RSL Got a long way to go

FuzzyForeigner · 04-23-2005, 07:40 PM

I just hope i dont get decked for this thread but watching the FCD-RSL game i realized even further that something needs to be done if RSL is to do well

It seems like a rusty machine that does not have any connection with its own limbs.
Poor choice by Pierce on penalty
Ruiz falls more than anyone else i know (even more than my granny)

and i invite you to post any other observations about the game...

I know there are plenty of others but i dont feel like posting ALL of them.

Rover · 04-23-2005, 08:01 PM

We're an expansion team, and today we played like it. No organization and no flow against a team that will punish you for it.

When we run into one of the top MLS teams, we will learn all about the areas we need to improve. We did in LA, and we will in Dallas.

There will be days like this, so keep it positive and get ready to sell out RES on the 30th.

Worst thing about this game was the Pope red card. He's critical to organizing the defense, so that's a big hit.

San Jose isn't in the same class as FCD or LA. We'll make adjustments and be ready for the Quakes.

Jim Umber · 04-24-2005, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover

We're an expansion team, and today we played like it. No organization and no flow against a team that will punish you for it.

When we run into one of the top MLS teams, we will learn all about the areas we need to improve. We did in LA, and we will in Dallas.

There will be days like this, so keep it positive and get ready to sell out RES on the 30th.

Worst thing about this game was the Pope red card. He's critical to organizing the defense, so that's a big hit.

San Jose isn't in the same class as FCD or LA. We'll make adjustments and be ready for the Quakes.

I agree with all that, especially the part about Pope. And most especially as the red card was totally unwarranted.

But now we have to deal with it. It's going to be tough, but we'll have to do it when he's called up for National Duty, so we better figure it out now.

FuzzyForeigner · 04-24-2005, 09:33 AM

im not getting down on RSL and im aware of hard times ahead...

I started this thread simply to start a little discussion on what parts of RSL's game could improve thats all.

In all honesty im the kind of person that believes that improvement comes through criticism. And a faithful fan that loves his team will also criticize his own team when it does not play exactly that well.

I surel;y gonna try with a lil help from Montana to pack RES! lol we are bringing 8 peeps to E32 i have bought tickets and they are in row 14. Is that good seating btw?

Jim Umber · 04-24-2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzyForeigner

we are bringing 8 peeps to E32 i have bought tickets and they are in row 14. Is that good seating btw?

Not if you're going to SIT! But I expect you'll be waving flags and joining in the general vocal encouragement. For that matter, its actually a General Admission section, the seat numbers are only there to make sure they don't over sell the section. I didn't sit down once for the home opener and I didn't look for my seat assignment, though I probably wasn't very far from it, anyway.

Rover · 04-24-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzyForeigner

im not getting down on RSL and im aware of hard times ahead...

I started this thread simply to start a little discussion on what parts of RSL's game could improve thats all.

In all honesty im the kind of person that believes that improvement comes through criticism. And a faithful fan that loves his team will also criticize his own team when it does not play exactly that well.

I surel;y gonna try with a lil help from Montana to pack RES! lol we are bringing 8 peeps to E32 i have bought tickets and they are in row 14. Is that good seating btw?

Fair enough.

Here's some criticism based on what we've seen so far:

1. Left side defense. A continuing problem. We've moved Akwari and Behncke out, and then Rojas is exposed repeatedly by FCD. I lost track of the number of times he was not only beaten but turned around by a Dallas attacking player. I'd like to see Akwari on that wing--he's not ready for center back (as we saw in LA), but he's got the skills to handle the corner.

2. Touch in offensive zone. Even Jason Kreis has had trouble with first touches, often losing the ball to defenders before he can set up a shot (and I'm ready to start raising funds for his statue in front of Checketts Stadium, so it's tough for me to say anything bad about him). Selolwane was even worse. My daughter distracted herself from the pain of watching the game by counting the number of times Dipsy received a ball and then lost in to a Dallas player. She lost count after 20. Not good. No wonder we didn't' get shots on goal.

3. Midfield shape. We lack cohesion in the midfield so we have trouble with possession. This is the hardest thing to fix since team chemistry only comes from minutes played at full game speed. Mathis is a great player but is better as a wild card, not an organizer. Everybody's working hard, but not yet working smart. We need to be able to hold possession in this league, not just send the ball up the field Route-One-Style.

4. Goalkeeper Attitude. This is actually getting better--DJ had some choice words for defenders at times. We need more of that. He needs to take control back there--be a dominating presence. That takes time and confidence, and it's not there yet. I've been saying all along that Countess will be a solid keeper for us, and I still think so. Time for DJ to step it up a bit and take control.

That's for starters.

Jim Umber · 04-24-2005, 02:41 PM

Very well put. I agree with that assessment. I really do think they are working hard! ...but not smart. I see some really good things going on between Kreis and Mathis, and Selowane does have his moments. I really think the midfield is the real key. That's where the attacks should be comming from and instead they are comming from the back via the long kick. Not pretty, and not effective.

The really interesting thing is that there are times when they actually do control the ball in midfield and set up the attacks correctly. Notably, after Eddie Pope got ejected, all of a sudden everyone was controlling the ball and keeping possesion, and passing...well better. There are moments of brilliance! I know that it is there, it just needs to come out and play, a little more often.

Lucky13 · 04-24-2005, 04:13 PM

I agree with Rover as well. One thing I might add also concerns the midfield. On those occasions that we are able to gain possession up front, we generally have little, if any, presence in the box and virtually no backup support from the midfield. No wonder we can't get the ball to the goal. Where is everyone?
I don't know if it's conditioning, desire, cohesion, or even talent (I doubt it), but I do agree with Clint's post game assessment. It's time.

That said (and no excuses), we have started our season under some pretty difficult circumstances. Game 1 was arguably an impossible situation, simply survival mode (and we survived). Our next three games have matched us against two of the top teams in the league. And the other game brought us a fantastic win. I'm not saying we shouldn't have to play in adverse weather or that we should expect to lose to top tier teams. What I am saying is that, as a new club, it's a lot easier to get off to a great start when circumstances are more favorable rather than more difficult. We'll have those favorable stretches, and hopefully use them to get our footing. Meanwhile, we're learning a lot about what we need and where we need it. That could make a real difference later in the season.

At this point, I believe it's very important that we keep things positive and continue help the club, by showing our undaunted support to our players, and by not letting a negative attitude infect either the team or the more casual fan base. Either of which may have a difficult time recovering.

On that positive note, I would imagine D.J. could be getting pretty frustrated and discouraged at this point. I, for one, have been very impressed by his play overall. He's quick and intelligent, and with that, has come up big quite a few times already. He's done well considering how many times he's been left exposed (nobody's going to stop all those open shots). I'm particularly pleased to see him taking charge in the back. Between that and understanding better when to come off his line, I'm looking forward to many years of D.J. being a solid anchor for a very competitive RSL. Experience will only make him better.
Kreis and Mathis also seem frustrated. And they should be, both for reasons stated above and also because far too many of their shots are missing the frame. I hope that they will combine this with their leadership to help focus this team rather than causing conflict. As they do, chemistry is going to improve, moral will stay high, and ReAL will pull together to play to their potential.

We have had so many GREAT days over the last 10 months, with every Saturday this month included. Someone else said it here first: We have a Major League Soccer team in Salt Lake. Fantastic. Amazing. WOW!

Wait, did I say "one thing I might add"?

Oh well, it's all the same thing.

Rover · 04-24-2005, 04:40 PM

Well said Jim and Lucky.

dasoccerplayafosho · 04-24-2005, 05:45 PM

I don't think that this is the first time Real showed that they needed to improve and put things together, I just think it's the first time that it really hurt them. We had some things to work on the first 3 games, but no team can exploit that as well as FC Dallas. That's what good teams do, find your weakness and murder you there.

We have come a long way for the time we've been together though