RSL Earns Rare Road Point

Stucki · 10-09-2005, 10:21 AM

Real Salt Lake started the game with better defensive organization and intensity than seen in recent games, but still gave up numerous early chances to the San Jose offensive juggernaut. Fortunately for RSL, keeper Jay Nolly and the improved defensive effort kept San Jose off the board for the first half hour.

The game changed in the 39th minute on a fluke goal by Dwayne De Rosario. In a sequence symbolic of RSL’s season, De Rosario’s attempted cut back to Ronald Cerritos in the box deflected off RSL’s Brian Dunseth and Nolly bouncing back to De Rosario’s left foot creating the goal opportunity.

In the 44th minute, RSL’s late half woes continued when Julian Nash scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Cerritos and De Rosario. The second goal seemed to deflate RSL, as they played without the passion seen early in the game.

The momentum of the game completely shifted in RSL’s favor in the 64th minute. Kevin Novak carried the ball down the left flank and attempted a cross into the box directed at Jamie Watson, who had just come on for Clint Mathis. The cross was too high for either Watson or the San Jose defenders to put a head on the ball, but the flight of the ball carried it past San Jose keeper Pat Onstad and just inside the far post for Novak’s first goal of his career.

Novak’s goal and Ellinger’s 64th minute substitutions Watson and Tiger Fitzpatrick created new life for RSL who took advantage of San Jose’s bunker ball mentality and started controlling possession for the last half hour of the game. The possession advantage paid off in the 73rd minute when a through ball by Fitzpatrick found a streaking Watson down the left flank. Watson cut the ball back to his left foot and fired a perfect cross to the far post where Andy Williams finished the volley for the equalizer. The assist was the first of Watson’s career, and only Fitzpatrick’s second. Williams seemed to injure himself on the finish, but was able to finish the game.

RSL continued pushing forward looking for their first road win, but San Jose was able to defend their way to the draw, clinching the Supporter’s Shield and only the second home unbeaten record in league history.

In a side note, Nik Besagno made a cameo appearance, his first time on the pitch with the senior side in many games.

SokkerNut · 10-09-2005, 10:31 AM

Very nice write-up.

prk166 · 10-09-2005, 12:44 PM

San Jose offensive juggernaut? I think you're buttering things up too much for RSL considering who wasn't playing for San JOse last night. We did better than usual defensively but we're talking about a team that's averaged giving up over a goal and half per game during the last 10-12 games.

Ellinger.....
*grumble*
*grumble*

BetterThanChivas · 10-09-2005, 03:19 PM

We now have two points on the road!!!:jawdrop:

Let's have a party!

rslfutbolfan · 10-09-2005, 05:05 PM

Way to go Kevin, Tiger and Jamie! Maybe we should just start our reserve team on Wednesday night! You guys ROCK! :signrocko

Jim Umber · 10-11-2005, 08:26 AM

It's an excellent write up, Stucki. I appreciate it, since I never got to see the game.

I've always liked Jamie and Tiger. Kevin sounds like he is comming right along, too. I'm sure we all wanted a win, but a tie is still better than we have been used to. It sounds like the subs pulled us out of the doldrums and really got things going! Super Sub (and company) strikes again! 🕺 :dancing: