Headed Home

RSL come home after a 2-1 loss to Dallas in league play and a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew in Open Cup play.


MLSnet.com/Nathan Linton: Crew oust RSL from U.S. Open Cup

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.

Today's News...



Salt Lake Tribune: Backups get chance to move RSL forward

Real Salt Lake will try to shake off its latest kick-in-the-stomach road loss tonight when it plays the Columbus Crew in a U.S. Open Cup preliminary-round game in Ohio

Deseret News/James Edward: RSL travels to Columbus for play-in game

Real Salt Lake is back in action tonight at the Columbus Crew for yet another U.S. Open Cup play-in game. It's the second of potentially three qualifying games before RSL would officially qualify for the 32-team Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m., and the broadcast is a radio-only on 700AM.

"This one's going to sting for a long time. Realistically, come Monday we need to refocus on Tuesday. For us it's an important game, come Monday morning it's just focusing on the next game. Part of that is addressing the things that went wrong," said Fraser.

Keepin' it Real: A View From the Other Side: RSL –vs- Columbus Crew

Well, it had to happen eventually. It was inevitable that the Columbus Crew’s soaring start to the 2008 MLS season would return to earth at some point. That point was Saturday night, when Columbus coughed up a late game PK/rebound goal to Eastern Conference foe New England. Woulda, coulda, shoulda ... in the end, this “6 pointer” contest went the wrong way for the Crew, which now sits deadlocked with the Revs and Chicago Fire at the top of the table. But, this week, there’s little time for after-the-fact analysis; the standard week-long prep cycle for the next game has been abbreviated to make room for a U.S. Open Cup match vs. Real Salt Lake on Tuesday.

BYU Newsnet/Sean Walker: RSL Still Without First Road Win (Rubbing salt in an already festering wound...)

"We asked for a committed performance from the boys that stepped out on the field, and that's exactly what they gave," Ferruzzi said. "You can't fault them for anything; complete heart, complete dedication, and complete commitment. And the boys that came on, they obviously sealed the deal, so everybody got the message."

Goal.com: Streaming Mad (No, RSL Fans, it's not just you...)

“I don’t understand the throwing of the streamers thing,” Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis said. “It’s ridiculous. It’s carte blanche to throw anything you want. You can throw fruit, beer, anything. It’s got to stop.”

Goal.com MLS Rankings:

1. Chicago – Dominant performance should remove any of those lingering doubts. (4)

2. Columbus – Can Columbus get results when Barros Schelotto is off-form? (1)

3. New England – Not pretty, not graceful, but completely effective. (5)

4. Toronto FC – Still better than anything the Western Conference has to offer right now. (3)

5. Colorado – Maybe these are the same old Rapids after all. (2)

6. Los Angeles – This Galaxy team would make a believer out of me by replacing Xavier with someone else and finding another player in midfield. (9)

7. Kansas City – Uncharacteristic to see a Curt Onalfo-coached team caught so flatfooted by an opposing team’s tactical shift. (7)

8. Chivas USA – The slow start from everyone in the West makes Chivas the favorites to repeat on current form. (11)

9. FC Dallas – Don’t buy, Marco Feruzzi. Rent instead. (10)

10. New York – This side might be broken until the transfer window unless Angel can shake his lingering injury issues. (6)

11. Houston – Continues to disappoint with yet another poor performance in a game it should win. (8)

12. D.C. United – While most of the impending changes can now wait, one must be made immediately: Jose Carvallo in for Zach Wells. (13)

13. Real Salt Lake – The once composed defense has sprung a few leaks in recent weeks. (12)

14. San Jose – Ryan Johnson could be a useful, low-cost find up top. (14)












RSL BITE THE BIG ONE IN DALLAS



Deseret News/James Edward: RSL at FC Dallas Player Grades

Jamison Olave (7) -- Probably RSL's man of the match up until he left the game in the 76th minute after tweaking his knee just a little bit.

Ian Joy (2) -- It would've been a 1, but Ritchie Kotschau has proven in the past that it's possible for a defender to play worse than Ian Joy did.

Salt Lake Tribune/Steve Hunt: Rough road continues for RSL

"We gave them the game," RSL midfielder Dema Kovalenko said. "We did everything we had to do until 12 minutes left, but didn't put enough pressure on the ball and got tired."

Deseret News/James Edward: RSL burned by Dallas yet again

"This one hurts a lot. I think everyone put so much work into today, and it's disappointing to lose like this," said Real midfielder Dema Kovalenko.

Deseret News/James Edward: Little Joy for RSL in starter's return

Having missed three straight matches with an ankle injury, a spell that included a week stint in a walking boot, Joy had a nightmarish performance against FC Dallas with two yellow cards in the first half and the subsequent red card.

RSL Blogs:

The RSL Malcontent/Donk: Dallas

All I can say is it really sucks that Dallas always seems to snatch a win from RSL in the closing minutes of the game. Why Olave was taken out, I don't understand. That is when all that room in the middle opened up. Olave had the size and pace to deal with Lurch (Cooper). I also do not understand why Espindola did not get the start instead of Findley. Findley this season has not really impressed. That was the biggest mistake of the match. I don't understand the whole mentality of RSL...

Keepin' it Real/realslfan: Accountability

During the offseason, we heard Jason Kreis and Garth Lagerway pontificate that the team was trying to build a "culture of accountability". In fact part of the justification for bringing in Borchers and Kovalenko was that they were veteran players who would get in the face of the younger players and force them to be accountable. Well where is this accountability?

AYLsoccer/Paul Bernhardt: When the team stays at home, why should the fan travel?

What I saw last night was a team that failed to play a particular style in a manner that could ensure victory. This was a loss due to poorly executed strategy. I put this lose squarely on the shoulders of Coach Kreis...

The Fan's Scorecard/Tapocol: **VOTE** FC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake

Fabian Espindola puts a goal through the legs of Dario Sala. Then, Oduro gets behind the defense twice to give FC Dallas the win.

Real Salt Lake Schedule: May 27-28, 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.


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