Real Salt Lake

For both Real Salt Lake and the Sounders, this weekend's match in Utah is vital to regaining the swagger of just a few weeks ago.

RSL's season-long road woes continued last week as they fell to the Chicago Fire 1-0, a game meant to be a building block from their previous match, a 4-2 comeback win at home against FC Dallas; providing more evidence that they are the most schizophrenic team in all of MLS, the attacking pressure that RSL demonstrated in the win was visibly lacking in the loss.

Seattle has also gone through a recent rough stretch: two straight 4-0 losses, a league match against Western Conference bottom-dwellers San Jose and a friendly against Barcelona—Maybe Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg are suffering from post-All Star game issues?

Each club needs a win: RSL to keep their playoff hopes alive, and Seattle to not go into a season-ending slump.

RSL would seem to have the upper hand.

They have played extremely well at home this season, scoring four times as much as they have on the road. Lately, Nick Rimando has also played extremely well on the defensive side, his lone goal against at Chicago coming on a lack of concentration by RSL's defense.

However, Seattle is coming into a great situation. All their major weapons are available for this game, while RSL will possibly be missing two important cogs in Yura Movsisyan (out) and Robbie Russell (doubtful).

In the only other meeting between the clubs, the Sounders came away with a 2-0 victory in Seattle during the team's amazing season-opening streak.

The question comes down to whether RSL can keep the home magic going and play solid soccer for 90 minutes or if Seattle can score some goals and limit RSL's scoring chances.

This should be an exciting match of two teams looking to restore some pride.

It's amazing how far footballers can push their bodies.

The top stars in today's game can find themselves playing well over 60 matches per year between obligations to club and country. The constant competition takes a major physical toll.

And you know what? The fans put in their work as well.

This story starts with a road trip, two friends making a simple drive from Michigan to California. That 2,200-plus mile trek would be arduous enough in itself. Deciding to do that in just a few long chunks? That's pure insanity.

The first leg of the road trip was a rather uneventful 1,200 mile jog to Boulder, CO to crash with my buddy's cousin. After 18 hours of driving through the flat plains of Nebraska and the foothills of the Rockies, we arrived in Boulder with the most important part of the journey still ahead—a seven and a half hour, 534 mile trip to Salt Lake City to watch Real Salt Lake take on FC Dallas at the Rio Tinto stadium on July 24th, immediately followed by an 11-hour, 768 mile overnight drive to San Jose in time to move into an apartment and watch the San Jose Earthquakes and DC United on the 25th.

The idea for this insane two MLS matches in two days, in two time zones road trip started courtesy of fellow Bleacher Creature Patrick Johnston. The basic Michigan to California road trip plan was already in place, with plans to catch San Jose and DC on the 25th, when Patrick emailed me, mentioning that Salt Lake had a match at home on the 24th. I began to think that we could somehow turn an already good road trip into an awesome one.

Leg two started too early, roughly 6:30 AM Mountain Time. The goal was to reach Salt Lake City early enough to have a nice, long break before the match and subsequent drive across the barren desert of northern Nevada.

You don't really get an appreciation for just how massive this country is until you try to drive across the damn thing. I can get to Chicago in just over two hours from my house, but this trip was going to take the better part of three days.

We rolled into Salt Lake City about four hours before kickoff. After walking around for awhile, and finding a nutritious dinner at a Fuddrucker's by the stadium (delicious!), we snagged a pair of seats in the upper deck for $15 apiece.

Little did we know that the next couple of hours would be arguably the most thrilling match of the season.

FC Dallas came out with guns ablaze thanks to the great passing of Dave van den Bergh, and some serious struggles on the part of Salt Lake's Fabian Espindola. Crucial mistakes by Salt Lake all over the pitch led to two first half goals for Dallas and they went into the locker room at halftime with a comfortable lead.

Enter Yura Movsisyan.

Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis brought on the Armenian at halftime, and he wasted no time in getting to work. He put RSL on the board with a goal in the 55th minute. Finally, the hosts had found some confidence.

Real scored again just seven minutes later after Robbie Findley blasted home a penalty. The comeback was in full effect.

But, it looked like Dallas would halt Salt Lake's momentum after Salt Lake was whistled for a handball on a set piece. Jeff Cunningham stepped up to the spot, knowing that a goal would put him past Jason Kreis on MLS' all-time scoring list.

He struck, Nick Rimando dove, and the net didn't bulge. Rimando came up bigger than the surrounding mountains, stonewalling Cunningham with a great penalty save. Momentum was fully with Salt Lake, and Dallas would not be able to hang on.

Salt Lake would add two more goals, an own goal and another Yura Movsisyan strike in stoppage time to seal it. For the price of $15, we'd witnessed six goals, a penalty save, and a brace by a halftime sub.

Adrenaline pumping, we piled in the car and began travelling west on I-80 once again, hoping to reach San Jose in time for the next night's match.

After a very frustrating 13-hour drive that involved a great deal of dust, a minor car issue, and two very tired football fans, we arrived at Buck Shaw Stadium in the 15th minute.

DC had already taken a 1-0 lead thanks to a Christian Gomez penalty. We had barely settled into our seats when Gomez struck again, this time taking advantage of a sloppy rebound given up by San Jose's defense. 2-0 for the second night in a row, would we be treated to a repeat?

At first, it looked like DC would be the team scoring the third goal of the match. They were completely dominating play in the first half, stringing together long amounts of possession and essentially toying with the Earthquakes. San Jose was struggling just to advance the ball to DC's half of the pitch, much less threaten Josh Wicks in goal.

Everything changed in the 36th minute when San Jose won a free kick on the left wing. Cornell Glen flicked the cross toward the far post, where Ryan Johnson was lurking unseen behind a DC defender. Johnson stuck his foot out and hit a spectacular volley past a helpless Wicks.

Game on.

San Jose came out with a renewed sense of purpose in the second half. They had managed to pull a goal back before halftime and that restored some measure of confidence. The Quakes went on the attack through Bobby Convey and Darren Huckerby.

The Quakes hit paydirt in the 62nd minute when Huckerby lofted a cross into the box. Wicks missed getting a glove to it, and Rodney Wallace handled the ball. Penalty kick to the Quakes, and it would be pounded into the back of the net by Cornell Glen.

Despite some promising attacks from both sides and a Jaime Moreno appearance, neither team could break the deadlock. Still, it was an exciting match to watch. Plenty of chances from both sides and some quality play to boot.

After our second match in two days, we stumbled off to find sleeping quarters. Two raging football fanatics, two matches, two time zones, two days. Never has a road trip felt so good.

The Recent Results

Last year was indisputably a turning point in the history of the franchise for Real Salt Lake. They finished third in the West, qualified for their first playoffs, and even made it to the semifinal before losing a heartbreaker to the New York Red Bull. Their defense finally showed up (fourth overall in goals against), so their fans started to as well. 

The Man in Charge

Jason Kreis has done very well at RSL, and I see no reason why he shouldn’t continue to lead that squad to greener pastures. He was a legendary MLS player, and I, for one, think he will end up being even more remembered for being a significant MLS manager. Only time will tell, but I think Kreis will do great things in Utah.

On the Offensive

Javier Morales is a revelation and probably one of the most overlooked players in the league when it comes to accolades. In addition, Movsisyan knows how to find the net and Robbie Findley is always a threat to score. I think RSL’s offense will improve in 2009 and place them in the top half of the table in goals scored.

For the Defense

RSL’s bread and butter is D, especially at home. Borchers and Wingert are steady and strong. Olave is stifling in a pinch, and Kyle Beckerman is one of the best five defensive mids in the league. The goalie issue is still crazy to me. I have nothing against Rimando, but if you aren’t going to play Seitz, why not deal him? 

Movie They Resemble

I know in the 2009 MLS Season Preview: Schedule Edition, I said I would not compare any team to The Passion of the Christ, but I have (as usual) changed my mind. This movie fits RSL like a crown of thorns. RSL, like Jesus, was beaten and flogged for awhile before making a remarkable return to relevancy. 

In addition, the team plays in Utah, which is definitely the No. 1 state in the nation when it comes to devotion to Christians’ Lord and Savior. Plus, their coach is freaking named Kreis, as in The Passion of the Kreis. Moreover, Jason Kreis (JK) and Jesus Christ (JC) have a lot in common. The coach’s wikipedia page even says he enjoys carpentry in his spare time. It’s a no brainer.

And, yep, Satan just penciled me in for a stay at his hot springs. I wonder if Hell has Fox Soccer Channel?

Probably just QVC.

The MLS pre-season is in full swing and this weekend saw San Jose edge Sattle while Real Salt Lake routed the Chinese Super League champions.

The New York Red Bulls picked up their first victory of the MLS preseason, defeating Eastern Conference rival Toronto FC 3-2 on Friday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. In California, the San Jose Earthquakes edged the Seattle Sounders 3-2, while Real Salt Lake made short work of Chinese squad Shandong Luneng Taishan at Oxnard College.

New York Red Bulls 3, Toronto FC 2

The Red Bulls rallied from an early two-goal deficit to defeat Toronto FC, 3-2, Friday afternoon at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

The teams played four, 25-minute periods and Toronto jumped in front on 13 minutes as defender Marvell Wynne played the ball through to Chad Barrett, who ran at goal before sliding it to an unmarked Pablo Vitti, who put it away from eight yards out.

A minute later, Toronto FC doubled their advantage. Amadou Sanyang regained possession in the midfield and passed it to Barrett, whose 25-yard blast beat goalkeeper Danny Cepero.

After Dwayne De Rosario was called for handling a cross in the box, the Red Bulls got a goal back when veteran John Wolyniec converted a penalty kick in the 31st minute.

The Red Bulls got the eventual game-winning goal in the 87th minute when Danleigh Borman cut into the center of the field and played a well-weighted through ball to Mbuta, who slotted it past goalkeeper Brian Edwards.

Then, with three minutes remaining, Mbuta was tripped up in the 18-yard box heading towards goal and the referee pointed to the spot. Lionel Saint-Preux scored on the ensuing penalty kick, giving the Red Bulls, which improved to 1-2-2 in the season, its first victory.

San Jose Earthquakes 3, Seattle Sounders FC 2

Ryan Johnson struck for a first-half brace and rookie Quincy Amarikwa scored the game-winner early in the second half to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 3-2 victory against Seattle Sounders FC in the Major League Soccer Central Coast Showcase at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo Friday.

Johnson struck in the eighth minute, receiving a cross from Ned Grabavoy and slotting a left-footed shot past Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Fredy Montero tied the game for Seattle three minutes later as former Quakes defender James Riley found Nate Jaqua on the wing and he centered the ball to Montero. Montero then found the net with a shot past Quakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

Johnson struck for his second in the 22nd minute. Newly signed forward Cam Weaver headed a ball down to Johnson in the box and he slotted a shot past Keller to put San Jose back in front.

Johnson nearly had a hat trick in the 31st minute after striking a shot from a narrow angle on the left that swung past Keller. But the ball clanged off the crossbar and away from the net.

Montero added his second just before the stroke of halftime, taking a pass from Sebastien Le Toux and heading a shot to the far post past Cannon.

Amarikwa netted the winner for the Earthquakes with an unassisted goal less than 40 seconds into the second half. The third-round draft choice out of UC Davis beat Keller one-on-one in the box for his first goal of the preseason.

Goalkeeper Andrew Weber came up clutch for the Earthquakes in the 85th minute, stopping a point-blank shot from Sanna Nyassi to secure the win.

Real Salt Lake 8, Shandong Luneng Taishan 0

Real Salt Lake took a 3-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes and cruised to an 8-0 victory against Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng Taishan at Oxnard College on Friday.

Tino Nunez struck for the first of his two goals in the first minute and Will Johnson put RSL in front, 2-0, in the 10th minute. Yura Movsisyan gave Real Salt Lake a 3-0 lead on 15 minutes and Nunez capped the first-half scoring with his second goal in the 40th minute.

Arthur Aghasyan got his name on the scoreboard in the 55th minute and Alex Nimo added the sixth goal from the penalty spot seven minutes later.

Luis Miguel Escalada made it 7-0 for RSL in the 80th minute and, to add insult to injury for Shandong Luneng Taishan, the Chinese squad allowed an own goal two minutes from full time.

El Real Salt Lake, según informan nuestros amigos de MLS Rumors, habría fichado al lateral izquierdo brasileño Jorginho Paulista para la temporada 2009 en la MLS.

De acuerdo a su currículum, Paulista (o Jorginho) ha jugado entre otros clubes en el Udinese de Italia, PSV de Holanda, Boca Juniors de Argentina y Vaco da Gama de Brasil. Su último equipo fue el poderoso Tianjin de China (?).

Basados en su experiencia, el brasileño debería andar bien en una liga en crecimiento como la MLS.

Sin embargo, al hacer un poco de investigación con respecto a su carrera me di cuenta que tiene más fracasos que victorias a su haber y que en ninguno de los equipos donde ha estado (a pesar de ser equipos grandes) ha logrado destacar (incluso en Italia fue castigado con cinco años sin poder entrar al país por haber jugado con pasaporte falso).

Finalmente, en un artículo que encontré en un sitio argentino, un hincha de Boca pedía que la próxima vez que trajeran un refuerzo brasileño “por favor no sea un Jorginho Paulista.”

Y otro fue más lejos y dijo: “para los que saben de fútbol y vieron jugar a Boca en la cancha, sin duda que el peor lateral de la historia fue un brasileño llamado Jorginho que estuvo en el 2001 y jugó 1 sólo partido. Un ejemplo a la amargura.”

Sin embargo y a pesar de lo que encontré en internet, de verdad espero que Jorginho Paulista ande bien en el Real Salt Lake y sea un aporte a la MLS, por el bien de todos.

Pero tengo mis dudas. Muchas.

Q: Crees que Jorginho Paulista es el tipo de jugadores que necesita la MLS? Explica.

For some reason, no matter how bad the Amerks are.  They can always get a point or two out of the defending Calder Cup champions.  Tonight was no exception.

Although in real life the Amerks won this game 4-2…the score the officials gave them was a 3-2 shootout loss.  The officiating tonight made me want to vomit.  I almost threw my soda bottle at the guy but, then I thought about not wanting to be asked to leave.

The first goal taken away came in the first period.  The Amerks scored first…to take the lead.  The wonderful referee…Chris Brown…said it was in…it was clearly in on all accounts.  But, after the Wolves told him it wasn’t in, he asked a linesman (who was no where even near the play) and he changed his mind and took it off.  I wonder if Mr Brown had money riding on this game.

In the third period, Janis Sprukts had a nice breakaway.  He took it in, had a nice shot, it dinged off the post…but over the goal line.  The red light went on, the goal horn was sounded…it was in.  Then it was taken off the board again.

Can the Amerks catch a break?  They played amazing tonight on all accounts.  Everyone was into the game.  They didn’t allow the two false goals get them down.  And Beckford-Tseu came up with some big saves to keep the team alive.

Scoring for the Amerks tonight was Michal Repik (who also scored the first taken away goal) and Stefan Meyer…who was boarded right before getting up to score (no call…of course).

Beckford-Tseu was the 3rd star of tonight’s game and Stefan Meyer was the 1st.  Well deserved.  They played their hearts out.

The Wolves won the shootout when none of the Amerks shooters could produce.  But, I am not complaining.  This game was probably the best game I have seen all year.  And I certainly hope they carry this over when they travel to Hamilton for tomorrow and Sunday.

I am making the trip, so expect updates on how the guys are doing.

I want to see fire this weekend.  Fire.

Post from: Lets Go Amerks - Rochester Americans

Amerks Weren’t Thrown to the Wolves…Pick Up One Point

The magical season for Real Salt Lake continued Saturday with a thrilling 2-2 tie against second-seeded Chivas USA, winning 3-2 on aggregate.

Salt Lake will take on either the top-seeded Houston Dynamo or fourth-seeded New York Red Bulls, who play the second leg of their matchup on Sunday.

After going down a goal in the first half, RSL battled back to tie and take the lead against Chivas before hanging on to the draw that saw them through to the conference final.

Chivas opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Javier Morales fouled Ante Razov on the right side of the 18-yard box, setting up a penalty kick which Sacha Kljestan blasted into the upper right corner to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Morales made up for conceding the penalty when his cross was headed in by Dema Kovalenko in the 39th minute to level the match at 1-1.

“I’m really disappointed that we gave up such a soft goal,” Chivas coach Preki said. “In the second half we had to make changes and go forward and in doing this we leave gaps in the back and then we give away another very soft goal, the softest goal you’ll ever see.”

Morales gave Salt Lake a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute, blasting a shot from the left side of the penalty area into the far right corner of the net.

RSL had to withstand a Chivas USA onslaught during the final minutes of the match. Needing two goals to force overtime, Chivas had to attack and they got one back when Justin Braun evened the score six minutes later.

The home team supplied heavy pressure over the game’s final couple minutes, but Chivas was unable to get one more goal to extend the match as the RSL defense and goalkeeper Nick Rimando were able to keep Chicas at bay for the rest of the game.

"We were under a lot of pressure,” Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said. “I think [goalkeeper] Nick Rimando was a complete monster out there tonight. I think the defense showed tonight how much they’ve improved. Early in the season I don’t think they would have held like they did tonight.”

Chivas coach Preki said: “I feel unlucky not to have scored in the last few minutes. Overall, I’m happy with the effort my guys put forward and I wish Salt Lake the best of luck.”

The result also showed RSL’s ability to rise to the challenge of playing on the road, where the team struggled all season long.

“We knew we had the ability to get to where we are today,” Rimando said. “Where we used to not finish games and give up bad goals, now we’re not doing that. We also fought together and that was the main thing.”

Wow, did anyone listen to my playoff picks a few weeks ago and decide to bet a little money down the stretch on the teams I picked?

I sure didn’t.

I wish I had though, as I was (uncharacteristically) right on when it came to who would be the postseason squads. Kansas City, New York, and RSL all secured spots in the final weeks.

Now the playoffs are officially on and it’s time to predict some more winners. I wouldn’t bet on these though as I likely used up what little foresight I had with those pre-playoff picks. I won’t be due for another correct prediction until the 2016 Kentucky Derby. But here it goes anyways.

KC and CMB tied 1-1 and now the Supporters Shield winners head home for leg two. I don’t know how you couldn’t like the Crew in this one. But, like I’ve always said, you can never underestimate Jimmy Conrad and the Wiz. I still like the Crew though at home, 1-0.

HOU eeked out a draw with NYRB. Now, the Dynamo will host the Red Bulls in the comfort of their home arena in the all-important second match. I like Houston to win this one with style, 3-1.  

RSL and CHV met in a thriller in that beautiful new stadium in Utah. Real Salt Lake pulled out an unbelievable 1-0 win on a late Movsisyan goal. I commend Preki on his job this year, but RSL is a team of fate it appears, and I expect them to escape to the next round on aggregate, 1-1.

Finally, CHI and NER met in New England for leg one and played to a tough draw. Now, CHI will play at home against a Revs team that has been decimated by injury. I believe experience will be the difference and CHI has it on their side so long as NER lacks their crafty leader, Steve Ralston. McBride and Blanco get the Fire by to the conference finals, 2-0.

Well, even though I’m a straight up prediction whore tonight, here’s one I won’t make.

President of the United States. 

All I know is this: Tomorrow, one man will become the next president of America. One man (or woman) will become the next VP. Between the four of them, none of them will be named Dick Cheney.

That’s a good thing for us (and U.S.) I think. Not so great for his ol’ hunting buddies. He’s gonna have a lot more free time on his hands and I think quail season may have just started.

It did not look like it was going to come, but finally Real Salk Lake broke through the Chivas USA rearguard in the 89th minute Saturday night to take a 1-0 lead in this Western Conference semifinal series

Real Salt Lake was the aggressor all night, holding a 21-3 shots advantage, but the team failed to capitalize until Yura Movsisyan finally delivered by directing in a cross from midfielder Javier Morales .

“(Yura) made things extremely difficult for (Chivas’) two center backs all night,” Real head coach Jason Kreis said. “It was good to see he was rewarded for all his hard work.”

It was the second time in as many games that Movsisyan has scored a season-altering goal for RSL in the 90th minute. In the final game of the regular season, the team’s leading scorer tallied a goal against the Colorado Rapids at the same point in the contest as RSL tied its Rocky Mountain rival and clinch the first playoff berth in franchise history.

“We seem to get it done,” Movsisyan said. “Great guys in the locker room. Everyone put the effort in.”

Saturday night’s late goal was equally as important.

“It was similar (only) in that we scored a late goal,” Kreis said. “The difference was this was one of our best games of all time.”

 

The return leg is next Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. - Buy Chivas vs RSL Tickets

The surprising late season surge of Salt Lake has captured the attention of MLS fans throughout the nation. With three weeks left, Salt Lake is currently poised to capture the third seed in the West and qualify for their first ever postseason appearance.

RSL starts its bid for MLS Cup glory by playing its first ever home game at Rio Tinto Stadium this Thursday night against the Red Bulls on ESPN2. Surely, Salt Lake cannot be lacking for motivation as this all-important game approaches. Then, RSL will have nine days to prepare for Dallas at home before finishing the season on the road against the Rapids.

As one can see, Salt Lake is the only team still fighting for a playoff spot that will have to play three other feisty teams seeking postseason positions, which is a big detriment. While other teams finish against the cream of the MLS crop, teams that have already qualified or appear sure to qualify will approach the last few games conservatively. Meanwhile, RSL’s foes will be laying it all on the line.

I still think RSL gets the third spot in the West though. They have two home games left and have only lost at home once all season. Moreover, their new stadium, coupled with their first shot at the playoffs, should bring out the fans to torment their opponents. I suspect they will get a W this Thursday and procure at least a draw on October 18th, which will likely be enough to push them into the postseason.

As RSL has split games with Dallas and Colorado, those games will be even more exciting as point total ties are decided by the tied teams’ head-to-head matchups. It’s not unthinkable that Colorado and RSL could be playing a unique game for survival on October 25th. If so, RSL better hope they can keep their recent road surge alive at the Dick on their regular season’s final day.

I’m betting Morales and Movsisyan get this team into the big dance. If not, RSL fans will have to wait another year to see if their squad can finally crack its long playoff drought.