Rough One in Jersey
First of all, we’d like to apologize for the lack of live updates. We were unable to get any internet connection while we were at Lumpys tonight. On to the game…
RSL came out looking good from the get-go, pushing the pace on New York and testing the Red Bulls three-man backline almost immediately. With the tough Giants Stadium turf, there seemed to be almost no possession in the midfield, as each team pushed the ball every chance they got. Both Yura Movsisyan and Robbie Findley looked to use their great pace to pressure the slower Red Bulls defense.
That pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute when Yura took a great flicked-on ball from Robbie, beat his defender, and slotted the ball into the New York net for the 1-0 lead.
Despite both teams continuing their pressure and knocking on the door to score, Yura’s third goal in the last five games was the lone tally as the teams headed to the locker room for the break.
Returning to the pitch to start the second stanza, it didn’t take long for New York, more specifically their star Juan Pablo Angel, to change the look of the game. Just four minutes after the half, the talented Colombian chased down a long ball down the left flank, slipped by fellow countryman Jamison Olave, and slid the ball past an onrushing Nick Rimando to level the score.
Unfortunately for RSL, despite continuing to look the more dangerous squad, it was the Red Bulls that were able to capitalize on the temporary momentum shift and pick up the much-needed second goal. In the 64th minute, New York midfielder Dave van den Bergh took a through-ball from Dane Richards and, taking advantage of an RSL offside-trap that couldn’t quite pull up in time, put his left-footed shot inside Rimando’s far corner for the 2-1 lead.
Real Salt Lake certainly had no quit in them, ramping up their offense and pushing for the equalizer for the next 30+ minutes. Despite creating a slew of great chances, including a Yura shot that beat the keeper but smacked the near-post without going in, the final goal was not there for the visitors.
RSL leaves New York desperate for a big home victory next Saturday as they host a Chivas USA squad only one point behind them in the Western Conference standings. It’s a massive game with huge playoff implications.
That’s it for us tonight, we’ll be back later with some updates ahead of next weekend’s affair.
13 Sep 2008 08:44 pm RSL HQ 14 comments
I thought the team played pretty well tonight. The first goal was definitely a foul on Angel. However, Olave should never have put himself in the position where that could have happened. In all the games since RSL’s 15 game break, Olave has had a troubling trend of giving the ball away, trying to be too cute. I think he’s getting a little arrogant in his ability to be handle the ball and it has cost RSL several times.
Johnson continues to play very well and make a big difference for the midfield.
The lack of finishing is really hurting us. We easily should have had 2 more goals tonight.
We just can’t seem to get over the hump in games this year. Maybe next year with a year together under our belts will be a difference. The boys need to step it up another gear or they won’t make the playoffs.
We suck!
man that was an ugly showing in the second half by our defense. I could have sworn that we traded in jerseys with the d from a couple years ago. Horrendous second half… and the playoffs are slipping away
If we had Bruce Arena in as head coach, believe me, the middle official would have been sure to override that second redbull goal to offsides…and it was. How do we get screwed last week on an overrule and then screwed again this week on one that isnt overruled.
Seems like classic MLS officiating, inconsistency is the only consistency!
Another game on the road…..Another poor result. Why do we even bother? Its like I already know whats going to happen. We’ll beat Chivas next Saturday. Lose to San Jose and then lose to New England.
Thank God the rest of the west also seem unable to win on a consistant basis.
RSL has 6 games left, 3 at home and 3 on the road. 4 of those games are against western conferance teams. RSL should be able to control their own destiny.
Lets hope we can tighten up the Defence, the first goal was a foul against Olave, but he should never have been so casual in that kind of situation.
Final thought:
Now is the time to get it together!!!!!
Ya, that was just an ok game. Obviously the 2 goals by NY were terrible. Both really bad calls by the refs. I agree with Timoteo and I blame Olave though for the first one. Sure it was a foul, but that whole situation could have been avoided. He’s turning more into Pope everyday….
Good effort by Movi though. I haven’t been impressed by him at all but he was the best striker that night by far. Findley didn’t do much and held onto the ball way too long. We should have scored a lot more, but just a lack of finishing is still hitting us hard. Good effort, just too bad the refs took another one away from us.
this means we have to win all our home games to be able to qualify for the playoffs.kyle b. said he was very disappointed and thought that the mistakes that they made last game were the game as this on. the defense really fell apart and olave even slipped up ….the game saturday better end with a win from ReAL!!!!
Is there an address where we can send in our complaints to MLS about poor officiating, because MLS REFS SUCK!!!!
Neither one of NY’s goals should have counted, especially if they took our goal away last week against L.A.! I swear there’s a conspiracy in MLS, maybe not so much to kick RSL down, but at least to help the bigger market teams get some results.
What ever the reasons, the officiating or bad defence or lack of finnishing. I predict RSL will end up with 35 points at the end of the season and be in fifth place in the west, totally out of the playoffs and will lose the Rocky Mountain cup to the CRapids at their home. The main advantage they have had this season at home will be gone after this Saturday, they will not have the crappy surface at Rice Eccles to play on anymore. As we all have seen since the club was created, getting results on the road is not something they do well. Now they will have a new field with grass? It will be like they are playing on the road but with better fans. I am wondering if anyone else is worried about this?
I disagree with iriepup. It’s not so much the surface, as it is how we approach the game. The difference between home and away for us has been finishing and mental mistakes on defense. We finish our chances much better at home, and we avoid costly defensive errors. On the road the opposite has been true. I am fan of Olave, but he has cost us (at least) four points over the last two games. He gifted both New York and LA goals that allowed them to get back into games that we were thoroughly dominating. He did get fouled, but he should have cleared the ball like Nick told him to. It was a non chance that turned into a goal, just like Buddles take away in LA.
You know, I had a lot of belief in RSL and the play offs this year, but if they play even one more game like the last two. They’re not going anywhere after that final Crapids game! Very disappointed in RSL this last month.
Olave loses the ball to much!
Joy loses the man too much!
And Dr. Goals doesnt score?
At least Andy’s back, and Beckerman has started to look aggresive again, and you’ve gotta love Will Johnson, best addition yet!
I’m so tired of poor officiating. Would someone at RSL FO please tell us what teams can do when awful calls are made? What is the process for challenging poor officiating? Why won’t soccer (FIFA) institute a review process of some sorts. I don’t understand their hesitancy of using technology.
Olave was clearly fouled on the play, and the second goal was obviously off sides. The sideline ref even had the advantage of the football lines to show the player was off sides. What is the problem with MLS officials? Can’t any of them call a fair game. It’s getting to the point where I don’t even want to watch any more because these idiot zebras can’t do their jobs.
Is anybody else nearly as frustrated as I am?
Was at the game sat night. Olave wasn’t really fouled; it looked more like he tripped. Also, VDB wasn’t offsides. He ran onto the ball after someone on D kept him onsides. I think it was really close tho, but the lines on the field showed he was on, even the replay on their big screen showed he was on.
All in all, tough loss. Mov and Findley need some target practice.
I watched the replays and Olave did NOT simply trip or fall down. Angel practically threw him on the ground. Also, VDB looked offsides to me.