Part Deux!
Well, they’re underway at the Home Depot Center here in L.A. It’s a beautiful night for soccer and the let’s hope the action on the pitch can match it. RSL comes into the game, it’s fifth against Chivas USA this season, needing a draw or better to move on to the Western Conference Finals.
Let’s get on to the lineups…
Real Salt Lake: GK – Nick Rimando; DF – Chris Wingert, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Robbie Russell; MF – Kyle Beckerman, Dema Kovalenko, Javier Morales, Will Johnson; FW – Yura Movsisyan, Clint Mathis
Bench: Chris Seitz, Tony Beltran, Nathan Sturgis, Andy Williams, Kenny Deuchar, Fabian Espindola, Robbie Findley
Chivas USA: GK- Zach Thornton; DF – Carey Talley, Jim Curtin, Shavar Thomas, Jonathan Bornstein; MF – Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza; FW – Ante Razov, Atiba Harris
Bench: Dan Kennedy, Bobby Burling, Alex Zotinca, Dejair, Daniel Paladini, Justin Braun, Alecko Eskandarian
12th minute: Well, we’re just over 10 minutes in and it’s been a physical affair so far. No real scoring chances for either team, but RSL looks a bit cautious in the early going.
15th minute: A couple comments on the lineup – left back Ian Joy was unable to go tonight due to a lingering hamstring issue, pushing Robbie Russell into the Starting XI with Chris Wingert moving to the left side of the backline. Dema Kovalenko also sees himself out there replacing Andy Williams in a defensive move to shore up the midfield (on a side note, it allows Jason to bring Bomma off the bench as a great change of pace in the second half).
21st minute: And RSL has started to find its attacking legs. Yura has continued to look like the team’s best attacking option (aside from Javi’s creativity of course) as he’s earned himself a couple good chances already. Chivas is going to struggle to contain him once again, it appears. Let’s hope he can put one (or two) home…
29th minute: And Ante Razov goes down at the very corner of the box in a tumple with Javi, and the referee points to the spot. It’s Sacha Kljestan who steps up and the Chivas midfielder launches his shot into the upper right corner past a leaping Nick Rimando. Chivas leads 1-0, but remember RSL holds a goal from last weekend, so on aggregate it’s 1-1.
39th minute: Wow, RSL finds its equalizer. Robbie Russell plays a great ball behind the defense that finds Javi, who’s one-touch cross hits Dema streaking at the near post. The veteran midfielder’s diving header easily beats Zach Thornton and sneaks inside the far post. 1-1 (RSL 2-1 aggregate).
44th minute: Two UNBELIEVABLE saves by Nick there. Nagamura ended up being whistled for offside, but we thought we’d tell you Nick came to play!
Halftime: The referee whistles for the break. It’s been a wild, back-and-forth match so far. We’ll be back in a few.
54th minute: Almost 10 minutes into the second half and we’ve seen much more of the same; it’s physical, aggressive and possessive soccer from both sides. RSL definitely has not bunkered down and gotten defensive yet.
64th minute: Chivas now has four strikers on the pitch (Razov, Harris, Alecko Eskandarian, and Justin Braun) and is bringing everything they can. Let’s see if RSL can hang on.
As we say that, Javi finds Yura on a counter attack and his resulting shot nearly finds the back of the net, just hitting the side netting.
72nd minute: RSL almost capitalizes on a counter-attack as Javi finds himself run at Thornton all alone. His left-footed chip shot sails well wide though. Jason takes this opportunity to replace Clint Mathis up top with Robbie Findley. Robbie’s been able to use his great pace to punish teams with the counter before. Let’s see if he can do it again…
77th minute: That didn’t take long! Dema finds Robbie streaking down the left flank with a long ball. The speedy striker is unable to get himself in on goal, but he keeps the play alive and lays it off to Javi. The RSL midfielder takes one touch and hits a beautiful shot across the ground and into the far post for a 2-1 RSL lead (3-1 on aggregate).
83rd minute: Now it’s Chivas’ turn. The Goats pull one back as Francisco Mendoza finds Justin Braun streaking through the middle of the RSL defense. The Salt Lake native coolly takes the chance and buries the ball inside Nick Rimando’s left post. 2-2 (RSL leads 3-2 on aggregate).
87th minute: Unfortunately, we’ve got to check out to get on the pitch postgame. We’ll be back after the match with the final roundup.
End of Match: Per RSL requirements, there was more late game drama tonight, it was just of a different sort. The last two weeks have seen RSL tally last-minute goals to get results they needed, this week it was RSL desperately trying to avoid surrendering such a goal. Clinging to a one goal lead in the aggregate series, Real weathered the Chivas storm and booked their spot in next weekend’s Western Conference Championship. Both teams left everything they had on the pitch in do-or-die game that lived up to its billing.
Say what you will about this RSL squad, but they’ve show incredible grit and poise over the last couple months. We certainly look forward to seeing what they can do next week — and beyond.
We know that RSL will be playing in next weekend’s match, but other than that we don’t know much. The game will either be in Houston against the two-time defending Champion Dynamo or at Rio Tinto Stadium against the New York Red Bulls. We’ll find out tomorrow as those two square off in Houston with the winner advancing.
Well, we don’t have a whole lot else to say about tonight, so we’re going to leave you and enjoy the celebration. Make sure to get the full rundown of tonight’s events on MLSnet.com, from the Deseret News, or The Salt Lake Tribune.
08 Nov 2008 08:49 pm RSL HQ 42 comments

Frustrating first 30 minutes. Always when RSL sits on the defense we start sucking it up. We need to come out more offensively. Interesting move by Kreis to not start Williams. Just frustrating…. Hopefully the rest of the game will go better!
JAVI SCORES!!! Ya!!!! Go RSL!
YEEEEESSSSSS!!!! That had to have been THE most stressful game I have ever watched RSL played. We stepped it up in the last 20 min. though and had some great shots on goal. Beautiful goal by Dema. I can’t believe Morales missed that shot!! He should have had that. Findley had some really good looks at goal too. I’m just so happy right now!! We sure looked fractic though. We need to settle down on the pitch in the western conference finals if we want to prevail. GO RSL!!!!
congrats boys!!! now lets hope houston has epic fail!!!
Yura, Dema and Javi are my freaking heroes! Rooting for NY tomorrow so we can get the home game. Been so impressed with RSL’s play in the playoffs.
Awesome win, awesome game! I thought we had a good game plan tonight and executed. I thought we should have started Williams over Kovelenko, but he had the big goal and played a good game. I think we are just a little to defensive minded with Kovalenko in the game with our other usual starters. I am starting to think I should take back what I have said about Mathis. I thought he has had a great playoff series, not so sure about his play in the regular season, but great in the last two games. Go New York!! We need the home game (hopefully our field is not destroyed). RSL!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to get her done boys….One more win till we go to the CUP!!!!!
Sometimes, a win is a win, and you’ll take what you can get — especially on aggregate. What a match!
How did Mathis and Russell make this team?
I was at the game – Was threatened by Chivas fans – Hung out with the team after the game at the hotel!!! Great stuff –
Bud Fox…. Your an idiot – Mathis has been playing very well – Russell is very classy. He made the pass that lead to our 1st goal and was a monster on defense all night/
Go RSL!!! Want to see you back in LA for the MLS CUP
mathis and russell are simply two of our best players, bud.
are you kidding me? mathis and russell have been HUGE for us. Mathis worked hard, was our best player in colorado….i’m done defending him, I love the guy, sometimes in the past not so much, but the guy wants to win and win bad! Robbie the same, he loves this team, fights hard, sticks up for his mates, and how about defensive stops? he has been a monster when asked to play back. Plus as far as defenders who can play good balls into the mid and strikers, Robbie is our best offensive defender. You know I wanted to criticize Kreis for not starting Williams, and part of me still wants to, but Dema got a goal. we got the result. how can you? he got it done, preserved players, and his controversial decision (Williams off-Dema on) produced our goal! Javier is not only our MVP but top consideration for our league. 17 assists 8 goals I believe?
Javi, I love you my friend!!!!!
RSL was the better team tonight and deserved the result.
Here’s to New York taking down Houston and hello Rio Tinto next week.
What a match!!!!
Mathis and Russel made this team, as in they did the work that made this team what it is. Mathis was a monster all first half, and tired as expected. Nice play by Russel, he totally domonated. I love Findley having an assist on the aggregate winner, perfect. I can’t wait until next sat. Go RBNY! Lets get another game at the Rio.
Bud fox:
Well Russell has proven to be one of the best defenders on this squad. Not only that, but he can move pretty much anywhere in the backline and midfield that he really is a great find for us.
Mathis struggled a bit last night with the pace of the match, but he has proven his worth lately and cant be bashed too much.
WAY TO GO RSL!
Please just attack every game. When we possess the ball and attack their isnt a team in the whole league that can stop us. After watching the columbus and chicago playoff games I honestly think we can beat both of them. I would rather have a home game against the pink cows, but if we have to beat the former champs so be it!
COME ON RSL!
Glory Glory Real Salt Lake…
Great performance from Morales after giving up the penalty. He responded with a goal and an assist. Lets hope that Juan Pablo Angel scores for the Bulls today then gets a second yellow card so that he would miss the next round of the playoffs against us.
Anyone notice that we have only lost one game since Willy Johnson got on the team? I think incredibly the additions of Russell, Johnson, and even Mathis have been key down the stretch. Hopefully, Cleetus is due for something for us soon-like how bout next week?
PS: Front Office, lets get a big watch party at the Stadium together if Houston wins OK?
Good game tonight by RSL. I thought they responded very well once giving up the penalty. RSL gave Chivas a fight, and withstood the furious attacks in the middle of the second half. RSL looked good. Besides the two goals, we let a couple of great chances go, such as Morales missing the chip over the keeper, but I thought Morales redeemed himself with the nice goal a little while later. Great game, and let’s hope we get one more game to go to this year at the Tinto!
Kreis is the man! Not only the best season/ team of our history but we also have a good chance of winning the cup. I have been a fan since the opening kickoff of the 2005 season and it feels so good to have a team to be really proud of. Praise Jason Kries and what he has done to this team and how quickly he has done it. He should be Coach of the year no doubt!!!!!
Looks like the big watch party will be at the stadium after all!!! The red bulls are going down!!!
THANK YOU NEW YORK!
See y’all on Sat!
Go ReAL!
Man, what a good weekend! NY clobbered Houston. So we get another home game aganst NY! Go RSL!
So NY just won. Anyone know what time the game will be next sunday?
I’m so excited!!!
Yes!!! Rio Tinto here we come!!!
Awesome. We get to play at home! When will tickets go on sale?
No need, I will see you all at Rio Tinto.
New York beats Houston 3-0
Rio Tinto here we come!!!
Wellthe Red Bulls did they pulled off the upset and in good fasion they handed The Dynamo only there 2nd loss at home we all know what that means THE WESTERN CONFRENCE FINALS COME HOME TO RIO TINTO STADIUM!!!! Come on REAL fans let’s sell this one out!!!!!
Saturday @630 i think
O lay, O lay, O lay, O lay!!!!!!!!!! whoa!!!! can’t wait til saturday!!!! Real is getting better each game. with javier in there we are unstoppable!!!
Jason Kreis is surely one of the top 3 coaches in the league this year. So how in the hell is he not one of the finalists for coach of the year?! This is HIS team. He selected the vast majority of the players, came up with the team is the star concept, despite some questionable moves clearly outcoached many opponents this year with his style and timely subs. His stamp is all over this team! Yet, the MLS announces their 3 finalists as Dominic Kinnear, Sigi Schmid, and Frank Yallop!?! Dom has done nothing special with the talent he has in Houston. Sigi has done a helluva job and surely deserves to be in the running. Yallop? Are you kidding me? Great job MLS. My top 3 coaches this Year? Schmid, Kreis, Hamlet.
bud fox, are you serious??? Mathis has been playing ok lately, he’s good at holding the ball, but can you really even try to criticize Russell? In colorado his header set Andy up for his shot, which led to the goal by Yura. In game 1 against Chivas, he threw the ball in to Javi, which let to the other goal by Yura. Both of those games he came in as a sub, but his influence was everything. Most recently in game 2 vs Chivas, he passed the ball to Javi again, who then crossed the ball in for Dema’s goal. He is a huge part of why we’re where we are. If you’ve failed to see his contribution, it’s either because A) you’re an idiot, or B) you know nothing about soccer. my vote is it’s probably both of those. shut it till you know what you’re talking about.
Wow rat, I’m really disappointed with the coach of the year choice too! To bring the team as far as Kreis has is unbelievable. He has done an excellent job and has progressed farther than any other coach in the MLS by far. What a waste of coach of the year….
Rat:
I totally agree with you about the leagues choices for Coach of the Year. I wonder who decides on the candidates. If it’s the guys from MLS Extra Time, Greg and Shep, then that would explain a lot of it. Shep’s an idiot who simply doesn’t like anything about RSL and he shouldn’t have a job anywhere in the soccer universe.
Anyway, now that I’ve got that off my chest…
The top 3 candidates should be Kreis and Schmid for what they’ve done all season, and Osorio for what he’s done with a team that’s constantly being depleted. Sure they still have Angel, but they lost Altidore mid-season, then Conway and Parke a few weeks ago and they still manage to make it to a conference championship game.
Too bad they’ll be playing at Rio Tinto, though! But still, give Osorio some credit for beating the Dynamo… in Houston.
Go RSL!!
News Flash, there is only one reason Mathis is playing so much- he is bait for the upcoming expansion draft, where we will lose at least 1 player from this great team. Kreis had no intentions of making the playoffs, he has said it numerous times since. I had to wonder why all of a sudden Cleetus was playing so much when we have quality reserves. For all the good that kreis has done, I cannot fathom this love affair with Cleetus. We are a worse team with him on the field- look no further than the evidence. What, like 12+ matches no goals or assists? Any forward on any team in the league, this is not good enough. He is a competent player, but definitely should not be playing over Findley, Espindola, Williams, even the Dr in my opinion. Notice the increase in offense with a real forward playing? Mathis is too slow for forward, as evidenced several times in the Chivas game. He is rarely marked as a forward, meanwhile opponents (like Chivas) commit several defenders to Yura- that must be uber frustrating for Yura. Literally, we have 1 forward on the field with Cleetus playing. He needs to go where all good forwards go when they get old- the attacking mid- but we have Javi and Williams, even Johnson. So buh bye Clint come offseason. We need to get another forward or hope Findley and Espindola or the Doc are able to develop as quickly as Yura has.
Enough about Clint- the game was tight, and all of us that traveled to LA really had a great time, We definitely could have used more support, so hopefully we’ll all be there on the 23rd.
Skinny, do you realize that we have not lost a game with Mathis in the starting 11? just a thought.
and LA was amazing! i cannot wait until saturday and then the 23rd!
Greetings Kicker, I am a head coach and my team went 8-0-0 this fall. Serious about Mathis. Not at all about Russell, just wanted to see what the range of responses would be so I popped in an extra random name to be honest. Russell and his play making has been on the edge of greatness for certain! Let me know what you think. Very best regards.
Cheers.
No team can stay on the field with RSL. Everything was slow to come together, now it is all in order. The championship is within sight. A few weak links must be cut out however the Cup will be won by RSL.
Start Williams! Who can say which Mathis will show up even though he has been much better recently. Playing tougher teams we need our toughest players right out of the box.
SKinny, Very well stated and thank you! Stary eyed Mathis fans?
Come on.
Kicker, I am putting $5,000.00 (at the least) on RSL to win it all! Don’t worry so much about what I said about Mathis!
Findley, Espindola, Williams, Dr, are all Lightning in a bottle compared with Mathis.
Aaron, who are you calling an, “idiot” was it not you who said
Movsisyan should be sent to the reserves a month ago?