Post RSL @ New England

Great match. Damn are we deep... RSL went into New England, on that crappy plastic pitch, and got the full three points. They did this, most surprisingly, with a bunch of reserves. Of the 11 starters, only 2 were regular starters. Will Johnson wore the captains armband and Robbie Russell played at right back as we don't have much depth in our outside back position. Outside those two, though, the rest of the team was guys who usually make the bench or, even better, don't even make the 18 for most games. Between the pipes was backup Kyle Reynish. In front of him was two very green center backs in Chris Schuler and Rawshawn McKenzie. On the outside left was "reserve" Tony Beltran, on the right was regular starter Robbie Russell. In the middle, we saw the future of RSL. Jean the Machine was at holding mid and Collen Warner was at attacking mid. The two outside mids were "reserve" Ned Grabavoy (the best role player in the league) and the little energizer bunny, Will Johnson. Up top was where the game was most exciting, though, as RSL put on display Paulo Junior and Arturo Alvarez. Both were really good on the night, the little Brazilian being the better of the two. First Half Thoughts: The game was very level for the first 15 to 20 minutes. RSL was showing some very good passing and possession. new England, on the other hand, was looking to counter and be physical. It was obvious which tactic was more attractive, but neither were killing the other too much early. Around the 20th minute, though, this all changed. RSL really got into the flow and New England simply couldn't keep pace. Paulo Junior and Alvarez were giving the backs for the Revs nightmares and the midfield for RSL was making NE's look like practice dummies. The first goal came off a corner, but that corner was achieved after a superb shot by Ned Grabavoy that was just inches off, hitting the post and getting knocked out by the defense. Schuler showed his size and headed home an inch perfect cross from Warner. The rest of the half was mostly RSL with some NE attacks and long range efforts thrown in. Second Half Thoughts: As to be expected, NE came out of halftime looking to level things up. This played right into RSL hand's, though. As the defensive line pushed higher for NE, spaces began to open up. Warner found Paulo Junior into space and Paulo slotted in home on the near post. NE had the better of the attack for the first 5 minutes, but RSL proved just how lethal they can be if given the time to build an attack. From there, the match got very chippy. getting worked by a bunch of reserves wasn't going over well with the NE players and it showed in their body language. The tipping point came around the 55th minute. Will Johnson was put into space on a through ball. In a foot race with Alston, the outside right back for NE, the two sprinted for the ball. Alston, though, suddenly decided he wasn't much interested in the ball and full on body checked Will into the side boards. Replays showed Alston taking his eyes off the ball and sizing up Will before the check. It should have been red. If it had been, I doubt the rest of the match would have gotten as out of hand as it did. instead, Will was left on the sideline, on concrete no less, trying to regroup while Alston walked away with just a yellow. From there, it was chippy. RSL wanted to get back at NE as this is a very tight-knit group. There were many chances, but RSL never sunk to the level of full on laying a guy out. A few pushes here and there and dragging a leg in a tackle, sure, but nothing like what Alston did. Then Kyle Beckerman came into the match. The game suddenly was all RSL. NE couldn't' pass to save their lives. Sharlie Joseph, who I highlighted before the match, was especially fruststrated. For some reason, he got upset with Kyle shrugging him off and took it personally. He got up in the face and gave two jabs to Kyle with his index finger... I couldn't make this stuff up. Sharlie got a red, which honestly was a bit harsh. It should have been a yellow and a VERY stern warning. If that is considered "striking" an opponent, then how does Kyle stay in the game past the 5th minute? New England had now lost their captain and were reeling for direction. Que the idiot with the head gear to fly into a reckless tackle. Phelan, who is a ginger retard, goes into a meaningless tackle with Robbie Russell near midfield. Both studs were up and it was obviously a red. Will Johnson, who was still wearing the armband despite Kyle being on the pitch, was first on the scene; as he should be. The ref did not hesitate to eject Phelan. It was a horrible tackle and not many could argue against the result. What happened afterwards, though, still is confusing to me. Will Johnson probably shouldn't have been so vocal about the ejection. The ref was already going to his back pocket, no need to get too upset. However, he is the captain, and its his responsibility to be the leader of the squad, even if just for this match. The center back for New England, #2 (I won't waste my time looking up the idiots name) took Will's yelling personally and got up into his face. Will showed great maturity and simply put his hands up and walked away. Then the AR, for who knows what reason, decided he needed to get in on the action. He rightly pointed out the center back going at it with Will, but said they both needed to be carded. Why? I have no idea. Regardless, Johnson was shown his second yellow (his first was for a tackle in the box that was very obviously a revenge tackle) and ejected. It was pure insanity. The ref had totally lost control in a matter of seconds. In the end, though, RSL prevailed. New England, even with their thuggish play, couldn't come close to what RSL put on display. A bunch of reserve players just worked their first time on their own field. New England, you should be ashamed of yourself. Player Ratings: Kyle Reynish: B+ - Didnt have to do much, but was big when he needed to be Robbie Russell: B+ - Solid night from Russell. Great passing and vision to cross the ball. Rawshawn McKenzie: A- - Made a couple big tackles that really kept New England from making a run. Chris Schuler: A - "The adverb" was tremendous. Beautiful header on the first goal and great work in the back all game with McKenzie. Tony Beltran: A- - Tony was key to getting our attack going. The first goal was built down his wing and he was heavily involved. Jean Alexandre: B+ - The Jean Machine played like I thought he would. Physical yet smooth. He earned a yellow, no doubt, and he'll need to work on that if he wants to be a regular. Still a good game, though. Will Johnson: B+ - Outside the dumb first yellow, he had a good night. Always can count on Will to work his butt off. Ned Grabavoy: A- - Ned was really good in this start. He was robbed of a goal. He was still constantly in the attack, though. Kyle Beckerman: A - He came on and the game instantly was won. New England couldn't string two passes together once Kyle stepped on the pitch. Luis Gil: B - He wasn't on for a very long time, so its hard to give him a grade. Still wasn't bad for getting his legs under him in the league. Arturo Alvarez: B+ - If the guy had a right foot he would be one of the best players in the league. As is, even with one foot, he is pretty damn talented. He was really unlucky not to get a goal. I believe it will come this month, though. Paulo Junior: A - This kid is something else. If we can get him to stay here longer than 3 years (if his play continues like this) it will be a miracle. His work rate and skill is just beautiful to watch. Love that we have a true Brazilian on the squad. Man of the Match: Collen Warner - Collen had two assists on the night and really had an amazing night. Though he may not get as noticed as a guy like Javi or Andy, he is still a great talent. How we kept him in the last expansion draft is beyond me. This guy could be our next Andy Williams, I truly believe that. Wanker of the Match: Kevin Alston - He made the first tackle that really sent this thing into craziness in the second half. if he plays some honest soccer instead of hockey, the game goes much smoother. If he gets sent off, as he should have, the game also likely goes better as RSL wouldn't feel the need for some revenge. RSL hosts the first leg of the RMC this coming Wednesday. It is going to be chippy, physical, and most of all a joy to watch. With almost all the starters rested, I would bet they come flying out of the gate. I'll have a pre-game report coming up for that one tomorrow or Wednesday morning. Cheers, 15 to 32 FORZA REAL ps, pictures have been screwing my posts up so I'm not going to do them anymore. It sucks, I know, but its the only way I can get this thing to post the way I want it to.