RSL v. SJ Match Questions

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Jim Umber

I concur. With the exceptions that you noted, I don't fault the defense. DJ Countess had some amazing saves. For most of the game, RSL was obviously the better team.

At the end, though, when it seemed we had the victory in our hands, it all fell apart. I don't know if they ran out of steam, or if they just got into the defensive mode (I think it was probably both), but all of a sudden SJ was controlling the ball and attacking OUR goal, instead of the other way around. In my experience that is always the death knell for a team, and so it was last night. The problem is that the other team is always attacking your goal. If you let them do that long enough, it's going to go in! Then, once it does, you can't get out of the defensive mode and back to the offensive mode to get the lead back.

Bottom line: RSL could have won that game. RSL should have won that game. RSL didn't win that game. Oh pooh! 😕

Thanks. Great analysis. The drop in energy was not obvious to me from watching the game via DirectKick, so I appreciate comments from those who were at the game.

And you're right--bunkering or even just going defensive is usually a sign of desperation. I've used it as a coach as well, but it wasn't because my team was in a position of strength. It was such a disappointment to lose the tie, and it was clear watching the replays that the absence of Pope and his command of the air cost us the game.

But a point is still a point, and we have to feel positive going into next week's game at the HDC.

[clarette]

We were totally channeling Bunker Bob in the second half, which was unfortunate, since San Jose looked like they were getting tired at the end of the first. We should have run them positively ragged in the second, but oh well...

And yes, yes the referee was a cracksmoker. In fact, he just might be Brian Hall's dealer.

[Rover]

Here's what Alejandro Moreno had to say about what it's like to play in RES:

"This is a difficult place to play. The crowd is very much into it, the field isn't the very best surface in the world, so we're happy to get out of here with a point."

Ray Hudson, calling the game for the Quakes, said the same thing, just using more words and at twice the volume. The guy is the working definition of a homer, but he had high praise for the RSL crowd.

The reputation of RSL supporters continues to grow. Bravo Zulu to everyone in Salt Lake who has been a part of it.

[AreliusII]

Hudson is the master of hyperbole…

[Aero]

I haven't really heard anyone mention this at all here, but I heard talk that what fired Mathis up so much at the end was because their player spit on Rusty. Anyone see this or know if it is true?

[bordelais7]

I haven't really heard anyone mention this at all here, but I heard talk that what fired Mathis up so much at the end was because their player spit on Rusty. Anyone see this or know if it is true?

Aha! I thought that's what I saw on the replay at the stadium, too! Is there any way to get the video or get a replay on that? I couldn't really tell if he was actually spitting, or if it was sweat flying around, but he definitely made a motion like he was spitting...

[Aero]

My wife swears she saw him spit on him. She even thinks he did it twice. I wasn't watching Rusty at that point, I was watching the ref, so I didn't see it. I did wonder what made Clint fly off the handle like he did though and spitting on one of his teammates would certainly cause a reaction like that.

[AreliusII]

I’m not convinced. I watched the match after getting home and I didn’t see anything that resembled spitting. Of course, Cleetus could have thought he did, but that is another matter…

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by AreliusII

I’m not convinced. I watched the match after getting home and I didn’t see anything that resembled spitting. Of course, Cleetus could have thought he did, but that is another matter…

I did not see any spitting but what I did see could have fired Mathis up.
I had a similar angle to Mathis.
What I saw was Rusty and the other guy go down. Rusty stayed down while the other player bolted right up from the ground and stood over Rusty and was clearly taunting (my lip reading is bad but the "F" word was clearly said)and verbally abusing Rusty. That type of taunting from the Smurf is probably what fired up Mathis. I know when I saw him do it... My adrenaline started pumping abit!
Whatever happened, spitting or just verbal abuse, standing over a clearly injured player and taunting him like that is extremely unprofessional and should have warranted at least a yellow card.

[Aero]

I'm going to have to find some time to watch this myself. Either way, it sounds like maybe Clint was justified in doing what he did. I always like a player willing to stand up for his teammates.