Daily Update: Wednesday May 28, 2008

RSL again can't find mix on road -> MLSnet/Ryan Bergeman
"We are in a bit of a road slump," RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said after the game. "We just can't find answers right now. The fight is there, the right attitude is there. We will keep working at it and hopefully it will come around soon."

Crew oust RSL from U.S. Open Cup -> MLSnet/Nathan Linton
an exchange of shoves ensued along with some words, after which Kovalenko tossed the ball at Ekpo, hitting him in the face. Referee Jeff Gontarek held a conference with his line judge and dismissed Kovalenko with a straight red card, sending RSL a man down.

Crew sink Salt Lake in US Open -> American Soccer News/ Jim Baird
Real Salt Lake had several opportunities to get on the board in the second half, including three solid attempts that tested Crew keeper Andy Gruenebaum. However none could beat him.

Sandy moving forward without county funds for Real stadium -> Deseret News/Rebecca Palmer
The $10 million is the last step in a $45 million public funding package for the $110 million sports stadium.

Sandy finds money for Real Salt Lake obligations -> The Salt Lake Tribune/Rosemary Winters
Sandy Economic Development Director Randy Sant presented to the City Council his "Plan B" to fulfill the city's pledge to RSL's $110 million soccer stadium

Real Salt Lake and Coldwell Banker Team Up -> OurSports Central
As part of Real Salt Lake's continuing outreach to Utah's Hispanic community, RSL is proud to announce a partnership with Coldwell Banker and Hispanic soccer "ligas" throughout the Salt Lake area to present the Coldwell Banker Summer Soccer Series.

Real Salt Lake Sees Run Towards U.S. Open Cup Ended with 2-0 Loss at Columbus -> OurSports Central
Real Salt Lake's run towards qualification for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup came to a disappointing end tonight in central Ohio, as the Columbus Crew used a goal in each half to down the Utah squad 2-0

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A View From the Other Side: RSL -vs- FCD

Real Salt Lake versus FC Dallas

from the perspective of Jay (aka FC Zippy on Big Soccer)

A while back on bigsoccer.com, fans who were arguing each insisted the other was only seeing the argument through [insert team here]-tinted glasses. I, in turn, posted:

“You should be an FC Dallas fan. Our glasses are the best. Not only are they striped white-and-red, but when you look through them, you can see disaster looming.”

So goes the soccer life of the average FC Dallas fan.

Last time FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake met a mere two weeks ago, FC Dallas was simply looking to get back on track after a disappointing home loss and a tie on the road. Of course, RSL prevailed although it did not feel like the end of the world. However, eight days later brought the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas’ most visible collapse since the opening of Pizza Hut Park.

The loss caused GM Michael Hitchcock to push the panic button, removing head coach Steve Morrow after just one year and eight games. You see, Mr. Hitchcock is in the last year of his contract with Hunt Sports Group (HSG) and is failing to deliver on the promises he made for both on-the-field and box office success. Just so you know, Mr. Hitchcock was responsible for bringing Denilson to FC Dallas which turned into possibly the league’s all-time worst major signing. Trust me, this guy’s resume’ is up to date.

So what about this Saturday’s matchup with Real Salt Lake? If I could type a two minute period of contemplative silence, that would probably have to suffice for the answers I have. However, I agreed to write this piece, so I will take a stab at the issues for this game.

Saturday’s game is not going to be as much about a win as one might think. This match is going to be about heart, about the players looking inside and deciding if they are going to display the team effort that has mostly been lacking this season, especially in this winless streak.

Less important is the visit of a Real Salt Lake club that has managed only six wins in its history away from Rice-Eccles. I know this: I would not really want to be the club coming in to face FC Dallas this week. Although this club is the youngest in MLS, they do have considerable talent and might well be ready to erupt. Mindset will matter as much as talent.

On the field, I doubt a whole lot changes for FC Dallas this week under interim coach Marco Ferruzzi’s watchful gaze. I will gladly thieve Buzz Carrick’s thought that “as so goes Juan Toja, so goes FC Dallas,” however. Adrian Serioux serves his red-card suspension and Dax McCarty recovers from his sports hernia operation.

This line-up is speculation:
---------------Alvarez----Cooper----------------
---------------------Rocha--------------------------
-Toja----Saragosa------Ricchetti------Rhine-
-------Daniels-----Davino------Moor---------

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