It is here.
And I, like many others, am not overly excited with what MLS gave RSL for their 2011 schedule. Don't get me wrong, I want to see the boys in red as much as possible and as soon as possible, but 7 games before Memorial Day is crazy given our attendance history. Pre-Memorial Day games tend to not sell well unless given a crazy discount/deal; and even then they struggle to get over 75% capacity. This season is truly going to test the RSL Front Office (RSLFO) in terms of getting the word out and finding a way to attract fans to games in weather that isn't exactly lovely all the time.
Here is the 2011 schedule: http://www.realsaltlake.com/schedule
A couple points I want to make about this schedule:
1) It is built around Concacaf Champions League, which is wonderful. It gives RSL ample time (if they advance past Columbus) to travel to either Costa Rica or Honduras. If we get past that match up (huge if) then there is a gap for us to travel to Mexico as well. MLS helped both us and Columbus out in this effort, but it does hurt us later on in the season with some heavy congestion.
2) It essentially send "screw you" to the traveling fans of the RMC. We host the cRapids on a Wednesday... IN APRIL. How exactly those "fans" are supposed to get here is beyond me. People work, have families, previous plans, etc. That stuff is far more important than the rivalry game. Sadly, that game will lose some of its edge, if you will, because of this schedule. The game in Colorado is on a Friday in October. It gives RSL fans time to arrange stuff (at least more than cRapid fans) but it still isn't a weekend game that people can swing easier. My buddy and I made the trip out there last season on Saturday morning because we both had work and school during the week. There is no way we could have gone if it was on a Friday, let alone a Wednesday.
3) 9 of the last 13 are on the road for RSL. With our history, sans last year, on the road this is a scary thing. I am fully confident that our road struggles wont be as bad as they have been in previous years, but its not like we are the same team away from the RioT as we are there (everyone will admit that). We need to build a substantial lead in the first half of the season to have a real shot at the Supporters Shield.
4) We finish the season against Portland?! I really didn't get this part of the schedule at all. We have a great tradition with the cRapids in that we finish the season playing against each other and thus crowning a RMC champion (at least in the last 2 years). Now, we play against the new expansion side to finish the season? Why are they not playing Seattle (or Vancouver) to end the season and why are we not playing the cRapids? I don't get what MLS was thinking. Sure, there are going to be CCL issues for both the cRapids and Seattle, but that didn't seem to matter too much last year.
5) A month by month break down of matches is rather interesting.
(just of MLS matches)
March: 1 home game, 1 road game
April: 2 home games, 2 road games
May: 3 home games, 1 road game
June: 3 home games, 3 road games
July: 4 home games, 1 road game
August: 1 home game, 4 road games
September: 2 home games, 3 road games
October: 1 home game, 2 road games
- July and August see a lot of games (with potentially more) in the summer heat
- August through September has loads of travel
- The opening 5 months will make or break this season
6) Big matches to keep an eye on:
March:
- 19th @ SJ. Season Opener is always big. Hope we can repeat what we did last year there
- 26th vs LAG. An early preview of the Western Conference Finals, perhaps?
April:
- 13th vs cRapids. The RMC will be that much more interesting with the two teams on the field being the previous 2 MLS Cup winners.
- 30th @ PDX. Going to that place will be interesting. I'm tempted to fly out
May:
- 7th vs Chivas USA. Our "rivalry" might have something to it with Fraser now their coach. Side note: watch out for Chivas this year
- 14th vs HOU: We dont like each other, and our games prove it over the past couple of years.
- 22nd @ FCD: Time to avenge that far too early playoff exit.
June:
- 8th @ CBus: No matter which way the CCL match-up goes, this will be the first time the teams see each other afterwards. Should be entertaining considering our history, as well.
- 18th vs DCU: Charlie Davies back at the RioT?! That sounds awesome to me
July:
- 4th vs NE: I find it funny ESPN picked up this game (of all the home RSL games). I think it's because the last 2 years we have had plenty of fireworks when they came here (11 goals in 2 games for RSL)
- 9th vs FCD: The fans will get to avenge that loss, now. Also, we tend to have crazy games against them at the RioT.
- 16th @ VAN: Like the Portland game, this will be interesting for the boys.
August:
- 3rd @ SKC: First time for RSL in their new (beautiful) stadium. Should be a whole lot better than that baseball field.
- 6th vs NYRB: Henry, Marquez, Lindpere, Richards, etc. This game will be good, mark my words.
September:
- 10th @ SEA: 2009 doesn't seem that far away when you think about it. Going back to where we finished that crazy run will be awesome. Like the PDX and VAN games, crowd should be great.
- 21st @ NYRB: The stadium is beautiful, the teams play good soccer, and if last the game is like last year it should be wonderful to watch.
October: (all games)
- 1st @ LAG. Given the timing of the game and expectations for the teams, this could be huge for the Supporters Shiled or at least Western Conference 1st seed.
- 14th @ cRapids: Do I even have to explain this one? Go get the RMC (again)
- 22nd vs PDX: End of the season, not against who it should be, but this league always proves to have some wild regular season finishes.
Overall, I am happy to have the schedule and be able to "plan my life around RSL" (sorry to my wife and daughter). There are some obvious flaws, but its MLS, those were to be expected. I can't wait for the 22nd as we get to finally see the boys play in a meaningful match. Then on the 1st, live in person. This season has the potential, as many people have stated, of being something truly special. CCL, MLS, Playoffs, Open Cup, the RMC, etc. We could win a host of trophies this year. But, lets do this one step at a time. Columbus on the 22nd is the sole focus of this squad (I have faith in Kreis about this). After that, it will be on the 1st. Lets not get too worked up over what could be this year.
RSL @ Columbus at 6pm on February 22nd on FSC. Be there (in front of your TV) cheering the boys on wearing your RSL colors.
Cheers,
15 to 32
2.10.2011
1.31.2011
Just 3 Weeks Away!
That's right, 3 weeks from now RSL will be starting off the 2011 season with a road trip to the Columbus Crew in CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) play. Many have picked the good guys in red to come out on top in this match-up.
I want to add fair warning that this wont be an easy match-up for RSL. Columbus has, especially in the last couple of years, been a very talented side that consistently has a strong side. While it is true they seem to be changing up the philosophy there and going a different direction, fact remains that they have a very good recent history. In fact, they have a pretty damn good recent history. All this talk about them "struggling" is based on 0 actual game evidence. Sure, they struggled in the playoffs the last two years. But, to their credit, the teams they lost to (in both years) became eventual MLS Cup champions. Its not as though they lost to San Jose or something (yes, a New York slam as required). There are plenty of reasons why RSL fans should take this match up seriously and not start discussing if you would rather see Saprissa or Olimpia come to the RioT. They are listed below.
First: RSL struggles at Columbus. Outside of that insane 2009 playoff match up, RSL has not had great success when they head to the Ohio side. Since 2008 (I throw out the 2005-2007 "dark ages" as the "team" that RSL was then is nothing like the squad RSL is now) RSL has a record of 0-3-0(W-L-D) at Ohio. They are 3-0-0(W-L-D)against them in Utah, though. We have split the series with them for the last 3 years. In a 2-leg setup, a win in the first leg (in Columbus) is a potential huge mental edge. I dont think that RSL is very susceptible to this, but it has to be said. We struggle there, and our history shows no reason for it to change. I would also like to point out that while that 2009 playoff match up was insane, it was also incredibly lucky. If it had been a regular season game, I think we lose as Columbus maybe doesn't throw the numbers they did at times in that game.
Second: Its going to be cold. We have a squad full of players that love to play the game the beautiful South American/Central American way. Notice those 2 regions don't tend to be all that cold. The players should be somewhat accustomed to the weather, but its going to hurt the level of play without a doubt. The passes wont be as crisp, the shots not as sweet, the movement not as fluid. The weather, sadly, will have an effect on this match. Let's just hope it is minimal and there aren't any snow storms that hit either Ohio or Utah on game day.
Third: Jeff Cunningham. This one scares me the most. The guy has scored against RSL on a consistent basis for the last couple of years, especially with Dallas. For whatever reason (I think we all can put it together), Jeff gets up for the game against RSL, especially at RSL. He will give the back line a headache and I would wager he will score. Now it is true he hasn't signed officially with the Crew yet (to my knowledge) but all signs point to him doing that. He will be the X-factor, without a doubt, for this series as a whole. He could really do a number to RSL fans hopes of advancing to the semis.
Conclusion: Don't take the crew lightly. Yes, their crest may look like a Village People sticker, but those YMCA folks can play some ball. They still have Chad Marshall in the back and Rogers in the middle. They will have a talented squad on the field for both matches that will demand the respect and full attention of RSL.
Tune in on February 22nd at 6pm mtn time on FSC to cheer on the good guys in red. And, more importantly, get your tickets to the March 1st game at the RioT at 8pm. It should be a warm sunny affair, don't worry ;)
Cheers,
15 to 32
I want to add fair warning that this wont be an easy match-up for RSL. Columbus has, especially in the last couple of years, been a very talented side that consistently has a strong side. While it is true they seem to be changing up the philosophy there and going a different direction, fact remains that they have a very good recent history. In fact, they have a pretty damn good recent history. All this talk about them "struggling" is based on 0 actual game evidence. Sure, they struggled in the playoffs the last two years. But, to their credit, the teams they lost to (in both years) became eventual MLS Cup champions. Its not as though they lost to San Jose or something (yes, a New York slam as required). There are plenty of reasons why RSL fans should take this match up seriously and not start discussing if you would rather see Saprissa or Olimpia come to the RioT. They are listed below.
First: RSL struggles at Columbus. Outside of that insane 2009 playoff match up, RSL has not had great success when they head to the Ohio side. Since 2008 (I throw out the 2005-2007 "dark ages" as the "team" that RSL was then is nothing like the squad RSL is now) RSL has a record of 0-3-0(W-L-D) at Ohio. They are 3-0-0(W-L-D)against them in Utah, though. We have split the series with them for the last 3 years. In a 2-leg setup, a win in the first leg (in Columbus) is a potential huge mental edge. I dont think that RSL is very susceptible to this, but it has to be said. We struggle there, and our history shows no reason for it to change. I would also like to point out that while that 2009 playoff match up was insane, it was also incredibly lucky. If it had been a regular season game, I think we lose as Columbus maybe doesn't throw the numbers they did at times in that game.
Second: Its going to be cold. We have a squad full of players that love to play the game the beautiful South American/Central American way. Notice those 2 regions don't tend to be all that cold. The players should be somewhat accustomed to the weather, but its going to hurt the level of play without a doubt. The passes wont be as crisp, the shots not as sweet, the movement not as fluid. The weather, sadly, will have an effect on this match. Let's just hope it is minimal and there aren't any snow storms that hit either Ohio or Utah on game day.
Third: Jeff Cunningham. This one scares me the most. The guy has scored against RSL on a consistent basis for the last couple of years, especially with Dallas. For whatever reason (I think we all can put it together), Jeff gets up for the game against RSL, especially at RSL. He will give the back line a headache and I would wager he will score. Now it is true he hasn't signed officially with the Crew yet (to my knowledge) but all signs point to him doing that. He will be the X-factor, without a doubt, for this series as a whole. He could really do a number to RSL fans hopes of advancing to the semis.
Conclusion: Don't take the crew lightly. Yes, their crest may look like a Village People sticker, but those YMCA folks can play some ball. They still have Chad Marshall in the back and Rogers in the middle. They will have a talented squad on the field for both matches that will demand the respect and full attention of RSL.
Tune in on February 22nd at 6pm mtn time on FSC to cheer on the good guys in red. And, more importantly, get your tickets to the March 1st game at the RioT at 8pm. It should be a warm sunny affair, don't worry ;)
Cheers,
15 to 32
1.17.2011
2011
Well hello there...
After a much to long hiatus I am back. 2011 promises to be a rather exciting year in the soccer world (is there ever a boring one?) once again. Not only is it exciting in the soccer world but come this May, if everything goes to plan, I will receive my bachelor's degree from Westminster College in Economics and Pre-Law. I can not begin to explain how much relief that will bring but how stressful it is now, even 5 months away.
This blog will likely be dedicated mainly to RSL with pieces on international soccer (AC Milan, especially) put in from time to time. I love this game more than I can explain and need to find a proper way of paying back to it for the time being (coaching and officiating are on the to-do list, don't worry).
In 2010 I found excuses not to post on here. After awhile it just got mundane and felt as though it was just another task. I don't want to fall into that trap again. It is because of this that I will be posting whenever I damn well please. No schedule. What you can expect from me in 2011 is nothing. When I post, I will give my honest feelings on the game or whatever it is I am discussing, but it will be anything but consistent. I do promise you that each post I do make this year, though, will be made with a lot of effort, time, and thought.
It's going to be a fun year. I will likely post again before the Concacaf Champions League matches begin at the end of February. RSL will be going to Columbus with a mission. A win there would all but seal there spot in the next round.
Cheers,
15 to 32
After a much to long hiatus I am back. 2011 promises to be a rather exciting year in the soccer world (is there ever a boring one?) once again. Not only is it exciting in the soccer world but come this May, if everything goes to plan, I will receive my bachelor's degree from Westminster College in Economics and Pre-Law. I can not begin to explain how much relief that will bring but how stressful it is now, even 5 months away.
This blog will likely be dedicated mainly to RSL with pieces on international soccer (AC Milan, especially) put in from time to time. I love this game more than I can explain and need to find a proper way of paying back to it for the time being (coaching and officiating are on the to-do list, don't worry).
In 2010 I found excuses not to post on here. After awhile it just got mundane and felt as though it was just another task. I don't want to fall into that trap again. It is because of this that I will be posting whenever I damn well please. No schedule. What you can expect from me in 2011 is nothing. When I post, I will give my honest feelings on the game or whatever it is I am discussing, but it will be anything but consistent. I do promise you that each post I do make this year, though, will be made with a lot of effort, time, and thought.
It's going to be a fun year. I will likely post again before the Concacaf Champions League matches begin at the end of February. RSL will be going to Columbus with a mission. A win there would all but seal there spot in the next round.
Cheers,
15 to 32
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