Game Day...

Deseret News/James Edward: It's Getting Hot in Here

RSL striker Kenny Deuchar is about to get his first taste of American heat tonight. I arrived in Dallas a few hours ago for tonight's Real Salt Lake match and it's hot and humid. It's the type of weather that could cause a few players to cramp up tonight, especially those from Scotland who've never been exposed to the sweltering het of Texas.

Deseret News/James Edward: Kreis says Dallas firing too hasty

"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.

Deseret News/James Edward: FC Dallas a tactical challenge

In a home win against FC Dallas two weeks ago, RSL coach Jason Kreis opted to match up against his opponent's customary 3-5-2 formation with a 3-5-2 approach of his own. Instead, Dallas threw RSL's game plan all out of whack by utilizing a surprise 4-3-3 formation.

Salt Lake Tribune/Michael C. Lewis: Wins on the road still far away

"We've just got to concentrate on our own game," Deuchar said, "just try to [push] a wee bit, and make it worse for them. Obviously, the club's in a transition period now with losing a manager, and hopefully we can capitalize on that. But as I said, it can sometimes be difficult against these teams."

Dallas Morning News: FC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake preview

About Real Salt Lake
After losing three of its first five matches, Real Salt Lake has gone 1-1-1 in league play. The club is 0-4 on the road. ... Coach Jason Kreis returns to the area after starring for nine seasons for the Dallas Burn, where he became MLS' all-time leading scorer. He's now No. 3 on the list.

MLSNet.com/John Coon: RSL try to end road woes in Dallas

"We're still learning," Beckerman said. "We're still trying to mature. We're definitely doing something at home and that's a step. We're taking little baby steps. A draw or a win this week would be a huge step. Another step forward for the club."

Keepin' it Real: Real Salt Lake versus FC Dallas: The Rematch

Injury Report
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)

Friday's Training...
(rated PG-13)

I arrived at today’s training session in Lehi 35 minutes late. Though I missed the first portion, I did see enough to understand how intense the training was, and enough to witness how relaxed and comical the session turned out to be.

A scrimmage was in progress and the players were in full motion. Shouting from all directions in a multitude of tongues peppered the chilly Utah County air. Amongst the loudest of the squad; Kyle Beckerman barked orders and snapped at his mates while offering a constructive approach to his blunt criticism.

“This is fuckin’ garbage ball! Put some fuckin’ pride behind that pass! Respect that pass! Come on guys!” Kyle belted. “Let’s fuckin' do this!"

Kenny Cutler looked crisp with some nice one-touch combos and sharp passing while holding shape and showing patience on the ball. Williams and Beckerman hooked up on a needle threading ball from Andy. Becks finished looking left while his shot skipped right, low and far post. The ball slipped by backup keeper Kyle Reynish’s mitts, his wide eye’s capturing it all.

Ian Joy was as scrappy as I’ve ever seen him. He was very vocal and very active. Joy did not appear to be ailing from his prior injury that had him out the last handful of matches. Ian left training early to take care of some personal matters. He should be on the active roster tomorrow.

Scrimmage was extremely intense and very active, but without Morales. Unfortunately, Javi was reduced to jogging and stretching, but word on the street is that he’s ready to go tomorrow in Dallas.

The final portion of training had the boys practicing crosses into the top of the box, finishing headers and one time volleys (or trying to, anyway…). Reiman and Beckerman were providing very inconsistent service to Borchers, Deuchar and Wingert. When the ball did swing in on target, the finishing wasn’t anything to write home about. But when Rimando is tending the net, you know he’ll take out the trash.

Nick provides a lot of comedy in training. I’ve heard him heckle the boys with an assortment of names, and today was no different. He's got serious game and a comedic personality.

Beckerman had gone from looking and sounding confident to pissed and angry at the end. He couldn’t stop cussin’ out his crossing and his touch on the ball. Hopefully he will find his feet sometime between now and tomorrow at Pizza Hut Park.

Jason Kreis didn't offer up an inspirational speech or huddle after training. The boys simply grabbed their stuff, walked off XanGo field in a very relaxed manner and jumped into vehicles filled to capacity. The airport was their destination, where they fly from the wet Wasatch to the humid heat of Texas for a match that they desperately need a positive result from.

Having lived in Texas, I have to tell my boys: "Y'all come back now, ya hear?!"

-Boz


Boz Photos:

Deseret News/James Edward: FC Dallas a tactical challenge

Kreis thought his players handled the surprise formation well, especially in the first half, but a few players admitted there was confusion being a man down in the midfield and it contributed to an unspectacular attack.

Deseret News/Dan Rasmussen: Bengals break through to finally grab top prize

(photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

Deseret News/Devon Black: Bountiful's pressure pays off vs. Bruins' defense

(photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)




RSL Blog Updates:

The Heretic Report: Toulon!!

As I sat at the pub last night, soaking my ego in Guinness after playing a miserable match earlier that evening, I noticed a game on the tube that featured a US side I barely recognized playing against Turkey…

Keepin' it Real: A View From the Other Side: RSL -vs- FCD (more perspective from FC Zippy)

“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.”

Real Salt Lake Schedule: May 24-28, 2008
(Courtesy of RSL Communications)

Training...


All RSL practices are open to members of the media and the general public, with media availability for all players and coaches to immediately follow each session. Those planning on attending any session can confirm the time and location of that day's training by contacting the RSL Communications Department at 801-924-8584.

Saturday, May 24:

RSL at FC Dallas – Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX – 6:30 p.m. MT- LIVE on KSL-TV 5, KALL 700 Sports (RSL First Kick at 5:30 p.m.), and Ke Buena 1600 AM

Sunday, May 25:
Depart for Columbus; Off Day

Monday, May 26:
Training at Crew Training Center in Obetz, OH – 1:00 p.m. ET

Tuesday, May 27:

USOC Play-In Game: RSL at Columbus Crew – Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH – 5:30 p.m. MT
- LIVE on KALL 700 Sports (RSL First Kick @ 4:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, May 28:
Return to Salt Lake City; Off Day