Nostalgia

Saturday night at the RioT was truly an awesome night. Not only because RSL was able to once again win, but because of how they did so. It was beautiful to watch, thrilling to be part of, and felt like the not so old times where we simply were the class of the league. It was a nostalgic night, for sure.This game was, in all honesty, the best game of soccer I've seen at the RioT in quite some time. Both teams had rather attractive and attack oriented styles. Dallas may have been using a bit more of a counter-attack, but it wasn't in a shell at all. Right from the opening whistle you could tell both teams were valuing this match very highly. It was, as they say, a true 6-point match. It could either separate Dallas from us that much more while also staying equal on the games in hand. Or, as it turned out, it could pull us that much closer while also keeping the same amount of games in hand. In the end, the home team prevailed. It wasn't, however, an easy win by any means.

The first 45 minutes were somewhat sloppy. Their was an added intensity about the match as both teams really wanted to be the first on the scorecard. Dallas was looking to find Brek Shea as much as possible and RSL was using Sabo as a point man. Neither team was overly successful as both teams feature some solid back-lines. Even with Borchers out, RSL looked solid with Schuler filling in just fine. Dallas, on the other hand, had a few scary moments. Their outside backs weren't having the best of nights as Gil and Sabo kept finding space behind them. Eventually, this was going to be their downfall, you could sense it. The most dangerous moment in the first half came from for RSL near the end of the allotted time. Will Johnson found some space on the outside of the box to the left side and hit a strong shot low and somewhat towards the far post. Hartman was complaining their should have been an off sides called as Andy was slow getting back. He never touched the ball or made an attempt to go towards its, though, so it was hard for the ref to interpret. Regardless, Hartman made a pretty ridiculous save as he got down towards his far post and pushed the shot away. At the end of 45 minutes, it was locked up and both sides were very level.

The second 45 started in a rather strange fashion. It was obvious Kreis had put some emphasis on coming out attacking. Right from the whistle RSL was on the attack. Just a couple minutes in they were awarded a free kick about 25 yards away from goal. It was in a position that was perfect for a left-footed player... of course we didn't have one on the pitch. Instead, Andy and Kyle stood over the free-kick to run a well rehearsed set piece. Andy knocked it to KB, who settled it for Andy to bend over the wall. Andy's shot was well hit and had loads of bend, but it went right at Hartman. For whatever reason, Hartman misjudged the ball slightly and it rolled, after striking his hands, into the back of the net. An odd goal, but a goal nonetheless. For the remainder of the half we witnessed some truly attractive soccer. Dallas had to, especially as the game wore on into the latter minutes, push forward with numbers. This allowed space for RSL to exploit once they got the ball. It was a back and forth game in which both teams defenses kept winning the battle in the most desperate of times. In the 85th minute, it looked as though Dallas had broke through. A nice chip found Brek Shea on the right side of the 18 just slightly in. He cut passed a diving Rimando and played the ball to an open Jackson. Jackson's one time shot lacked pace but was going into the back of the net. That was until Chris Wingert made the save of the match. He was originally marking Shea who had got in behind him. As every defender should do, he kept tracking the play and covered the goal once Rimando came out. He pushed the shot off the line and deflated the Dallas attack. As the game died out Dallas got more and more strectched and eventually made a pretty bad mistake in the back. A horrible outlet pass found Will Johnson in on goal with 2 defenders in front of him. Will found Espindola who juked by both defenders and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The final whistle blew before their could even be a restart. A wonderful way to finish the game.

Man of the Match: Tony BeltranIt was no secret that RSL's game plan was to stay composed defensively and then turn that into an attack. The primary goal on the defensive end was to limit the touches Shea received. Tony Beltran shut him down wonderfully. Shea was visibly frustrated by the play that Tony was exercising and upset he couldn't find a way in behind him. Shea tried later on to switch to the other side. Wingert was just as ready. Numerous players were deserving of this award, I felt Tony was the top player of the match, though.

Wanker of the Match: Kevin HartmanHis blunder lead to the win for RSL. However, it wasn't just this mistake that won him the award. This guy has to be the slowest at taking goal kicks in the league. Even down a goal, he seemingly took forever to get the ball back into play. I've never been a fan of his and was really happy to see him and such fault. Hey, Hartman, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!


Looking Ahead: Tuesday's RematchThe turnaround is really quick for both RSL and Dallas. Tomorrow they go at it again, this time in Open Cup play. It's no secret that Kreis really wants to win this thing. With the news that they will host the semi's if they find a way to beat Dallas, I'm sure Kreis will risk his starters on short rest. If RSL wants to win, this is a must.

The XI I think that could get the first RSL win in Dallas would be:

GK: Rimando
- Will likely have to make some big saves in this one. He wasn't needed too much on Saturday.

LB: Beltran
- Not sure if it'll be LB or RB for him, but he has to be on the pitch to stop Shea. Russell and Wingert just simply aren't quick enough to do so.

CB: Borchers
- After serving his unjust suspension, the leader in the middle will have to have a solid night.

CB: Olave
- He might need some rest, which he could get the following Saturday in Vancouver. He dominated the Dallas attack at the RioT. He has to be on the pitch again in Dallas.

RB: Russell
- Wingert is still recovering from hamstring issues or I would put him in. Russell didn't even dress Saturday which makes me believe he is a lock for this one.

LM: Johnson
- The energizer bunny has to show his fitness. Hopefully he'll have a somewhat better match as he didn't have a stellar one on Saturday.

CDM: Beckerman
- We can't win this one without Kyle. He has to dominate the middle of the pitch.

RM: Grabavoy
- His tenacity has to be at its highest of the whole season. The 5 man midfield of Dallas will be a solid test, especially with such short rest.

CAM: Gil
- Luis looked really really good on Saturday. If he could learn to shoot, he probably could have even earned MOTM honors. When he moved back into the middle late he looked comfortable. Warner and Andy just aren't in form right now. Play the best man, that's Gil.

FW: Saborio
- He won numerous balls for us in the air on Saturday. His antics about being subbed were hopefully just frustration about not finding the net. We need him to be ready for this match.

FW: Espindola
- It's time the Argentine got back in the starting XI. If he and Sabo are given that much time to go at the Dallas defense, I'm sure they'll find the goal.

Prediction: RSL 2 - FCD 2
- Sabo and Espy with the goals
- RSL wins in pk's.

Its going to be a hot match as the temperatures are projected into the triple digits at opening kick. Kreis has to have these guys focused and ready to lay it all on the line. A win here justify sending a reserve team up to Vancouver Saturday. All it takes is this and two more wins and RSL would be back in the Champions League. That has to be bulletin board material.

FORZA REAL

Cheers, 15 to 32