RSL went into Red Bull Arena last night and did something I don't think anybody really had predicted. Not only did they jump out to an early lead, but they thoroughly demolished the home side in the first 25 minutes. The rest of the first half was impressive, though not as much as the first 25 minutes. The second half, on the other hand, was incredibly brutal. Lucky for RSL, they had done enough in the first half to play as bad as they did in the second. All in all, an incredibly huge win for Real not only in terms of playoff positioning, but confidence as well.
From the opening whistle this game looked like it was going to be wildly entertaining. New York was throwing numbers forward and RSL was answering right back with attacks of their own. The break through came off of a controversial corner kick call. Espy went to whip a ball in from the wing with Albright defending him. Upon replay, Espy crossed the ball into his own foot but the sideline official thought the ball had struck Albright and gone out. Regardless, the defending the NY exercised on the subsequent corner was inexcusable. Saborio got open far too easily and headed the ball home into the near post - where a defender was not for some reason. Only minutes later RSL added to their lead. Tim Ream, who continues to show just how over hyped he truly is, went to play a back pass to Rost, the goalkeeper for NY, as Espy applied some pressure. The back pass went maybe 5 feet and sat right in front of Espindola. He coolly touched the ball around Rost and fired into the open net. As if things couldn't get any worse for the home side, in the 21st they were broken down again. A nice combination play in the midfield found Warner alone in the middle. He split the two center backs for New York with a simple - though very beautiful - through ball and Espy was in again. His toe poke past Rost made it 3-0 to the visitors with only 21 minutes taken off the clock. The rest of the first half was much like the opening minutes. Both teams were throwing numbers at each other and the game looked to be very much in RSL's favor. Halftime came and you could tell the home side, and especially their fans, were simply stunned.
The second half was something completely different. Possibly Kreis told his side to take it easy (hopefully) or RSL just thought the lead too large for New York to come back. In any case, the second half was all New York. RSL didn't look to possess the ball much, nor did they look to overexert themselves past the midfield stripe. In fact, it seemed the game plan was to solely win the ball and then subsequently dump it long to Espy and Sabo and have them figure it out on their own. To say it simply: that didn't work. New York was applying pressure and it became incredibly obvious by about the 60th minute that they were going to find the net. Lindpere nearly opened up the scoring shortly thereafter for the home side with a shot that was absolutely indredible. Equally incredible was the save by Rimando, it must be said. This shot served as a warning, not desperation, though, as New York found the back of then net only minutes later. With 20 minutes remaining, New York had all the momentum and was only down by 2 goals. The chances came for them to get another one back, but they simply couldn't do it: the story of New York's season right there. In the end, RSL walked away rather comfortably (overall) with a 3-1 win. A massive win, it can't be understated. Like the win at Seattle, against KC, and at Chivas, this win showed that RSL is capable of playing beautiful soccer and ugly soccer - in the same match - to get a win.
Man of the Match: Fabian Espindola
A lot of players were in the running for this. Schuler, once again, showed he is a capable replacement at outside back. He got burned a few times by Richards, but that was to be expected. Will Johnson, similarly, had an incredible night I thought. Saborio, especially in the first 45, looked very dangerous. Even the new guy in the middle, Cuban Alvarez (not to be confused with Lefturo Alvarez), had an incredible night given the expectations. Espy, though, was the man. With the brace he put the game away. Dude is on fire, lets hope it continues through October and especially November.
Wanker of the Match: Tim Ream
Both he and Marquez had especially bad nights. Tim Ream, though, should appear on the stat sheet for game winning assist. That alone vaults him to the top of the wanker list for this match. Though, to Marquez's credit, he did start to go at it with his own fans. As if the wheels weren't coming off enough already in New York, one of their DP's (who will be gone next season, no doubt about it) has to show just how big of a diva he truly is.
Looking Forward
This weekend could be the deciding weekend in terms of the Supporters Shield race. LA, after a tough 1-0 loss in Costa Rica last night, travels to Columbus for MLS play. RSL travels to DC for a game that looks to be a must win situation for DC. If LA losses, which I fully expect them to do after playing their first team on turf in Costa Rica, and RSL wins (very hopeful thinking) RSL will only be 4 points behind LA with still one more game in hand. Equally important is the Seattle match at Vancouver. If they get a win there (which I expect them to do) coupled with a LA loss, they too will only be 4 points back (though level on games played). Its a massive weekend. One which could all but wrap up the SS for LA, or make it suddenly a 3 team race again.
FORZA REAL
Cheers,
15 to 32
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