The Galaxy defeated RSL in a rematch of last year’s MLS Cup final. w
The power behind the Galaxy’s attack was Edson Buddle who scored both of L.A.’s goals in a 2-1 Galaxy victory. Besides the fact that he is coming into his own this shows that perhaps we need more homegrown talent–not talents that got fostered in Europe only to come over on a loan just for fun and then go right back to Europe for some “real” competition. Read more...(283 words, 2 images, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)
The MLS Regular Season is here and we have so much to look forward to. The Galaxy are sans Becks and Donovan–did I mention they both took loan deals in Europe so they could get the hell away from the MLS? Oh, and that was after they lost the MLS Cup to RSL.
RSL gets a chance to defend their title in the new position of being “not the dark horse”. I mean, when they were trying to squeak into the playoffs and then through the playoffs I was riding their train because I thought it would be a nice “upstart” story, but I didn’t think they would win the whole thing. Read more...(328 words, 2 images, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
The Side: Real Salt Lake is the reigning champion of MLS, and they surely deserve their title belt based on last season’s heroic sprint to the finish. They barely made the playoffs, but once they were in there was no one who could stop them from claiming the Cup. Jason Kreis must be recognized as one of the league’s top coaches despite his tender years as a manager, and his ragtag blend of dedicated vets and upstart youngsters are a fine side.Read more...(237 words, 2 images, estimated 57 secs reading time)
Watching Andy Williams fall to the ground in utter exhaustion after coming within a turn of scoring the winning goal in the MLS Cup Final I was just heartbroken for him. You could tell he had nothing left and then the match went into penalties because RSL had shutout the “Sensei of Soccer” and the Galaxy had no answer except the lone goal from Mike Magee.
The game had been extremely tough for 120 minutes and when they finally got to penalties I was concerned that NEITHER team was going to be able to make a good showing because they were all so gassed and because Josh Saunders was in for Donovan Ricketts. Read more...(411 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)
The MLS Cup Final is tomorrow at 8:30 on ESPN (nice coverage for Soccer here in the US) and we still don’t know if Becks is hurt or not. With Landon Donovan also being named the MVP of the league and RSL chomping at the bit to get this thing on I will still ask the same question. Do you trust L.A. when the “Sensei of Soccer” is missing one head? If Becks is out I’m taking RSL. If he’s in it’s L.A. all the way. No doubt about it. He’s not that important, but the togetherness of Beckham and Donovan is. Read more...(333 words, 3 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
Two things to talk about this morning that affect my entire sports weekend. First, let me say that I am very glad that my wife (who is going on a mission trip to a far-off land for about a week) is not flying through France or Ireland to get there because right now someone is probably screaming their head off in the streets of Ireland. Let me say this…you FIFA people need replay and you need it now. Everyone who works for FIFA who saw the handball by Henry should be disciplined immediately for not doing anything about it at the match and before the teams left the field. Moreover, if this doesn’t make you want to have instant reply I don’t know what will. BTW- For those of you who wonder why Soccer doesn’t take off in the U.S. here’s reason #47454556: They don’t use instant replay and with a blatant missed call (and the precedent to back it up) FIFA will not order the replay of a match. American sports (with the exception of Baseball which has slipped anyways) are used to calls being righted by instant replay so that championships and things are not decided like this. FIFA should be ashamed of themselves. Read more...(289 words, 1 image, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)
Real Salt Lake came on the MLS scene in 2005 with much fanfare, but their first three seasons were marred by poor results. In 2008, they finally qualified for the playoffs and they rode a wave of good play all the way to the semifinals before falling to NYRB. They have still never won a major trophy, but I don’t think it will be too much longer now.
As they have only been around for four years, they do not have many legends. Freddy Adu plied his trade in Utah before moving across the ocean to Benfica. Eddie Pope also played for RSL, as did Chris Klein, Jeff Cunningham, Alecko Eskandarian and Jason Kreis, the squad’s current coach. He’s done a remarkably good job so far too. Read more...(237 words, 1 image, estimated 57 secs reading time)
Real Salt Lake will begin defense of its MLS Crown away to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 27, 2010. RSL’s first home game is April 10th versus the Seattle Sounders
The 2010 MLS Regular Season will see each team play a 30-game regular season, followed by playoffs among eight qualifying teams. The 2010 regular season will conclude Oct. 24. The MLS Cup Playoffs will culminate in the championship match, MLS Cup 2010, on Nov. 21.
Recap: RSL finished an evenly balanced 10-10-10 in 2008 and were above .500 for the first time in their history. Though they fell in the conference final to the non-conference Red Bulls, they had a very successful season and will look to continue their momentum in 2009. Overall, I’d give them a B- for their year.
Offense: RSL’s offensive woes continued in 2008 as they only managed 40 goals for the duration of the season to finish 11th in goals overall. Their playoff production looked better, but they still need more weapons. Movsisyan heated up as the season went on, but he and Morales can’t carry the whole load so they get a C+ for offense.Read more...(245 words, estimated 59 secs reading time)
Dave van den Bergh got the goal midway through the first half that earned the Red Bulls their first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup but the story of this game was the missed opportunities for Real Salt Lake.
Cheered on by a crowd of 20,008 RS: attacked all game outshooting New York 24-11. Four of those shots hit the woodwork and and Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero made several brillant saves to deny RSL again and again, Read more...(571 words, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)