Daily Update: Thursday July 3, 2008

GAMEDAY: Real Salt Lake versus Houston Dynamo

Rice Eccles Stadium: 8:00 PM, ESPN2

INJURY REPORT:

REAL SALT LAKE - OUT: FW Fabian Espíndola (L MCL sprain); MF Nathan
Sturgis (L hamstring strain); MF Brennan Tennelle (L adductor strain); PROBABLE:
FW Yura Movsisyan (R meniscus surgery) …

HOUSTON DYNAMO -OUT: DF Eddie Robinson (R ankle sprain); DOUBTFUL: FW Guy-Roland Kpene (L hip flexor strain); FW James Georgeff (L ankle sprain); PROBABLE:
DF Pat Ianni (R shoulder sprain); MF Richard Mulrooney (R knee swelling)

(Projected lineup and injury report courtesy of RSL Communications)

MLS Preview: Real Salt Lake v. Houston Dynamo -> Goal.com/Pat Walsh

This match will likely be a repeat as Houston’s midfield is better than the Wizards’, and Real will not have Dema Kovalenko’s services thanks to a suspension. However, RSL will not just sit back. Instead, Javier Morales, who leads the league in assists, will look to overcome Houston’s Ricardo Clark in midfield, dribbling into the attack, and playing off of Andy Williams and Robbie Findley. And if Morales gets a chance to serve a set piece in, look out for Kenny Duechar’s head.

Is Cutler the right choice? - DNews Blog/James Edward

Real Salt Lake-Dynamo winner can take West's top spot - Deseret News/James Edward

"Whoever wins the game is at least going to be in first for a couple days, that's something big for us," said RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman. "It's huge, it could be a six-point swing. We feel it's a good opportunity.

RSL: Team hopes to turn up offense in 2nd half - Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis

RSL leads the league by having taken 208 shots, yet only 84 of them have been on frame, and only 18 have resulted in goals. That's the third lowest ratio in the league. And though they admirably held a late lead to beat league-leading (but also shorthanded) New England at home two weeks ago, it has surrendered a league-worst eight goals in the last 15 minutes of games, directly costing it six points in the standings.

Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo -> FoxSports.com

Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear remains confident his club will find a way to finish strong. "Every day, I think you can improve in every area," he said. "And the one thing that I think we need to work on most is just being consistent day in and day out. I think if we can do that, we are going to be in better shape."

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Daily Update: Sunday May 4, 2008

Real Salt Lake notes: Morales finally shines for RSL -> Deseret News/James Edward
That all changed against the L.A. Galaxy. Morales assisted on RSL's two goals, a sixth-minute strike by Fabian Espindola and an 18th-minute header by Kenny Deuchar. The first goal was the result of a fantastic over-the-top diagonal ball to Espindola, whereas the second was a perfectly lofted pass toward Deuchar near the far post.

Beckham scores twice as Galaxy play to draw ->ESPN Soccernet
The British superstar wasted no time pulling even. Just four minutes later, Beckham drilled a 30-yard laser past Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando on a free kick for the equalizer.
Beckham's two goals were the club's only shots on goal in the first half.

Real Salt Lake: Beckham makes RSL bend -> Deseret News/James Edward
Naturally, RSL coach Jason Kreis departed Rice-Eccles Stadium upset.
"I thought it was a fantastic crowd and I thought we disappointed the crowd," he said. "I thought we should have and could have done better in that match to thank them for coming to support us because they were fantastic."

Real Salt Lake: Beckham puts on clinic for crowd -> Deseret News/Michael Black
"I'm better when I get a chance to control the ball than if I just try to hit it first time," said Beckham. "I got the ball and saw the chance. There was nothing really in the box, so I decided to have a go."

David Beckham double earns LA Galaxy draw -> Daily Telegraph
"It was a good game in the end," Beckham said. "I think that we started off terrible the first 20 minutes. We didn't get close enough to them as a team. We looked scared of them.

RSL: Beckham brings a lot more to soccer than fame - Salt Lake Tribune
Just seconds after Checketts graciously thanked Beckham for being the first to put a shovel into the dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony almost two years ago, speaking as if Beckham had somehow transferred magical powers into the dirt, Checketts casually asked where RSL coach Jason Kreis was. "Back here," he yelled as he watched Friday's press conference behind a throng of reporters and onlookers. "I'm too short to see."

RSL: Beckham's two goals give Los Angeles tie -> Salt Lake Tribune/Martin Renzhofer
The goal came when RSL defender Tony Beltran, in his first start, failed to clear the ball. Kreis praised Beltran's total effort, except this one instance. "The play is a non-issue if the defender clears that play out," Kreis said. "He chose to pass something out of there instead of clearing the ball out. It happened to go to David Beckham, who put it away pretty nicely."

Highlights -> Zephyr

Photo Gallery -> FoxSports.com

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