Just 3 Weeks Away!

That's right, 3 weeks from now RSL will be starting off the 2011 season with a road trip to the Columbus Crew in CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) play. Many have picked the good guys in red to come out on top in this match-up.

I want to add fair warning that this wont be an easy match-up for RSL. Columbus has, especially in the last couple of years, been a very talented side that consistently has a strong side. While it is true they seem to be changing up the philosophy there and going a different direction, fact remains that they have a very good recent history. In fact, they have a pretty damn good recent history. All this talk about them "struggling" is based on 0 actual game evidence. Sure, they struggled in the playoffs the last two years. But, to their credit, the teams they lost to (in both years) became eventual MLS Cup champions. Its not as though they lost to San Jose or something (yes, a New York slam as required). There are plenty of reasons why RSL fans should take this match up seriously and not start discussing if you would rather see Saprissa or Olimpia come to the RioT. They are listed below.

First: RSL struggles at Columbus. Outside of that insane 2009 playoff match up, RSL has not had great success when they head to the Ohio side. Since 2008 (I throw out the 2005-2007 "dark ages" as the "team" that RSL was then is nothing like the squad RSL is now) RSL has a record of 0-3-0(W-L-D) at Ohio. They are 3-0-0(W-L-D)against them in Utah, though. We have split the series with them for the last 3 years. In a 2-leg setup, a win in the first leg (in Columbus) is a potential huge mental edge. I dont think that RSL is very susceptible to this, but it has to be said. We struggle there, and our history shows no reason for it to change. I would also like to point out that while that 2009 playoff match up was insane, it was also incredibly lucky. If it had been a regular season game, I think we lose as Columbus maybe doesn't throw the numbers they did at times in that game.

Second: Its going to be cold. We have a squad full of players that love to play the game the beautiful South American/Central American way. Notice those 2 regions don't tend to be all that cold. The players should be somewhat accustomed to the weather, but its going to hurt the level of play without a doubt. The passes wont be as crisp, the shots not as sweet, the movement not as fluid. The weather, sadly, will have an effect on this match. Let's just hope it is minimal and there aren't any snow storms that hit either Ohio or Utah on game day.

Third: Jeff Cunningham. This one scares me the most. The guy has scored against RSL on a consistent basis for the last couple of years, especially with Dallas. For whatever reason (I think we all can put it together), Jeff gets up for the game against RSL, especially at RSL. He will give the back line a headache and I would wager he will score. Now it is true he hasn't signed officially with the Crew yet (to my knowledge) but all signs point to him doing that. He will be the X-factor, without a doubt, for this series as a whole. He could really do a number to RSL fans hopes of advancing to the semis.

Conclusion: Don't take the crew lightly. Yes, their crest may look like a Village People sticker, but those YMCA folks can play some ball. They still have Chad Marshall in the back and Rogers in the middle. They will have a talented squad on the field for both matches that will demand the respect and full attention of RSL.

Tune in on February 22nd at 6pm mtn time on FSC to cheer on the good guys in red. And, more importantly, get your tickets to the March 1st game at the RioT at 8pm. It should be a warm sunny affair, don't worry ;)

Cheers,

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