RSL vs. Colorado (Open Cup) August 2, 2006

[Aerick]

Put an [R] in this threads title.

The match is over. 1-0 for Colorado.

Not quite sure what to think of this game, just so so, I guess. Nolly had a great game, though!

We also learned a great new "cheer" from the Colorado defense. It's called "Hey!", repeat randomly 20 or so times. It's used when something happens that you don't like, and you're hoping to influence the referees call - just as the Colorado defense did with success in the second half.

[Balanceut]

From the opening screeching rock guitar solo national anthem to the refusal of Ellinger to make rational substitutions, this game was horrid.

Both teams were uninspired and flat the entire game. Both goalies did play brilliantly. RSL had chances in the first half, but didn't convert. Came out the second half still flat and that worried me. Ellinger didn't light a fire under the team at all. Furthermore, CRapids were getting more chances that were more dangerous as the evening wore on. Eventually one was going to connect, and it did.

In the 60th minute I started yelling for Watson, the team needed a spark. Sitting behind the bench I was yelling, "It's Watson Time!" The crowd on the West side started a Watson chant. The CRapid goal came. Then the weird subs. We got Sequira and Worthen in for Williams and Cunningham? Take out two offensive players for one offensive and one defensive when trailing?? Wha??? How do you find a way to win when trailing, by putting in a defensive player??? NO!

Reminded me of putting Harris in 2 games ago when leading by a goal. How do you protect a one goal lead with 10 minutes left? Put in a fresh striker??? Wha??? NO!

Bad Ellinger <rubbing his nose in his mess>!!!

Then two more reasonable subs come in the 83rd minute (they stood up at the 80th, it always takes a few minutes, so when you decide to put someone in at the 80th minute you are likely going to lose about 30% of their possible contribution due to waiting for a break in action): Watson and Brown come in.. Brown? Is he still on the team? wha????

Whatever...

I'm convinced that Ellinger is clueless about substitutions. Two weeks to find a way to fire him and hire a new coach.

[soccerman]

Originally Posted by Balanceut

I'm convinced that Ellinger is clueless about substitutions. Two weeks to find a way to fire him and hire a new coach.

I'm way ahead of ya, but it ain't going to happen. I've almost come to terms with it.

[xlyte]

glad i didn't come then .... especially since going to the Weber try outs got me onto the team ^^

[Merk]

mp3 archive of the game. It's rather large, so I'm not including it in the regular podcast stream, just direct download or in-browser listening.

Speaking of the podcast:

US Open Cup - Colorado: Postgame

KALL 700's "Extra Time" postgame show. Listener phone calls and match analysis.

mp3 here (click to listen or right-click to download)

iTunes podcast feed here

generic podcatcher rss feed here

The Unofficial RSL Audio Archive

[Scholesy]

Originally Posted by xlyte

glad i didn't come then .... especially since going to the Weber try outs got me onto the team ^^

Congrats!

[the cup]

Originally Posted by Aerick

We also learned a great new "cheer" from the Colorado defense. It's called "Hey!", repeat randomly 20 or so times. It's used when something happens that you don't like, and you're hoping to influence the referees call - just as the Colorado defense did with success in the second half.

The "Hey" cheer was great.

I especially like when just as the cheer seems to be dying out it it only takes one or two more "Heys" and then it picks right pack up again.

[the cup]

Jay Nolly was on freaking fire last night!

He had one moment at the begining of the game when I muttered to myself, "Good Hell Jay, let's get it together."

But after that he made 2 or 3 amazing saves to keep us in the game while the rest of the team gave up.

[montgjules]

Originally Posted by Scholesy

Congrats!

Yes, congrats!

And Scholesy, the Rapids fans enjoyed your broadcast. I went to the BS thread about the game to hear some talk and people thought you were great!

p.s. I agree... What was that one really funny thing near the beginning? classic..

[rabble-rabble]

I got a call from work in the early evening and had a downed system I had to assist for a while, and just made the game right at kickoff. I stayed on the west side away from the drums so I could hear the phone if the site had to call me back. Kind of fun to listen to the 2 support groups from a distance. Somewhat easy to hear both of them since the crowd was smaller, but I think we really need more voices in both groups.

I think the team made a good effort in the first half, dominating the play, but they just couldn’t finish. The heavy schedule seemed to take its toll in the second half as the guys just got tired. The Colorado goal came from a mistake where we double covered Mathis and left the trailing player completely untouched. Nice back heel pass by Cletus set his teammate up for a very easy finish. The goal really seemed to take the remaining wind out of our sails and sparked the Rapids too and after that Jay had his hands full and deservedly was named MOTM on the radio making several nice saves to keep us in the game.

Probably should have been some subs out there a bit earlier given the team needed some fresh legs out there. I was beginning to wonder if John was saving subs for overtime. Pretty much the whole crowd joined in when the support groups started calling for Jamie Watson.

Colorado seems to have our number. Haven’t beaten them since the home opener, despite a couple of home games (last night’s game and last home game last year come to mind) where we outplayed them for large parts of the game but were outscored.

Schedule has just been brutal lately. The team played 2 games each week the last 4 weeks in a row, but finally catches a break with the All-Star game being on Saturday. But then they have a 2-game week in 3 of the next 4 weeks. By Labor Day weekend, they will have had 2-game weeks in 7 out of 9 weeks.