CCL: RSL v Columbus Crew, Leg 2

Here we go.
March 1st at the RioT, sounds so warm, doesn't it.

This game will be one of the most important matches ever played at the RioT, heck, its one of the most important matches of this clubs entire history (yeah, its that short). Coming home after an uneventful but at the same time eventful match in Columbus Ohio, the score is locked at 0-0. 3 players will be serving suspensions in this match after being sent off in the Ohio leg.

One of those three was a Crew member, the other two were RSL players. Tony Beltran, who seemingly just won the starting right back position from Robbie Russel, had his night end far too early on a second yellow that was, in all honesty, a bad tackle but not worthy of a yellow let alone a second yellow to send him off.

The other 2 sending offs went hand in hand as Renteria, for Columbus, decided he would send a message to Nat Borchers with his elbow. For whatever reason, the assistant referee didn't stop play right that second and have Renteria sent off. So, in a rather stupid move, Nat took matters into his own hands. While he will claim he simply put his knee out and sorta tripped Renteria, it was a stupid stupid way of getting even. The AR, after having Nat draw his attention, was checking up on the two and didn't hesitate to stop play this time (oh the irony). He has Nat sent off as Renteria went down like a ton of bricks with the knee. This was somewhat deserved, but really it proved that retaliation gets punished far more often than the initial act. However, the real weirdness came when suddenly the AR remembered what Renteria did and had him sent off as well. Really a bizarre, and to be honest, horrible way of dealing with the situation. Justice was served, I guess you could say, but it all could have been avoided if the AR would have stopped play the first time. Regardless, Nat knows he shouldn't do that.

These two ejections, along with the Tony Beltran one, make this match incredibly interesting. Nat is one of the leaders of this squad, especially for the defense. Kyle may wear the armband, but Nat truly leads that back line. Without him, it will be interesting to see who takes charge. Filling in for Nat will be, and this is mostly a guess as its so early in the season, Rauwshan McKenzie. The youngster had some good and some bad matches last year. This is his chance to get off on the right foot with the fans and more importantly the coaching staff. His performance at Mexico City has many cautious, but a good showing here will help people forget that crazy 5-4 monsoon night.

Filling in for Tony Beltran will be the guy that Tony stole the starting position from, Uncle Phil...

I mean Robbie Russell. The veteran back is the only player on the squad with European Champions League experience, so honestly its not a downgrade at all. In fact, in a match that requires RSL attack much more, he is likely the better option. His crossing abilities are better than Beltran's, though his marking isn't as good. This move may have happened regardless of the ejection to Beltran, so really RSL wont be hurting.

For Columbus, well their ejection might have been a blessing in disguise. Because of the actions of Renteria, Jeff Cunnigham, aka member/leader of the RSL Killer's group, will take the starting position for the Crew up top. Jeff has, as we all know, a rather interesting history with RSL. He was sent packing by Jason Kreis when he first became coach, even despite winning the golden boot the season before. Jeff always seems to get up for games against RSL, especially in the fortress known as the RioT. Jeff will be the guy testing the youngster McKenzie, along with Jamison Olave. In all likelihood, Olave will draw the main responsibility of marking Cunningham. Depending upon the officiating, this could be a good or a bad thing. I have yet to see who will be the center ref for this match, so I cant give my true opinion on this quite yet.

What makes this game really interesting is the application of the away goals rule. Within the 90 minutes of regular time (I will get to why this is key later on) the away goals rule applies, meaning that if there is a draw that is anything but 0-0, the Columbus Crew would advance. Thus, I think the Crew will come out attacking much more than many expect. Even if they open themselves up a little bit, a goal in their favor is gigantic. This likely attacking focus, along with a pitch that has been covered and heated (isn't technology awesome) and will thus be in much better shape than the ice rink at Crew Stadium, will make this game exciting.

Projected Starting XI for the Columbus Crew:

GK: Hesmer (back from injury, wonder how his G-ma is)

LB: Gardner

CB: Iro

CB: Balchan

RB: Miranda (MOTM in the first leg, player to watch)

LM: Rogers (key player going at Russell)

CDM: Grossman (marked on Javi, key to RSL/CBus success)

RM: Gaven (Wingert's big responsibility

CAM: Ekpo (Beckerman should shut him down, again)

FW: Cunningham (see below)

FW: Mendoza (only player with real chance on goal last match)

Crew Key Player of the Match: Jeff Cunningham

Jeff will be the guy for the Crew, if it's going to be anybody, to find the back of the net. He would love nothing more than to be the person responsible for sending RSL home too soon in the tournament.

My projected starting XI for RSL:

GK: Rimando (will be required to make some big saves)

LB: Wingert (on Gaven, big match up)

CB: Olave (on Cunningham, big match up)

CB: McKenzie (youngsters time to prove worth)

RB: Russell (see below)

LM: Johnson

CDM: Beckerman

RM: Grabavoy

CAM: Morales (needs to be the engine)

FW: Espindola (needs to play better this leg)

FW: Saborio (has been our CCL go to guy)

For RSL, the key player of the match is, for me, Robbie Russell

He will likely be our main weapon on crosses. Saborio is tremendous in the air and with Chad Marshall likely out for the Crew, RSL will look to challenge them with crosses. He will also have to take a bit of a leadership type role with Borchers out. He and Wingert will share this responsibility, but I think Russell will be a key to the RSL success.

Prediction: RSL 3 - Columbus 1

30' Saborio (RSL)

41' Cuningham (CLB)

60' Olave (RSL)

85' Paulo Junior (RSL)

RSL opens the scoring, Columbus draws level before half. RSL comes flying out of the gates in the second half and gets one off a set piece. Columbus pushes late to try and equalize, leaving their defense exposed, and Paulo Junior (as a sub for Espy) comes on and finishes the deal.

RSL advances to the semis

The seats are filling fast for this one, so be sure to get a ticket if you haven't already. Should be an electric night.

Cheers,
15 to 32

FORZA REAL

Post RSL v CBus CCL

Well that was ugly...
...in so many ways. The first and most obvious one was the play itself. RSL could not string together more than a couple passes it seemed. The field was also in quite a horrendous shape, which didn't help the play much either. Lastly, and what ruined the return leg (or made it that much more interesting) was the officiating.


Three red cards would make one believe this was an extremely dirty match with players out of control. From what I saw, this was not the case at all. It was obvious it was the first truly competitive game of the season for both teams (and the ref) given the timing of tackles and such. The ref should take this into account. Beltran's first tackle was worthy of a yellow, no doubt. He was late and came through the player (Ekpo, I believe) pretty hard. However, the second one was, at most, a regular foul. He came in from the side, missed the ball or possibly even got a part of it, and simply tripped Garey. The ref, for whatever reason, decides to not do the typical talking to the player knowing he is on a yellow. No, instead he instantly goes to his book and sends Tony off. Marrufo, you blow. I cant really comment on the Borchers/Renteria sending off as I did not see what happened. However, to send both players off something substantial must have happened (and then someone reacted). I didn't take Borchers as the fiery type. Much of the talk has been that Olave is the one with the issues and Borchers the rock. It really wasn't a great time for Nat to challenge people's opinion on him.


As for the actual game itself, I'll put it simply: Columbus was the better side. RSL had moments of their beautiful play, however they couldn't really ever build anything and get a dangerous shot off. When RSL plays well they force the other team to clear their lines in awkward ways and/or give up corners. RSL had 0 corners in the match. That, alone, tells you the kind of day it was for the boys in red. I think the pitch obviously played a factor, as did the cold itself along with it being the first true match; however this team looked like it was playing its first day of preseason soccer. The chemistry was somewhat there, as it should be given the amount of time these guys have been together, but it was so disjointed at times it really didn't ever materialize the way we are so familiar with.


As for the Crew, so much for "re-building". They looked to have things at least somewhat figured out and, in all honesty, have a team ready to compete in MLS play. I think depth will surely be an issue for them, but hell we didnt expect much out of their starters so who knows what to expect from that bench. I tip my hat to their staff, they did well to prepare for this match and really were the better side, overall, on the night. Their red, really, might become a blessing in disguise. Jeff Cunningham, one of the "RSL Killers", will now be starting. Add in that Borchers wont be back there (or Tony) and you have to say Columbus really gained an advantage in that red. Renteria, well done. Man of the match possibly?


The return leg is wide open. RSL has some tough decisions to make in the back line given that 2 starters will be serving suspensions. I wonder if Kreis is comfortable with putting McKenzie or Schuler back with Olave or if he will slide Russell in and use someone else at right back. Either way, RSL has to focus on the offensive end of the ball. If, and that's a huge if, we get a goal, we cant simply sit back and defend. Say Columbus ties it up at 1-1, they would be advancing. Away goals count as a little more in this competition, so RSL has to come out thinking it will score 2 goals. If I was Kreis, I would tell the guys they are down a goal. Yes, they need to focus on defending well, but you have to score, period.

This next part is a new addition I want to add for my blog. A lot of people like to add "man of the match" and I'm all for that. However, I will also be adding "wanker of the match" as that is so much more interesting. So, for last nights CCL first leg:

Man of the Match: Sebastian Miranda
- The new outside back for the Crew had a terrific night and was a large part of the reason why RSL simply couldn't build anything offensively. Great addition for the Crew, this kid is good.

Wanker of the Match: Jair Marrufo
- This guy seems to always want to put his stamp on the match. As a center ref, that's a terrible habit to have. However, he didn't let us down as he sent 3 players off and made the second leg at the RioT all that more interesting.

I'll do a pre-game report for the return leg likely this weekend or Monday (its Spring Break, yay!). Tune in for that.

Cheers,
15 to 32