There are a lot of words I could use to describe the game last night, "interesting" seems the most fitting. It's sure to be a game that many remember for quite awhile. It goes right along with the past two RSL v New England games at Rio Tinto. This one, however, was for much different reasons. A wild night that ended in a 3-3 draw was incredibly full of drama, duds, and lackluster defending.1st Half
As RSL walked out of the tunnel for the start of the game, one thing was noticeably different - there was not Kyle Beckerman in the starting lineup. Kyle had been pushed to the bench by Kreis because of him just getting back from his brother's wedding hours prior to the match. Kreis had to know this was a risky move as KB simply is the leader of this team. 3 minutes in, the decision looked to be a very bad one. A goal kick by New England sailed into midfield where Kyle's replacement, Ned Grabavoy, attempted to head it. He missed. The ball bounced above the back four of RSL and suddenly Benny Feilhaber was on a 1 v 1 with Rimando. The crowd went silent as it looked RSL was going to go down early to a very bad side. Instead, Nat Borchers recovered and made an incredible sliding save. Clearing the ball up off of Feilhaber and out for a goal kick. Or so it seemed. For some inexplicable reason, the center ref pointed to the spot and called a penalty. The crowd booed. Then he went to his back pocket and ejected Nat. The crowd - along with RSL players and staff - went nuts. Upon review, the call was incredibly harsh and ultimately changed the complexion of the match entirely. New England stepped up, put away the penalty, and suddenly were ahead or RSL at the RioT 1-0. It must have really been shocking to the guys as shortly thereafter New England doubled their lead. A horribly defended set piece (what was the wall covering? and what were they doing jumping!?) put New England ahead 2-0. Everyone was in shock. The players, for both teams it seemed, couldn't believe what was happening. Then, finally, RSL got mad. For the next 20 minutes it was all RSL. Attack after attack came at New England. Eventually, via a nice hit set piece by Andy Williams, RSL took the lead. The shot was pushed off the bar by Reis just to have Will Johnson hammer it home. Momentum had swung. RSL, sadly, couldn't get it level before half though.
2nd Half
To start the second half Kreis brought on Beckerman to get things straightened out in the middle. The second sub of the night for RSL proved to be a very important one as Kyle dominated the middle of the pitch the remainder of the night. Had he started, we likely wouldn't have been in the situation. Hindsight, like they say, is 20-20. It didn't take long for RSL to level the score. A harmless cross into the box deflected off of a New England defender and out for a corner. However, the ref pointed to the spot and called penalty. Honestly, when I say this play in live action, I thought the ref blew yet another call. Upon review, there was contact made. It might have been a bit harsh, but it still wasn't anywhere near as harsh as the penalty in the first half. Sabo stepped up and slotted home the equalizer - after much time wasting and gamesmanship by New England - and the momentum was entirely on RSL's side. Sadly, though, momentum isn't everything. A questionable foul by Olave just minutes later resulted in a New England set piece roughly 30 yards from goal. Joseph, the lone New England aerial threat, somehow beat out all of the RSL defender's to put New England ahead, once again, 3-2. Totally against the run of play, but deserved for the piss poor defending RSL showed on yet another dead ball situation. Espindola was brought on right after the goal and instantly was a game changer. He gave New England's fits all night until eventually he found the back of the net off of a wonderful pass from Saborio. After 85 minutes the game was tied 3-3 and it seemed all RSL needed to do was get one more chance. They didn't have it in them, though, and the game ended (with loud and much deserved boos from the crowd) 3-3.
It was a wild one. One that many will remember for simply atrocious officiating. To think this would be correct, however, it wouldn't be the full story. Honestly, RSL looked very bad on the defensive side of the ball during any dead ball situation. The first goal resulted from not dealing with a goal kick. Grabavoy completely missed on the header and the back line for RSL didn't bother marking Feilhaber. The second goal was just bad play by a whole host of players, again. Rimando's wall was not at all in position and the wall itself did not do itself any favors by jumping (Andy in particular). The last NE goal was just the cherry on top. Olave lost Joseph and a nice ball from Benny punished RSL. The officiating crew had a horrible night. There is no doubt about that. The RSL defense on set pieces, however, had just as bad of a night. RSL doesn't give up that many goals at home. We just don't.
Man of the Match: Alvaro Saborio
There were quite a few players that had good nights. Also, quite a few that didn't. I personally thought Sabo had a really good one and worked his tail off to keep RSL in it. He coolly finished the penalty for the second goal and made a sublime pass for Espy to put away the third. He is starting to really come into form again.- Honorable mention to Kreis for his subs. They were risky, but they paid off.
Wanker of the Match: Benny Feilhaber
I was really excited to see Benny play at the RioT. He has been a favorite player of mine since his ridiculous goal in the 2007 Gold Cup Final against Mexico. In this game, however, he proved just how much of a prima donna he can be. His antics the entire game were tiresome and his reaction to being pushed off the ball was childish. If Olave is in a worse mood, Benny probably leaves with a couple less teeth.- Honorable mention obviously goes to the officiating crew. A truly awful night by them for both teams. New England has quite a bit to complain about too, if you look at the match. Just a horribly inconsistent night from a bad center and two terrible assistants.
Looking Ahead
RSL has their hands full this coming week. On Saturday they host what I am starting to think is the best team in MLS - FC Dallas. That alone would be worrisome as they only have 5 days to rest for the match. The part that makes this especially interesting, though, is that RSL plays the same team just three days later in an Open Cup quarterfinal. Kreis has already said that he values the Open Cup and that it is one of their targets for this season. To do this, I think it means he'll need to rest some players this weekend. This means, sadly, that the game this weekend might be an ugly one. If Dallas decides to take the Open Cup seriously as well, then they might rest players. If not, well their first string guys - that are killing the rest of MLS - will have a shot at our second string guys. Not a bright outlook at all.
Either way, I'll be there. I'll cheer and hope for the best even if it looks like the result could be a very bad one for RSL. With all the bad luck we've had lately, maybe this is the game it turns around and the luck goes our way again. One can only hope.
FORZA REAL
Cheers,
15 to 32
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