Liveblogging From Provo
We’re down here in Provo at the newly renovated South Field and it’s a perfect night for soccer. Tonight we’ll see the Real Salt Lake Reserves take on the BYU Cougars in the first game here since they undertook their renovations. We’ve got the starting lineup for your RSL so check it out…
GK – Kyle Reynish; DF – Dustin Kirby, David Horst, Matias Mantilla, Tony Beltran; MF – Kevin Reiman, Nathan Sturgis, Alex Nimo, Kenny Cutler; FW – Robbie Findley, Kenny Deuchar
Bench: Clint Mathis, Adam Acosta, Chris Wingert, Kip Critchlow, Quinny Varela, Aleksey Korol
No, that is not a typo, former RSL star Clint Mathis is on the roster as he is spending some time training with the squad to prep for his upcoming European season. Other than that there are no real surprises. We should see some quality soccer. Stay tuned…
8th minute: Not much going so far, but we have seen our first sub. A hard tackle on Nathan Sturgis sent the RSL midfielder to the ground. Not wanting to take any chances as Nate is coming back from an injury, Head Coach Jason Kreis brings Mathis on to replace him.
14th minute: Not actually a game update here, but it just came to our attention (sorry, we’re a little slow on the uptake today) that this game is being broadcast live on BYU TV. Check it out!
28th minute: We’re still scoreless down here. Real’s dominated possession but been unable to create any dangerous chances so far. They need to pick the creativity up a bit…
30th minute: Just as we say that, Robbie makes a great run through the heart of the BYU defense and lays off to Tony on his right. Beltran’s first touch was deflected by a Cougar defender, but Robbie was there to clean it up and bury the ball past the onrushing keeper for a 1-0 RSL lead.
32nd minute: Wow, now we can’t even keep up. Off a long clearance from Reynish, the ball finds its way past the defense and at the feet of the speedy Findley. Robbie coolly brings the ball down and easily beats the keeper for his second goal in as many minutes. RSL 2-0.
Halftime: We’ve reached the break with RSL up 2-0. The pace definitely picked up for Real over the last 15 minutes and we could’ve seen a couple more goals, but a big save and a timely offside call left RSL stuck at two.
46th minute: The second half is underway and we’ve got a pair of lineup changes for you, defender Chris Wingert entered for Beltran and Aleksey Korol replaced Robbie up top. We’ve also received word that assists on Findley’s second goal have been credited to both Reynish and midfielder Kevin Reiman.
56th minute: BYU came out firing on all cylinders to start the second stanza, but despite the energy, they couldn’t find that final ball to unlock the defense and create real problems. RSL has picked it up in the last few minutes and nearly added to their lead, but an Alex Nimo blast from the left side of the area rocked the left post.
64th minute: Alex had another golden opportunity there, as he found himself alone on a breakaway. But the young midfielder puled the ball back for just long enough for the defense to catch up and close down his space. We now see another Real sub with guest player, Quinny Varela replacing the Big Scot, Kenny Deuchar, up top.
76th minute: Not much going in the last few minutes. Kreis makes another sub, introducing Adam Acosta for Mathis in the attacking midfield role.
87th minute: Other than another sub (Kip Critchlow for Nimo) and Mantilla drawing the ire of the home crowd for a string of hard challenges, we haven’t seen much for the last 10 minutes.
90th minute: Apparently all we need to do to get some action is tell you nothing’s happening. A beautiful ball from the midfield find Varela in stride behind the defense, and the striker calmly beat the onrushing keeper for a 3-0 RSL lead. As we type that, the official blows the final whistle and we’re done here in Provo. Thanks to BYU for hosting us, it was a fun game in a beautiful new stadium. We look forward to coming back in the future.
15 Jul 2008 06:11 pm RSL HQ 18 comments
Mathis?!?
Okay this Mathis thing is really weird. If he is just here practicing for his upcoming season then why is he playing with our reserves? We need to play OUR guys or at least potential guys. If Mathis isn’t going to play with us get him out of the game and get someone in that needs to practice for RSL. WOW! Come on now! I don’t even know what to say!
Is #22 Quinny Varela? Who, then, is the other African/African American forward who was fouled outside the box in half two, right before Wingert shot over the bar on the ensuing free kick?
Are you kidding Rob, we are playing a bunch of guys not on the RSL roster, Clint Mathis, Adam Acosta, Kip Critchlow, Quinny Varela, Aleksey Korol
I sure would not be upset at our guys training with Mathis, have any of those others played for the national team? How about scoring in a World Cup match? Please understand how rare a chance to practice or play with a player like Cletus is, besides the transfer window is now open and I for one would line up to get a Mathis RSL jersey.
Line up for a Mathis RSL jersey?
Well it that happens then I’m lining up for the Tab Ramos RSL jersey. Maybe the Steve Snow RSL jersey. How about the Walter Zenga RSL jersey?
As of today, Mathis=Acosta.
If Mathis signs with RSL at this point then I may be one not renewing season tickets.
Yes who was that masked man that scored? I think Varela was the Hispanic looking guy and maybe that mystery forward guy was Kip Critchlow. He apparently played in HS at Hillcrest last year according to a quick google. Aleksey Korol’s resume appears very disappointing. He played with Kreis in Dallas in 2001 and has been a journeyman player in the USL and MISL. He apparently went to college at Indiana U. and last year played with the Rockford Thunder of the American Indoor Soccer League.
I hope that this is all a big joke. If these are the type of guys that we are consider signing for the July transfer window are not these guys. I hope that Kreis is Korol’s old buddy and invited him for a kick around in the park and is not seriously consider signing this one and he is doing a favor with Mathis. I wouldnt mind ol’ Clint coming back to us. At least RSL wont have to take his picture off of the promotion van. That German guy Sebastian did not play at all so maybe our trialists are still in camp and we are hiding their identities.
f4denz,
That is all fine and great that Mathis is training with them, but I think when it comes to actual game play lets get guys in that we may use at some point in time. Not just Mathis, but I’ll include all of the guys not on the team. The reserve division is made for potential MLS players to get a shot at proving themselves. It is not a training session for players in other leagues. I am sure Clint can go to Greece and play in their practice games! I actually would be fine if RSL wanted to pick him up again, but if he is justing wasting space for other people then he can stick it.
Does Deuchar, Findley, and Wingert in the starting lineup mean they won’t be starting again on Saturday? The Mathis thing is weird.
Korol played at Indiana with Dema – the Ukrainian connection there.
My guess is that Clint went to Greece to get paid in Euros rather than dollars and is probably making a lot more than he did in MLS. Apparently I read that his wife is from Utah. He might not want to come back to MLS because he would probably have to take a pay cut.
Personally, I actually enjoyed watching Mathis out there. I think he had quite a few really nice touches. Now, I didn’t watch the entire match, so I don’t know if he really screwed up or anything later on…
According to Wikipedia, in his debut with his Greek side he came in as a late sub and made the crucial game winning goal in a battle between two sides trying to avoid relegation. Interesting. He’s obviously very talented. Too bad he didn’t work out here, but it was kind of fun to see him tonight.
There is no way that these are guys Garth and Jason are cosidering for the transfer window!
#22 was Adam Acosta, who has been a practice player for this team ever since Clint was IN shape!!!
Get a clue – Aleksey came from the Ukraine with Dema and another player to go to high school in Rochester, the trio went to Indiana University to play for legendary coach Yeagley and then they all cam into MLS together with the Fire. He’s now a coach at Illinois-Chicago and probably just hanging with Dema, although he and Jason might have played together in Dallas.
I seriously doubt that Garth or Jason are bringing in guys that have been out of contract or haven’t played, or guys over 30 or so. All this team needs is a difference-maker, either up top or out wide – they will do the right thing, bringing in pedigree without upsetting the locker room chemistry.
The other thing to remember is that RSL has 3 roster spots open!
Why are we giving crucial reserve time to guys that aren’t ever going to play with RSL or that RSL isn’t looking at? That is my only question. I don’t care if your buddy is in town! I am in town too, but I am not making reserve game appearances.
Mathis! I luv this guy. I know he bombed it at RSL, but I think he has put his act together. Sign him to a DP slot and pay him the big bucks.
Who am I kidding? me or you?
Not only was the game broadcast on BYU-TV, but they also had both Portuguese and Spanish language broadcast teams working there for BYU-TV International. It was kinda fun to hang out with the Spanish language guys while they interviewed Javi.
Listen playing the BYU squad is not even close to a RSL practice, it simply is a chance to get an little extra practice. This is not the place you would evaluate talent, or have any type of expectations.
So thinking you want players in this match for something more than basic fitness is simply not realistic. Consider that the RSL roster has 28 spots, 2 of those are empty, one is in Seattle on a loan, several others are out with injuries, 18 starters/bench. So how many players would you really want involved in this maybe 6-8, so that means you have a number of spots that you will have to fill with whoever shows up and has shoes.
That is why guys like Adam are still showing up from time to time, as well as perhaps friends of players who may also play the sport. It could also be why a guy in town to spend some time practicing with a team would get some playing time.
Mr. Blitzfan,
Sorry you have no understanding or knowledge about the huge differences between an Adam Acosta and a Clint Mathis. But if you don’t know the difference, there is nothing I could do that would cause it to make sense to you.
So what? I am still pulling for a Mathis to RSL move. LOL Who am I still kidding? me or you?
Professional wrestling is a sport that mixes skill with comedy to increase spectator base. This I believe was something on that line. Mathis is the joke, Kreis is the clown, and BYU is the wanna bee crowd base. The option was just up the channel guide with Telefura broadcasting Superligue, a much better show.