is to be treated like professional athletes. They want true free agency and they want teams to have a bit more freedom to sign the players they want. Currently, the league makes virtually every decision on players futures.
It is The Report's opinion that the players are not asking too much and that the two sides will come to some sort of agreement before March two five. If they don't, however, it could mean the end of professional soccer as we know it. But probably not.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Dear MLS, I'm available if things don't work out
The league won't say anything. The player's union won't say anything. With the the 2010 MLS season kicking off in a little over two weeks, no one really knows for sure if there will be any collective bargaining agreement in place by that time. So what exactly does that mean? Are players going to strike? Is the league going to lock the players out? Do I need to lace up and get ready to play some scab soccer for RSL? Well MLS commissioner Don Garber doesn't think so.
"We will not lock them out, and we are confident they will not go on strike," Garber said at a convention in England, "We’ve got to make decisions that will ensure the long-term financial success of the MLS, and I’m sure we will not make any decisions to prove a point."
Today, news is coming down the line that both parties have agreed to federal mediation. Because talks have stalled and the season is so close at hand, something had to be done considering neither side has budged. The player's union is looking for more free agency rights, while the league wants to maintain tight control of players and teams.
Both sides have good arguments that they are working with, the only reason the MLS has been able to weather this economic storm was their brilliant system of single-entity control of everything however, there is no way the league will ever be able to take that next step forward unless the players and clubs are able to breath a bit in the decision making.
As far as I can see, a deal will get done. When, how, where, all these details are unknown. Major League Soccer plays everything close to the chest and we will only really know when they want us to.
"We will not lock them out, and we are confident they will not go on strike," Garber said at a convention in England, "We’ve got to make decisions that will ensure the long-term financial success of the MLS, and I’m sure we will not make any decisions to prove a point."
Today, news is coming down the line that both parties have agreed to federal mediation. Because talks have stalled and the season is so close at hand, something had to be done considering neither side has budged. The player's union is looking for more free agency rights, while the league wants to maintain tight control of players and teams.
Both sides have good arguments that they are working with, the only reason the MLS has been able to weather this economic storm was their brilliant system of single-entity control of everything however, there is no way the league will ever be able to take that next step forward unless the players and clubs are able to breath a bit in the decision making.
As far as I can see, a deal will get done. When, how, where, all these details are unknown. Major League Soccer plays everything close to the chest and we will only really know when they want us to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
