MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo v. Real Salt Lake -> Goal.com/Pat Walsh
Real will try to use Dema Kovalenko to disrupt De Ro. The Ukrainian hardman should make life difficult for the Canadian if he is able to recover from an illness and suit up. Similarly, Ricardo Clark will try to slow down RSL’s playmaker Javier Morales. The Argentine has not registered an assist in two months and needs to find his passing touch if Real is to make a serious run at MLS Cup.
Mathis Joins Real Salt Lake -> Goal.com
We expect Clint to be able to step up in a plethora of roles and contribute. Clint chose RSL over several other offers and really wanted to come back to Salt Lake. We have embraced his return with open arms."
RSL's Williams Battles On And Off the Field -> Goal.com/Randy Davis
It’s his talk of his family that brings us to Williams’s second battle, a much more important one. On July 3rd of this year, just moments before the kickoff of an RSL match -- coincidentally, against Houston -- Williams received some heart-wrenching news: His wife Marcia (pronounced “mar-see-yah”) had been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia, which would require a bone-marrow transplant and chemotherapy.
Real Salt Lake: Olave's hard-nosed play belies his gentle nature -> Deseret News/Michael Black
On the field, the 27-year-old Colombian is a monster. He is a physical specimen whose hard-nosed play has sent many opponents wayward wishing they never would have tangled.
RSL: Is second time a charm for Clint Mathis? -> Salt Lake Tribune/Tony Jones
"I guess I have a short memory," Kreis said. "Clint didn't hurt his reputation when he was here. He was a great guy in the locker room, and I don't feel like he did anything bad. I think the main problem for Clint is that people were expecting so much out of him, and frankly the team around him wasn't good enough for him to be a star."
Friday, August 15, 2008
Today's Updates: August 15, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Today's Updates: Tuesday July 29, 2008
RSL Takes Four-Point Lead in West -> Goal.com
In what was a rare Monday night game at Rice Eccles stadium, the script seemed well-written. Real Salt Lake managed to extend its unbeaten streak at home by outscoring Toronto FC 2-1 in front of an announced crowd of 12,319.
RSL avoid late-match meltdown -> MLSnet/John Coon
But Robbie Findley refused to let the game become the latest to get away from Real in the closing minutes. Findley keyed a 2-1 RSL victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Monday night when he stuck a dagger in the Reds' comeback hopes with a spectacular game-winning goal in the 87th minute.
Summertime Fun: RSL 2 - Toronto FC 1 -> RSL.theoffside.com/Akeem Samuels
The game was scoreless until the 63rd minute when the Colombian, Jamison Olave headed in a beautiful cross from 20 yards away, past Toronto FC Goalkeeper Greg Sutton. However after an unnecessary take down by Olave in the 83rd minute, Toronto’s Amado Guevara directed a free kick into the top left corner pocket to bring the game at 1-all. In the dying minutes, Robbie Findley put a Sutton deflection into to the net to extend the team’s points lead over Houston and Los Angeles to 4, extend the team’s home unbeaten streak to 11, and going into this unprecedented 18 day team break on a high note.
Real Salt Lake: Real-ly above .500 after Monday night win -> Deseret News/James Edward
"To give away a goal late in the game and to react the way they did makes me incredibly proud ... to not only be leading this group but to feel like I'm part of this group," said Kreis.
Real Salt Lake defender Olave is hitting his stride in time -> Deseret News/Dan Rasmussen
"He's been nothing short of spectacular," said RSL's coach.
Real Salt Lake notes: Russell makes quick debut for RSL -> Deseret News/James Edward
"It was just that first chance to get a feel for the league and what the play is like, and we got a win so I can't complain," said Russell. "It was definitely interesting getting used to that turf. It was only my second day on the turf."
RSL: RSL's win keeps home spotless -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
Just when it looked as if Real Salt Lake would end its first home game as a first-place team the same discouraging way it finished so many others while languishing in last, Robbie Findley slid to the rescue.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Today's Update: Monday July 28, 2008
MLS: Tonight's home game critical for first-place RSL -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
"People are really starting to notice a little bit that we're not that doormat team that used to be," Beckerman said.
Real Salt Lake readies for season's biggest game -> Deseret News/James Edward
Real Salt Lake's coach didn't hesitate in the slightest in dubbing tonight's match with visiting Toronto FC the biggest of the season. "I wouldn't make any quandaries about it," said Kreis. "That's the way I've put it to the team. There's no doubt about it, we have to have three points."
Real Salt Lake: Game Day -> Deseret News
Davis: Morales Leading the Charge in Salt Lake -> Goal.com
“It’s good,” said Morales, who has three goals to go with his team-leading seven assists (tied for second in MLS). “Every time we’re playing better. It’s better soccer. We’re putting in the work and maintaining the first place spot, but our goal is to make the playoffs.”
For that to happen, the star of Javier Morales will have to continue to shine.
The Monday MLS Breakdown: Halfway There -> Goal.com/Kyle McCarthy
How did they get here? No one's quite too sure how it happened, but Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman and Nat Borchers are three obvious contributors to the cause.
What do they need to get to where they want to go? Jason Kreis' pupu platter of strikers needs Fabian Espindola and perhaps even further arrivals to bolster the offensive production.
How will the second half unfold? A true MLS Cup challenge may be too much to ask, but this team is good enough to seal the franchise's first playoff berth and perhaps go even farther than that.
MLS Preview: Real Salt Lake v. Toronto FC -> Goal.com/Pat Walsh
RSL’s playmaker, Javier Morales, has done well in running Real’s offense this season, and he is second in the league in assists. And with both Maurice Edu and Marvell Wynne missing from Toronto’s side due to Olympic duty, he should have more space to operate in. Also, Kyle Beckerman will try to get forward even more on RSL’s left side, looking to play crosses into Kenny Deuchar’s head.
Toronto FC may have found new scoring power -> National Post/Mark Masters
Toronto FC faces Real Salt Lake Monday in Utah and may have a new striker in the lineup.
The club has agreed to trade the rights to Brian McBride to the Chicago Fire and will reportedly get 23-year-old striker Chad Barrett back as part of a package that will also include a draft pick and allocation money.
Borchers planning to give back with clinic -> Pueblo Chieftain Online/Tracy Renck
"We have a break in the MLS schedule and I thought I would put on a soccer clinic," the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Borchers said. "I've never been able to put on a soccer clinic in the summer because I've always been playing and I'm excited for this clinic." Borchers, a center backer, has helped power Real Salt Lake to a 6-6-6 record, which is good for first place in the MLS' Western Conference. Real Salt Lake entertains Toronto at 7 p.m. Monday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Robbie Russell Joins Real Salt Lake
Here are some things that Garth pointed out:
- Played for Rosenborg (Norway) and most recently
- Viborg in Norway
- His wife has a house in Park City
- Was kept a secret because of allocation process???
- Fastest 40 on the team
- Plays 7 positions (all along backline, d-mid and outside mid)
- hasn't played competitive much in last 9 months (injury???)
- Right-footed player
- Will be in SLC tomorrow and could be eligible for Monday's game
- Comes to us at a reasonable salary
- We are left with 1 roster spot, 2 international spots, and plenty of salary cap room
- Quiet player and quality guy
- Will be an on-the-field leader to help younger guys with positioning
- Struggled a little bit w/ altitude during trial
- Fitness may be an issue initially
From Dunord:
"Viborg has agreed to release fullback Robbie Russell from his contract so he can come back home from Denmark and play in MLS. Is there a team that wants a guy who has barely played the last 2 seasons due to knee problems? I guess if he goes on trial and shows he is back to full health, then anything is possible. "
From Soccer America:
"According to a source at one of the MLS teams, defenders Robbie Russell and Cory Gibbs are being shopped around. Russell, who turns 29 next month, has played in Iceland, Norway and Denmark since leaving Duke University after the 2000 season and has been with Viborg FF in the Danish league for the past two seasons.Since he's never been capped by the national team, though he's attended several training camps, Russell wouldn't be subject to the allocation process. He was drafted by the Galaxy after completing his college career, and elected not to sign with the league within two years after being drafted, so he would be subject to a special lottery."
From Columbus Dispatch (blog):
"Defender Robbie Russell is another candidate, but if he signed with MLS he might be put into a one-time lottery like Robbie Rogers was last year."
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Gameday: RSL -vs- Chicago
INJURY REPORTS:CHI - OUT: FW Andy Herron (concussion); DF Dasan Robinson (R ankle
sprain); FW Calen Carr (L knee sprain); DOUBTFUL: DF Gonzalo Segares (L
mid-foot sprain); PROBABLE: MF Brian Plotkin (SI dysfunction) …
strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Nathan Sturgis (L hamstring strain); PROBABLE:
DF Tony Beltran (L adductor), DF Ian Joy (R hamstring), MF Alex Nimo
(R hip flexor strain), GK Kyle Reynish (R hamstring strain)
RSL: RSL looks to get rolling on road -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
Sunday, July 13, 2008
FIRST PLACE!!!
Real Salt Lake notes: New starters provide spark -> Deseret News/James Edward
"It was really just looking Kenny and Robbie in the eye and seeing they were getting a little bit frustrated," said Kreis. "I know from my history of being a goal-scorer that it can become very mentally fatiguing, and I thought those two they needed a break, and I also thought that Yura and Tino over the past couple of weeks have deserved the opportunity."
Columbus at RSL player grades -> DNews Blog/James Edward
RSL: From worst to first -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
One hundred and ten games and 1,197 days since the team played its first game in Major League Soccer, after the arrival and departure of 51 players, the reconstruction of a coaching staff and front office, and a long public battle over the construction of a new stadium, the team has finally reached first place.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Daily Update: July 9, 2008
RSL: RSL looking to kick-start offense -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
But considering that RSL - for all its recent sniping at the referees - has scored only three goals in its past six Major League Soccer games, coach Jason Kreis is viewing it as a game that potentially gets his team into a rhythm again as it fights for the first playoff appearance in its four-year history. "Maybe somebody figures out how to score in that . . . game, and that just follows through to Saturday and then we get on a little bit of a roll," Kreis ventured.
RSL to host Major League Soccer's All-Star Game -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
With construction of its new stadium nearly complete, Real Salt Lake and Major League Soccer will announce today that the team will host the annual MLS All-Star Game next season. Sources close to the decision confirmed it, though team and league officials declined to comment Tuesday; they are holding a news conference today at 10:30 a.m. at the stadium in Sandy to make their announcement.
Real Salt Lake: Offense may need friendly fire -> Deseret News/James Edward
RSL coach Jason Kreis believes his team is creating enough opportunities, but the confidence just isn't there to finish them off. He's hoping a visit from Mexican club Santos Laguna for tonight's international friendly at Rice-Eccles Stadium helps cure the scoring rut.
Real Salt Lake: Long-shot Nunez showing he belongs -> Deseret News/James Edward
For players bypassed in the more prestigious SuperDraft, they have approximately a 50 percent chance of making an MLS roster their first year. Within two years, there's about a 15 percent chance they'll even still be around. Real Salt Lake forward Tino Nunez is hoping to defy those daunting odds.
MLS to bring '09 All-Stars to Salt Lake -> Deseret News
Real Salt Lake is expected to announce at a press conference this morning that it will host the 2009 MLS All-Star game at its new stadium in Sandy. RSL will hold the press conference at 10:30 a.m. inside its 20,000-seat stadium, which is under construction but expected to be usable later this year. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will be on hand, as well as owner Dave Checketts, MLS president Mark Abbott and local politicians.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Post-Game Reaction
Wizards end winless streak by downing Real Salt Lake -> Kansas City Star/Bob Luder
Maybe it was a little magic from a Wizard of Waverly Place. In the end, it took the head of an opposing player. But the Wizards finally got a goal. And it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
RSL at Kansas City player grades -> DNews Blog/Dan Rasmussen
RSL's finishing troubles rumble on -> MLSNet/Thomas Foote
The chances keep coming, the targets are set, but unfortunately for Real Salt Lake, the ball isn't going into the net.
Real Salt Lake: Poof! Wizards make RSL's hopes vanish -> Deseret News/Robert Whitman
"I thought we did all the necessary stuff that you need to pick up a result on the road," Kreis said. "I thought we were together, we worked very hard, and we created enough chances to score that goal that would have taken us over the top. In the end the quality of final touch wasn't there again for us tonight, and we paid for it."
Late own goal snaps RSL's streak -> Daily Herald
Finally, with a little help, the Wizards found reward for their pressure in the 89th minute. Ryan Pore drew a free kick 20 yards out on the left wing after another pass from Lopez. Arnaud took the kick with his right boot and sent the ball for captain Jimmy Conrad in the middle of the box. Beltran won the heading duel, but still sent the ball into his own net past a beleaguered Rimando.
Real Salt Lake: Beltran's late-game own goal sinks RSL -> Salt Lake Tribune/Stuart Goldman
"It's hard for us to feel satisfied," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "This is another game where you have to feel like you dropped a point. If we're a little more focused for the last couple of minutes, we pick up a point. That's happened too often to us this year."
(Recap and Quotes courtesy of RSL Communications):
RSL Remains in Second-Place Tie in West Standings Heading into Showdown with Houston on Thursday
KANSAS CITY, KS (Saturday, June 28, 2008) – Real Salt Lake saw its franchise-record tying five game undefeated streak snapped in heartbreaking fashion Saturday night, as an 89th minute own goal marked the only scoring in a 1-0 defeat at the Kansas City Wizards in front of a sellout crowd of 10,385 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. After Real Salt Lake benefitted from an own goal in a victory over New England last Saturday, the Utah side would be victimized by a similar play a week later, with a free kick sent into the penalty area by Kansas City FW Claudio Lopez deflecting off the head of RSL DF Tony Beltran as he battled Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad for the ball inside the six-yard box.
With the result, Real Salt Lake remains in a second-place tie in the Western Conference standings alongside the Houston Dynamo, who will visit the Wasatch Front on Thursday night (8:00 p.m. MT, live on ESPN2) in a battle for positioning in the tightly-grouped conference. Meanwhile, the Wizards snapped a seven-game winless streak with the three points on the evening, moving to within another victory of fifth-place sharers D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls in the East standings.
For the full MLSnet.com recap of tonight’s contest, please click on the link below:
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080628&content_id=168987&vkey=news_rsl&fext=.jsp&team=t121
Real Salt Lake (5-6-4) vs. Kansas City Wizards (4-5-4) June 28, 2008 -- CommunityAmerica Ballpark
Scoring Summary: KC -- Own Goal (Tony Beltran) 89
Real Salt Lake -- Nick Rimando, Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Chris Wingert, Andy Williams (Kenny Cutler 80), Dema Kovalenko, Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Robbie Findley (Tino Nunez 69), Kenny Deuchar (Yura Movsisyan 69)
Substitutes Not Used: Matias Cordoba, Ian Joy, Matias Mantilla, Chris Seitz
Kansas City Wizards -- Kevin Hartman, Jack Jewsbury, Jimmy Conrad, Aaron Hohlbein (Chance Myers 78), Michael Harrington, Davy Arnaud, Kurt Morsink, Sasha Victorine (Carlos Marinelli 62), Scott Sealy, Ivan Trujillo (Ryan Pore 62), Claudio Lopez.
Substitutes Not Used: Eric Kronberg, Jonathan Leathers, Ryan McMahen, Tyson Wahl
-------------------Kansas City Wizards---------------------------Real Salt Lake
total shots: -------21 (3 tied with 4)------------------------------ 13 (Kenny Deuchar 4)
shots on goal: ------2 (Claudio Lopez 1, Scott Sealy 1)--------------6 (Kenny Deuchar 2, Yura Movsisyan 2)
fouls: --------------4 (4 tied with 1)-------------------------------13 (Kenny Deuchar 3)
offsides: -----------1 (Scott Sealy 1)-------------------------------2 (Kenny Deuchar 1, Robbie Findley 1)
corner kicks:--------8 (Claudio Lopez 6)-----------------------------1 (Javier Morales 1)
saves:--------------5 (Kevin Hartman 5)----------------------------2 (Nick Rimando 2)
Misconduct Summary:
RSL -- Kenny Deuchar (caution; Reckless Foul) 11
RSL -- Dema Kovalenko (caution; Dissent) 31
Referee: Alex Prus
Referee's Assistants: Thomas Supple; Jeff Muschik
4th Official: Doug Wolff
Time of Game: 1:52
Attendance: 10,385
Weather: Sunny -and- 83 degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the game
“It was an extremely hard-fought game. All I care about is three points. In this league it’s not always about how pretty it is, but at the end of the day it’s about getting three points. I’m extremely pleased with the win and we’re just going to build on it.”
On the sellout crowd
“It was excellent and I’m extremely pleased that we were able to get three points in front of them. They deserved it. We have excellent fans here and we want to continue to build onto our already wonderful fan base every day.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD
On the win
“It was great to get the monkey off our back. We’ve been looking for a win for a long time. Now we don’t have to worry about a winless streak or talk about it anymore. It’s huge for our confidence. There’s a real thin line between success and failure in this league and confidence is the real difference maker.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS GOALKEEPER KEVIN HARTMAN
On the win
“It was a great effort, and a great defensive effort. The guys worked really, really hard. Maybe it takes just a little bit of luck to break the losing streak we were on. We’re excited to get three points at home.”
On posting his League-leading 6th shutout
“I’d like to say that I had more of a roll in it. I think I had two tough saves but most of the saves were just routine. It really comes back to the fact that the guys really competed tonight.”
REAL SALT LAKE HEAD COACH JASON KREIS
On the game
“I thought we did all the necessary stuff that you need to to pick up a result on the road. I thought we were together, we worked very hard and we created enough chances to score that goal that would have taken us over the top. In the end, the quality, the touch wasn’t there and we paid for it.”
On the own goal
“It is very frustrating, I know that Tony will feel very outdone by it. When you put balls in dangerous spots, those things will happen. So I wouldn’t necessarily fault the final touch that put it in the back of the net, but why we gave that free kick away in such a dangerous spot in such a dangerous moment in the game.”
On Kansas City’s attack
“I thought that Kansas City came out very aggressively tonight. It is a fair result to be honest because they created the majority of the chances. It was a typical away game for us.”
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Daily Update: June 28, 2008
INJURY REPORTS
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS -OUT: MF Kevin Souter (MCL sprain), QUESTIONABLE:
MF Kerry Zavagnin (foot strain); PROBABLE: FW Ivan Trujillo (ankle
sprain) …
REAL SALT LAKE - OUT: MF Nathan Sturgis (L hamstring strain);
FW Fabian Espíndola (L knee contusion); QUESTIONABLE: FW Yura
Movsisyan (R meniscus surgery); FW Robbie Findley (concussion)
(injury reports and projected lineup courtesy of RSL Communications)
Real Salt Lake: Win would vault Real into first place -> Deseret News/James Edward
Sitting in second place in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake is quickly shedding the losing culture that plagued the franchise the first three years. There's legitimate talk of playoffs as the club prepares to move into its new stadium in the final month of the 2008 season.
RSL: Worst to first? -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
Since sitting one loss away from last place in all of Major League Soccer, RSL has executed what could turn out to be a season-saving turnaround by building a franchise-record five-game unbeaten streak. And if they can extend the streak by winning at slumping Kansas City tonight, RSL will vault over the glamorous Los Angeles Galaxy - for one day, at least - and into first place in the MLS Western Conference for the first time in their history.
Streaking RSL invade K.C. -> MLSNet
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Daily Update: June 1, 2008
Real Salt Lake: RSL shakes off blues versus Earthquakes -> Deseret News/James Edward
"I think there was quite a few players, myself included, that wanted to feel sorry for ourselves at that point," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. The moping seemed to last until halftime, but when the players finally got over the early letdown the rout was on. Spurred on by a fantastic performance from second-half substitute Robbie Findley, RSL dominated the rest of the way en route to a 3-1 victory over San Jose in front of 15,977 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium
Findley's play the difference for RSL Saturday -> Deseret News/Michael Black
He really energized us from the first moment he came on," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "I thought he was bright and sharp. He has been playing particularly well in the training sessions for the past few weeks. Really, I felt like for a while it was just a matter of time until Robbie puts his best foot forward and tonight he did that."
Real Salt Lake: Players are 'better spaced,' RSL coach says of defense -> Deseret News/James Edward
"The players seem to be better connected, better spaced, we weren't so strung out from top to bottom," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "I think that we're learning."
San Jose at RSL Player Grades -> DesNews Blog/James Edward
Javier Morales (8) -- The only thing that prevented him from a higher grade was missing a third minute penalty kick, and seemingly pouting about it for about a half hour. He was outstanding in the second half though with a goal and an assist.
RSL: Still unbeaten at home -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
"Quite frankly, I thought we were miserable in the first half," coach Jason Kreis said. "Very, very disappointed, because I thought we were going to see 90 minutes of quality soccer tonight. . . . So at halftime, we challenged them quite a bit, and I was very, very proud to see the way they came out and reacted to that challenge in the second half."
RSL roster heating it up -> Ogden Standard Examiner/Jasen Asay
"He has been playing particularly well in the training sessions for the past few weeks so really I felt like, for a while, that it was just a matter of time until Robbie puts his best foot forward and tonight he did that," said RSL coach Jason Kreis.
Real Salt Lake roll past San Jose -> MLSNet/John Coon
Findley came on for starting forward Fabian Espindola in the 45th minute and immediately torched the San Jose Earthquakes -- scoring one second-half goal and setting up another to propel RSL to a 3-1 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday evening.
Quakes lose in Salt Lake City -> San Francisco Chronicle
Robbie Findley scored in the 48th minute and assisted Javier Morales' goal 12 minutes later, leading Real Salt Lake to a 3-1 victory over the Earthquakes on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.
Quakes routed by Real Salt Lake -> Monterey Herald/Andrew Aragon
The Quakes were lethargic on offense, managing just two shots on goal in a demoralizing 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake in front of 15,977 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The loss dropped the expansion Quakes to 2-6-1, and robbed them of a chance to crawl out of the basement in the Major League Soccer Western Conference standings.
Match Photos: Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes -> AYL Soccer/Chris Nicholl
Match Report: RSL 3 San Jose 1 -> AYL soccer/Aaron Bentley
There's No Place Like Home -> RSLBoz
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Home Sweet Home
- Great outcome but should have been expected. Temporarily puts us 3 games out of 1st in the West. A word of caution though - we are just starting a phase heavy on home games. We are undefeated in 5 home games this season. We NEED to win these due to the inability we have shown to pick up points on the road.
- Kreis indicated that an article in todays newspaper (presumably Michael C. Lewis' article yesterday actually) may have provided motivation for the team.
- Chris Wingert: good game getting forward and helping to create havoc in the final 3rd. Was this elevated play on his behalf or just a result of him having more freedom due to San Jose's inability to put pressure on RSL's defense?
- Javier Morales: Man of the match. Probably best match of the season. Scored a goal and an assist to put him in the league lead in that category.
- Robbie Findley: Break out game or anomoly? The goal he scored was a solid strike (although I'm a bit surprised that Cannon didn't get a hand on it. He showed decent touch and actually did something with the ball on several occasions.
- Fabian Espindola: reportedly left the game with a slight injury. Appeared visibily upset on the sideline, and was dressed and exiting the stadium within about 3 minutes of the end of the match. Is there something beyond the injury at play here?
- Kenny Deuchar and Ryan Cochrane had an emotional, heated personal battle that lasted throughout the match.
- Word on the street is that the Leo that appeared at the match was an imposter.
MLS POSTGAME QUOTE SHEET (courtesy RSL communications)
REAL SALT LAKE 3 : 1 SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008
RICE-ECCLES STADIUM – SALT LAKE CITY, UT
REAL SALT LAKE FW ROBBIE FINDLEY
On the flow of the game:
“The first half was a little bit sloppy, we didn’t have a real good flow of the game. But for the second half we got a little talking [in the locker room], got us riled up and we went out and played like we wanted to.”
On the pressure to win:
“We knew we had to get (the win), but we’re at home, we’ve been doing well at home so far, so we just had to go out there and keep doing the same thing we’ve been doing and be able to hold them for 90 minutes.”
REAL SALT LAKE FW KENNY DEUCHAR
On the play of Robbie Findley:
“I’ve got to hand it to Robbie, he came into the game and started the game for us with a goal and an assist. He was excellent for us today.”
On RSL’s home-field advantage:
“It’s real important when you play in any league that your home form is good. That’s obviously five games, six if you include the Open Cup game, that we’re undefeated at home. We’ve got a lot of good wins right here as well. We’ve got to concentrate on keeping this place a very had place to come to. Teams don’t like coming here, and if they know we are good at home they’re going to like it even less.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP
On what happened after the good start:
“We did well in the first half and came into halftime nil-nil, which away from home is what you try to do. Obviously a goal would’ve been good but we didn’t even really look like scoring the first half. It’s just disappointing the goals that went in, the first one was a good goal, it was a good strike by [Robbie] Findley, the second one looked a little easy but I’d have to look at them on tape. It’s always a little difficult to figure out.”
On playing in Salt Lake City three times in seven weeks:
“I’m not in love with the field to be honest; it was a terrible game to watch. The first half was awful. It’s just tough for our players to come and play on it, that’s hard. We play them in a couple weeks and we better be ready for that one. We had the Open Cup and we conceded four goals and tonight three, so we need to make sure we’re ready for the next game.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MF RAMIRO CORRALES:
On the Earthquakes’ performance tonight:
“I think we did a good job in the first half. We were very compact and did a good job, but I think we lost our shape a little bit in the second half and then they scored the first goal and it was pretty much over after that. It felt like we started dragging a little more after the first one, and then they got the second, and then the third, and it’s tough after that.”
On missing key players:
“I think the guys that came in for the other guys did A-OK. I don’t think it was that [missing key players], I think we just lost it a little bit in the second half.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DF NICK GARCIA:
On starting strong and falling apart:
“We fell asleep. In the first half we were fortunate for Joe [Cannon] to come up big on that penalty kick, and the second half was just a luckless effort and we were punished for it. The steady slippery slope began from that point on and we were punished. I don’t think Salt Lake’s three goals better than us. We’ve given up seven goals in the past two games; the one was an Open Cup (game), so I don’t really count that, but they were the better team tonight.”
On what San Jose can take from this result::
“We’ve just got to get it going from the beginning. It just can’t be one of those things where they score a goal or two and then we get going. We’ve had a little bit of a roller coaster ride in the beginning of the season, with some wins and some ties and some losses, and for us we’ve gotta get the ship on course. We’re almost a third of the way through the season, so for us we’ve gotta get some results; whether it’s home or away we need to start winning because losing is never fun. We’ve got to get that bitter taste out of our mouth and make the most of it.”
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Daily Update: Saturday May 24, 2008
Injury ReportFC DALLAS - OUT: DF David Wagenfuhr (concussion); MF Dax McCarty
(hernia) …
REAL SALT LAKE - OUT: FW Yura Movsisyan (R meniscus surgery),
MF Nathan Sturgis (L hamstring strain); DOUBTFUL: MF Javier
Morales (R adductor strain); QUESTIONABLE: DF Ian Joy (L ankle bone
spur); PROBABLE: FW Fabian Espíndola (R ankle contusion), MF Alex Nimo
(R quad strain), MF Brennan Tennelle (R intercostal/rib strain), DF Chris
Wingert (R gluteal strain)
HEADLINES
No time to lose for FC Dallas' replacement coach -> Dallas Morning News/Diego Aparacio
Marco Ferruzzi, appointed Tuesday as interim coach, will try to deliver FC Dallas' first win since April 20 against Real Salt Lake. A home game Wednesday against two-time defending champion Houston and a road game a week from Sunday at Colorado complete what could be the most crucial stretch of the season.
Real Salt Lake: Kreis says Dallas firing too hasty -> Deseret News/James Edward
"From our standpoint, from a coach's standpoint, you'd say that seems to be a pretty hasty decision for a team that was first place in a our conference a couple weeks ago," said Kreis, who spent the majority of his playing career with Dallas. "All teams take a little bit of time to establish their identity and gel as a unit, and I'm sure Steve would feel the same way, that he wasn't afforded enough time."
RSL: Wins on the road still far away -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
Kreis said there's no particular problem, though, that has prevented RSL from faring better on the road. "I really can't put my finger on any particular one thing," he said. "If we can do all of the facets of the game a little bit better - be mentally a little bit better, tactically a little bit better, a little bit better defensively, one-on-one battles. Everything. A little bit sharper in front of the goal. I think we need to do just a little bit better in all the areas, but continue to do what we have been doing, because overall, I'd say our play has been pretty good."
Match Day 9: Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas - 3rdDegree.net/Jason Benfield
Things have changed a bit since the two teams met a couple of weeks ago, and not just from the obvious Dallas angle. After playing a 4-4-2 all season long, RSL came out in a 3-5-2 against Dallas before substituting Olave out in the first half and reverting back to their original formation. Against Colorado, they stuck with the 4-4-2 but it had a much more defensive feel to it. After starting the season displaying a very aggressive, attacking style of soccer, Kreis changed the look of the midfield and as a result did not press forward in numbers for the first time this season. I think we can probably expect a similar strategy against Dallas on Saturday.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Daily Update: Thursday May 22, 2008
RSL needs a healthy Morales, ASAP ->DesNews Blog/James Edward
"I think Andy, maybe because he hasn't played there in a while, I think he dropped off too much. I don't think he kept himself in advanced positions, he didn't keep himself close enough to the forwards to help them," said Kreis. "Tactically I think for certain we'll have a chat and talk about when he plays that role he needs to be in more advanced positions. He got the ball too deep in the field too many times. He was the one making the forward passes but there was no one to support the forwards."
RSL: Reality check for Real ->Salt Lake Tribune
Week Nine Preview -> MLS.theoffside
The French Connection -> Behind the Shield
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Daily Update: Wednesday May 21, 2008
RSL: Defender Joy eager for return to lineup against Dallas -> Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
Defender Ian Joy returned to the practice field for Real Salt Lake this week, thrilled to finally be off the stationary rehab bicycle and poised to return to the lineup at FC Dallas on Saturday. Several of his teammates were not so fortunate, though. Midfielders Javier Morales and Nathan Sturgis remain "very questionable" to be available for the FC Dallas game, coach Jason Kreis said, because of lingering injuries. Striker Fabian Espindola is uncertain, too, and striker Yura Movsisyan is out for several weeks after having surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee, a team spokesman said.
Real Salt Lake: Team looks to shake road woes -> Deseret News/James Edward
Unbeaten at home, winless on the road, and just over a quarter of the season in the rearview mirror, a trend is starting to set in for Real Salt Lake — and it's not one that leads to the playoffs, either.
Steve Morrow Out as Dallas Coach -> Goal.com
“We have set high standards, expectations, and goals for this team and organization,” said FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock in a statement. “I feel that the team was not heading in the direction we had planned, and believe it is in the best interest of the club to make a coaching change at this time.”
Friday, May 16, 2008
Daily Update: Friday May 16, 2008
Real Salt Lake blows chance to climb to top of conference race -> Deseret News/James Edward
Three-quarters of the MLS season remains, but Real Salt Lake definitely missed a golden opportunity at putting its stamp on the Western Conference race Thursday night.
Real Salt Lake notes: By choice, Kreis sits in press box -> Deseret News/James Edward
"I really like being up there to see the shape and to see what adjustments need to be made," said Kreis
Real Salt Lake game at a glance -> Deseret News
RSL at Rapids Player Grades - DesNews Blog/James Edward
Colorado 2, RSL 0: RSL misses chance to take over 1st place - Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis
"To be completely honest, I don't believe we deserve to be the first-place team in this conference," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "We're not ready for that yet. . . . We're not ready. We don't deserve it. Hopefully, that opportunity will come again."
MLS: Colorado Goes Top with Win over RSL -> Goal.com
Colorado and Real Salt Lake have built a rivalry the old-fashioned way—playing tight, hotly contested matches. Thursday night’s edition of the Rocky Mountain derby was not different, as a contest as tight as a Bode Miller slalom finally broke in the 65th minute when Colorado’s Omar Cummings scored to give the home side the lead. Christian Gomez then iced things with an 83rd-minute penalty.
Rapids are best in the West -> Soccer America/Ridge Mahoney
RSL could have taken over first place with a win or stayed tied in second with a tie, but while head coach Jason Kreis sent out a fairly talented lineup, the pieces didn't seem to mesh. Sweat and spirit ran astray, and with Andy Williams spending far more time chasing Mastroeni than the reverse, his few effective touches came on corner kicks.
Cummings, Gomez lead Rapids past Real Salt Lake -> ESPNSoccernet
"(My goal) was simple," Cummings said. "The ball went to Colin (Clark) and I went straight into the box. It was a classic goal - the ball goes wide, is crossed in and then finished."
VIDEO: Match Recap -> ESPNSoccernet
RSL stumbles in opening leg of Cup -> MLSnet/Geoffrey Urland
Rapids Take Care of Real Salt Lake 2-0 -> ColoradoRapids.com
VIDEO: Match Highlights -> MLSnet
MLS POSTGAME QUOTE SHEET
(Courtesy RSL Communications)
COLORADO 2 : 0 REAL SALT LAKE
COLORADO RAPIDS
Head Coach Fernando Clavijo
“It was easy to see (Salt Lake’s) game plan. Their game plan was simple, they wanted to slow us down, counterattack and look to score on a set piece. It worked for them last time. When we play at home we try to be aggressive. I didn’t feel like we were that in the first half. The level of energy was not there is the beginning. We were too casual on the ball. In the second half our touches and our technique was much better. There was an improved energy. Something we mentioned at half was that the wing play was poor. In the second half Colin (Clark) and (Jacob) Peterson created more chances. You didn’t see (Chris) Wingert getting up on the wing. I was pleased with our young guys tonight, but also with the leadership of Pablo (Mastroeni). He played his third game in a row and has become more of a mentor to the young guys.”
Midfielder Pablo Mastroeni
“These games against Salt Lake are always interesting. The team who imposes their will on the other has the better chances. We came out of half time and wanted to find Christian (Gomez) as much as we could. He finds spaces and it is our job to get him the ball. With Christian being man marked, there is more space for me. It was a breath of fresh air, it was liberating. We also came out and had some good combo passing. In this formation (the 3-5-2) you have to keep the ball and I felt like we did that.”
Midfielder Colin Clark
“It’s easy out there when you have good forwards who can score. On this surface the ball can skip and it is easy for strikers to put it on net in their stride, defenders have a harder time redirecting it away from goal. Christian Gomez draws a lot of attention and is good on the ball. If you have forwards with pace in front of him and on the wings he can find them and be dangerous. There is a long way to go, but it is nice to be up there (in first place).”
Striker Omar Cummings
“In the first half I think we were a little stretched so we didn’t have the legs to finish things off. Coach said we had to come out harder. (My goal) was simple. The ball went to Colin (Clark) and I went straight into the box. It was a classic goal: the ball goes wide, is crossed in, and then finished.”
REAL SALT LAKE
Head Coach Jason Kreis
“I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t come out with a better mentality in the second half. Typically we have seen a team that responds well to half times and responds well in the second half and picks up their play. Tonight that wasn’t the case for us at all. I think there was a bit of sharpness that was lacking tonight. The play was a little bit loose all over the place. I think both teams could say the same thing. Maybe it is a little bit of fatigue. We have played a few games now in a couple of weeks so that may have played a part. This is the second team we have played with a 3-5-2. I don’t think that it gave us a whole lot of problems in the first half. The players may have been a little confused about what was going on. I think the players made a bigger deal out of it then it was. When you have a player like Christian (Gomez), you have to keep on idea of where he is at all times. Kenny (Cutler) was charged with the responsibility for keeping on eye on where Christian was.”
Midfielder Kyle Beckerman
“It was just two average teams and it got to a point where the first team to score was going to win the game. They got it, they were sharp at the start of the second half and they got rewarded for it. (The first half) was solid, both sides weren’t very dangerous. It was kind of a stalemate, and then it kind of continued, but they we sharp and we were sloppy. The 3-5-2 caught us off guard. It isn’t really X’s and O’s on defense, there is some gray area and that kind of confused us for some reason.”
Midfielder Andy Williams
“We limited their chances in the first half. We know they would come out strong in the first 10 of 15 minutes, but we didn’t take good care of the ball. They kept us pinned down in the second half. Christian (Gomez) has kind of been the linchpin for this team the last couple of games. Kenny (Cutler) did a good job and didn’t give him very good shots other than the PK. We were out numbered in the midfield. They played hard.”
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Daily Update: Tuesday May 13, 2008
RSL: Two get call from U.S. U-23 team -> Salt Lake Tribune
Wodraska: Give me wins, losses - not ties - Salt Lake Tribune/Lya Wodraska
But in the pros? One team should walk off the field happy and the other highly irked it lost. Give me a little extra free ball, free kicks, thumb wrestling between the coaches, I don't care what it takes, just come up with a decisive result.
AUDIO: Dema Kovalenko on internet radio -> Soccerisakickinthegrass.com
RSL News/Blog updates & other tidbits - > My Soapbox (recommended read on Kreis' referee complaints)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Daily Updates: Sunday May 11, 2008
Real Salt Lake: RSL picks up an ugly, much-needed victory -> Deseret News/James Edward
"Honestly, I think that's probably one of the worst games we've played this season," said Kreis, who watched the game from the Rice-Eccles Stadium press box. "In some ways, maybe that's a good thing. Maybe we need to learn how to win ugly."
Real Salt Lake notes: RSL tweaks formation; Kreis up high -> Deseret News/James Edward
Two weeks ago in a loss at D.C. United, Real coach Jason Kreis wasn't pleased with how his team matched up against D.C.'s 3-5-2 formation. Facing a Dallas team that also likes to utilize a 3-5-2, Kreis thought the best way to match up was to also play a 3-5-2.
It didn't quite work out that way. Dallas came out in a 3-4-3 formation, and Kreis thought about making a change early on. "Against a 3-4-3, it doesn't look so good to play three backs against three forwards," said Kreis.
Real Salt Lake: More field time likely for Cutler -> Deseret News/Dan Rasmussen
"With the way he played tonight, he has to be in consideration to start our very next match."
Real Salt Lake game at a glance -> Deseret News
RSL earns ugly win - Salt Lake Tribune/Tony Jones
"It definitely felt great to get the win," Beckerman said. "This was the first time this season that we were ahead of a team, gave up the tying goal and came back to get the win. That was big for us. We feel like we stepped over a hurdle tonight."
Real hold off FCD in see-saw affair ->MLSnet/John Coon
Real Salt Lake continued to show they have what it takes to win on their home field, a late Kyle Beckerman goal giving them a 2-1 victory against FC Dallas on Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Real Salt Lake tops FC Dallas with late goal -> Ogden Standard Examiner/Jasen Asay
"They put like four or five forwards up there, the same thing they did tonight, and just sent the ball forward and got a goal," Cutler said. "I just kept thinking that this can't be happening again."
Great Match Photos -> RSLBoz
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Additional Updates
Real Salt Lake: RSL's Kreis suspended one game for comments to News -> Deseret News/James Edward
Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis has been fined $1,000 and suspended for one game for comments made to the Deseret News on Monday.
RSL: Kreis suspended for criticizing officials -> The Salt Lake Tribune
Kreis will miss Saturday's game against FC Dallas at Rice-Eccles Stadium. He will be allowed in the locker before the game, during halftime and after the game, but is not permitted to go on the field or sit in the press box. During the game, he will be limited to a private suite or a team-provided reserved section.
The RSL Show: Episode 47 - Hey! Do You Know That Bono Guy? -> AYL Soccer
Sunday, May 4, 2008
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
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Daily Update: Saturday May 3, 2008
Real Salt Lake: Beckham's back, but RSL wants a win this time -> Deseret News/James Edward
"I wouldn't say it's do or die critical, but it's pretty dire that we get these two wins at home," said RSL midfielder Andy Williams, referring to next week's home match against FC Dallas. "It will help us get back in the thick of things in the West."
Galaxy-Real Salt Lake Preview -> Yahoo Sports
It took only five games for Landon Donovan to match his scoring output from all of last season. On Saturday night, he’ll try to help the Los Angeles Galaxy move into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference for the first time in almost three years when they visit Real Salt Lake.
RSL: VIPs get an update on stadium -> Salt Lake Tribune/Martin Renzhofer
Friday, Beckham, as well as Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber, were guests of RSL owner David Checketts, who pronounced the new soccer-specific stadium 70 percent completed, including the canopy designed to shield the east and west sides of the stadium bowl.
Audio: David Beckham at the RSL Stadium -> AYL Soccer
Real Salt Lake: New stadium impresses Beckham -> Deseret News/James Edward
"I'm very proud to be here, very proud to be representing the Galaxy," said the L.A. midfielder, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Friday. "I'm very proud to be here two years after when I first heard the plans and saw what was going to be built. It looked special then and it looks even more special now.
VIDEO:David Beckham Checks out Progress on RSL Stadium -> Fox 13 News
