I try to keep my finger on the pulse of the RSL fandom, and what I'm seeing lately scares me. Every year RSL fans think "this is our year", and every year is more of the same mediocrity from the team, and this year has pushed many to the brink of oblivion. To be honest, I worry about the sanity of our fan base. It has become clear to me that we as fans need to learn to control our RSL addiction (not get rid of it, mind you - just control it a bit. Being addicted to RSL is still better than the alternative of being hooked on the NBA or Arena Football).
Since I am in a rather foul mood as of late, and because I just threw my pitcher of RSL Cool Aid out the window, I should be able to offer an unbiased view from where I sit, in the stands, as an RSL fan. What’s right? Hold on while I go upside-down into the barrel of soccer trash and see if I can scrape something off of the bottom for us.
After finishing up a three-game road swing, Real Salt Lake (2-5-2, 8 pts.) will return to the comforts of home this Saturday, May 31, when Utah's MLS side will play host to the reborn San Jose Earthquakes (2-5-1, 7 pts.) at Rice-Eccles Stadium for a 7:00 p.m. MT kick-off.
Beckham sent a trademark curling free kick with laser precision toward John Terry for the go-ahead goal in the 38th minute, and England outclassed the United States 2-0 in an exhibition game at Wembley. "That's my job, to get the ball into the right area,'' Beckham said. "It's J.T.'s job . . . to be at the right end of it."
England comfortably beat the United States with goals from captain John Terry and Steven Gerrard, labouring for the opening half-hour, which was fairly tepid, but asserting themselves well after going ahead on 38 minutes and playing some good football in the second-half.
From the beginning, it was a huge task for the U.S. team. Playing in front of 70,000-plus at Wembley against an England lineup that included seven of the 22 starters from last week's Champions League final, and doing it without injured Landon Donovan? The 2-0 result seemed a predictable outcome from the start.
Brian McBride, who has spent the last four-plus years plying his trade for Fulham in the English Premier League, has chosen to forgo another season in England and to return to Major League Soccer.
Yesterday's News...
Headed Home RSL come home after a 2-1 loss to Dallas in league play and a 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew in Open Cup play.
"It's tough," RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. "We're in a bit of a road slump and trying to find a way to get out. We can't find answers right now. The fight was there though."
"We appreciate the energy and support we receive from our fans and understand that emotions run high during games, but there is no excuse for the reprehensible behavior exhibited by the fan heard in the video clip," it read in part.
Home teams got mixed results Tuesday night in Major League Soccer Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying, with the host Columbus Crew ousting Real Salt Lake 2-0 and the Colorado Rapids slipping past the homestanding Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0.
Real Salt Lake (2-5-2, 8 pts. in MLS play) will travel back to Utah on Wednesday and train at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday (12:00 p.m. MT) and Friday (11:00 a.m.) in preparation for its return to MLS regular season play this Saturday, May 31, when RSL will play host to the San Jose Earthquakes (2-5-1, 7 pts.) for a 7:00 p.m. MT kick-off (live on Fox Soccer Channel, KALL 700 Sports and "Ke Buena" AM-1600).
Going a man down almost seemed to open up the attack a little more for Real Salt Lake, as they began to work the ball forward better than they did with 11 players. Schmid gave the start in goal for the Crew to Andy Gruenebaum, who was barely tested in the first half. The second half was a different story as RSL began to throw players forward down two goals. Gruenebaum made diving saves in both the 61st and 71st minutes, first to stop Kyle Beckerman and the second to keep Andy Williams out of the net.
This city is moving forward with plans to provide $10 million for the Real soccer stadium despite a Salt Lake County decision to opt out of the funding package.
On Tuesday, 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, which is being built at 9256 S. State St. Last month, County Mayor Peter Corroon notified the suburb that the county won't be tossing its share of the stadium's property taxes into a Community Development Area (CDA) - leaving a $6 million hole in Sandy's promise.
Glad this one wasn't on TV. Is it bad that even John Kaluder said the team was playing like shit? I think I'm just going to make a macro for future blog posts so I don't have to do much for a post. RSL played like shit on the road, they got exposed by quick counter attacks.
End of Match: RSL ends the match unable to find their form in the final third. The chances were there but an unfortunate set of circumstances sees the Utah side eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup in qualifying phases with a 2-0 defeat in Columbus, Ohio. RSL will turn their focus to Saturday’s showdown with 2008 expansion side San Jose at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday.
Real Salt Lake Schedule: May 29-June 1, 2008 (All times MDT)
Courtesy of RSL Communications 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.
· Thursday, May 29: Training at Rice-Eccles Stadium – 11:00 a.m. · Friday, May 30: Training at Rice-Eccles Stadium – 11:00 a.m. · Saturday, May 31: Real Salt Lake v. San Jose Earthquakes – Rice-Eccles Stadium – 7:00 p.m. ***LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel, KALL 700 Sports and “Ke Buena” AM-1600 · Sunday, June 1: MLS Reserve Division – RSL v. San Jose – Quinn’s Junction in Park City, UT – 9:30 a.m. MT
