How many points from the next six July matches does Ellinger need?

[GoReal]

Yes we do have the same amount of wins as last year and ties. But the good thing is that of the 10 losses this season 8 of them were by one goal. I can also think of three of those losses we were up 1-0(Dallas, Houston, Chicago) and the Chivas tie that we didn't get the two other points and then no points for those three road games.

Even though I am usually a half-empty glass kind of guy, I will think positive. It didn't work too well against Dallas and Chivas, but it did against DC. Also the team goal for this home stand was 7 pts and they would have reached it had it not been for the two stoppage time goals in the first two games of the three game homestand.

Anyway it's fun to talk about my MLS soccer team. Hopefully there will be one to call my own for years to come.

GOReAL!!!!!!!

[soccerman]

Originally Posted by Aerick

Yeah, it's called "optimism" and it only tastes bitter to pessimists who call themselves "realists". And this after determining that the kool-aid container is half empty.

Hey Aerick Why don't you go stick a fork in the outlet again. It was just bad breaks all those other times you started your hair on fire, but I'm optimistic that this time it will be just super.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by soccerman

Hey Aerick Why don't you go stick a fork in the outlet again. It was just bad breaks all those other times you started your hair on fire, but I'm optimistic that this time it will be just super.

That was about the worst attempt at a correlative situation that I've ever seen.

Not sure how "starting my hair on fire" is akin to watching my MLS team play a soccer match. If that's how you feel it is after watching RSL lose, I can't imagine why you'd ever be a fan after the first loss. Watching them lose isn't fun - I'll admit, but I'd rather watch them lose than not watch them at all. I'd never have any fun sticking a fork in an outlet for any reason - and I'd doubt that there would be any pleasure in doing so even if my hair didn't catch on fire.

I think we've caught a glimpse into the tortured life of soccerman.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by Aerick

Isn't that the mantra of MLS though? Teams coming out of nowhere and going on a run? Isn't that more of the rule than the exception in the MLS? That's the impression I'm under, and perhaps it's what drives this "success is just around the corner" mentality in many people.

After over 1 1/2 seasons, I'm still waiting for it to happen to RSL...

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by GoReal

Anyway it's fun to talk about my MLS soccer team. Hopefully there will be one to call my own for years to come.

Amen GoReal. Amen. All my tough talk and criticism is simply tough love. I would rather have a team to complain about than none at all.

I will ever be grateful to Uncle Dave for bringing MLS to Utah.

[Merrill]

Originally Posted by GoReal

Yes we do have the same amount of wins as last year and ties. But the good thing is that of the 10 losses this season 8 of them were by one goal.

I have to take a pot shot at this logic. People keep repeating this this year. We only lost by 1 point, so we're ever so close.

That crap might hold water in Basketball, or Football, where points come easy. But this is soccer. I'd be willing to wager money that more than 50% of ALL games are lost by only 1 point. Crap, half the time one point is all you see for an entire game.

Losing by one point doesn't mean much in soccer at all.

[El Chalan]

I appreciate your point about the nature of soccer and how a loss by one goal is more significant in Soccer than in other sports. The part of the "we are better because we only lose by one goal" argument that is appealing to me is that we used to lose by more than one. While it is true that in soccer losing by one goal could mean that the game wasn't really that close, I think that what makes sense to me about the argument is that in comparison to last year the goal margin in our loses is being reduced. And that, to me, seems to say that we are improving.

[Jim Umber]

Besides, last year we watched as the players went through the motions of playing a soccer game. This year, they seem to actually want to be there and they seem to be trying to win (sometimes). Oh, they still have their off moments (way to many of them), but most games they come out to play soccer.

Last year they stunk. This year they are in the game, but they lose. Next year, they will actually win. I see a rosey future for the team. Of course, it helps to be wearing these special glasses (kind of a redish tint to them...).

So the team is growing up (I like to think). And the crowd is growing up (did you hear them on Saturday?). Now, if we can just find a home (which I think is comming) we'll be all set for a long stretch of great soccer.

It's just around the corner.

[GoReal]

Originally Posted by Merrill

I have to take a pot shot at this logic. People keep repeating this this year. We only lost by 1 point, so we're ever so close.

That crap might hold water in Basketball, or Football, where points come easy. But this is soccer. I'd be willing to wager money that more than 50% of ALL games are lost by only 1 point. Crap, half the time one point is all you see for an entire game.

Losing by one point doesn't mean much in soccer at all.

You make a good point, but how I remember losing to DC 5-1 on the road and losing to San Jose 3-0 and giving up those goals within the first 20 min. We also lost to Chicago at home 3-0. The NE game on the road was another blowout. I don't remember them all and I don't know how often we got beat up nor do I have the time to try and find the "scores" from last year.

So far this year the opening game against Chivas was the only loss that was completely ugly. No the team has not looked good in all their losses, but at least they were in the game for the most part. All I know is that the team is playing better than last year. We are still losing more games than we want to admit. We have the same amount of points as last year with 12 games to go and with that simplistic information I am going to try and be positive.

And I hope that it is still our team come next year.

[prk166]

Another win or two on the road will make for a respectible road record for the MLS. The problem RSL has right now is it needs to learn how to win at home more often. Right now that's the main difference between it being in 5th and being in 2nd.