RSL and Sporting KC played possibly the most unattractive game of soccer at the RioT this past Saturday. It was the type of game that RSL, in recent years, finds a way to lose or draw. This time around, though, the good guys in red came out on top. Even with the consistent diving, bitching, and physical play from the opponents, RSL found the back of the net via a wonderful set piece (Beckerman) and header (Borchers).
As Beckerman was quoted saying after the game, this one was brutal to watch. Neither team really ever gained much of a flow or rhythm and the official never really let the game get going either. It felt like, to me at least, this game featured more whistles in the first half alone than most games feature even when they go into extra time. The ball was being set for a set piece or retrieved for a throw in more than it was actually being played by the teams. It wasn't pretty.
Much of the blame for this lack of rhythm or flow can be attributed to the way KC approached this game. Sporting employed a very physical and high line on RSL. A tactic that is known to work very well against our midfield and forwards. In this game, it worked pretty well for them. What bothered me, though, was not the way they played their defense per-say (which was very physical) but they way the approached the offensive side of things. There tactic was to get the ball wide and whip it in - again, a known way to beat RSL. Added to this, though, was an incredible amount of diving. Whether on purpose or not, it seemed KC was looking to get RSL into card trouble, especially in the back. We were already stretched thin with Schuler, a normal CB, playing outside back, so it seemed a logical approach. However, the diving should never be encouraged.
It was obvious from the opening 5 minutes this game was going to be chippy. Kei Kamara, in my book, was the one player (if you could blame a single player) that was most responsible. In the first 15 minutes he went down at least 4 times on the right wing for KC. Each time it looked as though he really was embellishing the contact, if there even was any. RSL isn't a team that likes to be victim of diving, a bit ironic, I know. Thus, the game got physical. Schuler and Beckerman were going to actually give Kamara a reason to go down. From there, it just was all down hill.
The goal for RSL, in a bit of poetic justice, came just because of this physical play. A rather stupid foul by KC roughly 35 yards from goal allowed RSL to send in the monsters. With Olave, Schuler, Borchers, and Saborio all on the pitch at the same time, set pieces were something we had to take advantage of. A very nice ball by Beckerman found the head of Borchers (who exactly was marking him is still a mystery) and the lone goal for the game. Upon replay, it looks really tight as to whether or not Borchers was on-sides. His upper body was behind everyone, but his feet were level with the last defender. Its one of those that is up to the discretion of the AR. I've seen it called both ways. In the end, though, KC has to defend better than that. Borchers was wide open, simply inexcusable.
The rest of the game was, as I said, just ugly and sloppy. KC got frustrated late and started to employ more pressure on the RSL back line and on their tackles. Suzi, who I thought to be a very good player before this game, delivered a tackle on Johnson in the closing minutes that summed up the game for me. Johnson beat him into space and looked up field, Suzi came across him and took both legs out while scissoring his legs. Then, Suzi stood over Johnson and taunted him. I'm still shocked that this moment didn't turn into an all out brawl. Maybe it was because the tackle has happened so many times against RSL when playing this team or maybe they were just ready for the match to be over, but how that tackle didn't result in Suzi getting a punch from an RSL player is beyond me.
In the end, RSL got a result that maybe was a bit on the lucky side. With how things have gone this season, we'll take it and not ask questions.
Man of the Match: Nick Rimando
The entire RSL defense deserves credit for a very well played match. The offense rewarded them (even though it was a defender who scored) by getting the one goal to make their efforts worth while. Nicky, in particular, had a spectacular night. He had a huge save in each of the halves and was very good in the air on the crosses. Well done Mr Midget.
Wanker of the Match: Kei Kamara
A lot of people were up for this award. Espinoza seemed the easy target before the game, but his antics were actually rather calm (probably scared of the RioT turning on him very quickly). In the end, Kamara is responsible for this game being as ugly and chippy as it was. The guy is a gigantic douche bag. (honorable mention to Jake Heaps and the BYU offense)
Looking Ahead: 2 Games, 1 Week, Huge Implications
RSL has a two game road trip this week that will, in my opinion, decide whether they have any chance at catching LA for the Supporters Shiled and, in all reality, just how likely they are to finish 2nd rather than 3rd in the West. The game at New York on Wednesday should be a thriller as NY is in desperate need of points. The game in DC on Saturday will likely be one of DC's last gasp hopes as well. RSL can play the role of dream crusher or reviver for their opponents. I'd love to contribute to both the teams being eliminated from playoff contention - especially New York.
FORZA REAL
Cheers,
15 to 32
