Wednesday, May 16, 2007

MLS Week 6 Summary

RSL Game Summary:
What a great way to play on ESPN2! Despite drawing 1-1 on a pair of own goals, (first 1-1, two own goal draw in MLS history) RSL clearly dominated the game. Bouna Coundoul played great for Colorado, and if it weren't for him, RSL would've won the game handily. Adu created many chances for RSL and deserves to be commended. Also, it was very sweet to see that jerk Pablo Mastroeni score a goal for RSL....

rslnerd's Man of the Match: Bouna Coundoul (COL)
JUFC's Man of the Match: Freddy Adu (RSL)

Goal Summary

Real Salt Lake
Own Goal (Mastroeni) 15

Colorado cRapids
Own Goal (Stewart) 4

Card Summary

Real Salt Lake
No Cards Given

Colorado cRapids
No Cards Given

Around the MLS:

(0-2-4/4/6 West) Salt Lake 1 : 1 Colorado (3-2-2/11/1 West)
(3-2-1/10/4 East) Chicago 1 : 3 Toronto (1-4-0/3/7 East)
(2-3-1/7/3 West) Chivas USA 1 : 1 Columbus (1-1-4/7/5 East)
(3-3-1/10/2 West) Dallas 2 : 1 Kansas City (4-2-0/12/2 East)
(4-1-2/14/1 East) New England 3 : 2 Los Angeles (1-2-1/4/5 West)
(3-2-2/11/1 West) Colorado 1 : 0 New York (3-1-2/11/3 East)

Didn't Play: Houston (2-3-1/7/4 West); DC United (1-3-1/4/6 East)

Playoff Picture:
Top Two East: New England, Kansas City
Top Two West: Colorado, Dallas
Four "Wild Card": New York, Chicago, Chivas USA, Houston

MLS Performance Factors:

1. New England - 2001002
2. Kansas City - 2000835
3. New York - 1834001
4. Chicago - 1666501
5. Colorado - 1571430
6. Dallas - 1428430
7. Houston - 1400201
8. Chivas USA - 1167001
9. Columbus - 1166667
10. Los Angeles - 1000002
11. DC United - 799401
12. Real Salt Lake - 665668
13. Toronto - 598401

rslnerd's Power Rankings

1. New England
2. Kansas City
3. New York
4. Chicago
5. Houston
6. Colorado
7. Chivas USA
8. Columbus
9. Dallas
10. Los Angeles
11. DC United
12. Real Salt Lake
13. Toronto

MLS Goal Leaders:
Taylor Twellman (NE) - 6
Chris Rolfe (CHI) - 4
Roberto Brown (COL) - 3
Kenny Cooper (DAL) - 3
Jeff Cunningham (RSL) - 3
Andy Dorman (NE) - 3
Maykel Galindo (CHV) - 3
Eddie Johnson (KC) - 3
Clint Mathis (NY) - 3
Ante Razov (CHV) - 3

Next for RSL:

at Dallas, 5/20/07, Pizza Hut Park, Frisco TX, 5:00 PM MST

RSL face off again with the team whom they came so close to defeating in the home opener, Ruiz scoring for Dallas in the 94+', RSL drawing in a heartbreaker.

Next Week's Games

5/16
HOU @ TOR

5/17
DAL @ CHI

5/19
DC @ TOR
CLB @ NY
NE @ HOU
KC @ COL

5/20
LA @ CHV
RSL @ DAL

RSL Schedule

4/7 vs. Dallas T 2-2 (0-0-1/1/T3 West)

4/14 vs. Columbus T 0-0 (0-0-2/2/5 West)

4/21 @ Chivas USA L 0-4 (0-1-2/2/5 West)

4/30 vs. Colorado L 0-2 (0-2-2/2/5 West)

5/5 vs. New York T 3-3 (0-2-3/3/6 West)

5/10 @ Colorado T 1-1 (0-2-4/4/6 West)

5/20 @ Dallas

5/27 @ Chicago

6/2 @ New England

6/14 vs. Dallas

6/17 @ Los Angeles

6/23 vs. DC United

7/4 vs. Toronto

7/7 @ Columbus

7/14 @ Kansas City

7/28 vs. New England

8/4 vs. Houston

8/18 vs. Chicago

8/26 @ Chivas USA

8/29 vs. Kansas City

9/1 @ Los Angeles

9/8 @ Houston

9/15 @ Toronto

9/19 vs. Los Angeles

9/22 vs. Colorado

9/26 @ D.C. United

9/29 @ New York

10/6 vs. Chivas USA

10/13 vs. Houston

10/20 @ Colorado


Email me at rslnerd@gmail.com

Thursday, May 10, 2007

MLS Week 5 Summary

RSL Game Summary:
Down 3-1 in the 89th minute, and Carey Talley gets elbowed in the face for a PK. It's almost impossible for Jeff Cunningham to miss a PK, and sure enough, it was a pretty nice shot. 3-2. We're still gonna lose, but only by a goal to the MLS' top team, scoring their first goals allowed of the season? Good show. But wait! What a ball to Brown from Adu! Brown turns around, and just shoots. It bounces off the crossbar and in! RSL TIE! RSL TIE! RSL TIE! Check out my recent post at http://rslnerd.blogspot.com/2007/05/new-york-real-salt-lake-top-5-games.html to see my other feelings about the game.

RSL Game Report:

Goal Summary

Red Bull New York
Richards (Mathis) 12'
Mathis (van den Bergh) 28'
Mathis (Kovalenko, Reyna) 83'

Real Salt Lake
Klein (unassisted) 61'
Cunningham (penalty kick) 90'
C. Brown (Adu) 92+'

Card Summary

Red Bull New York
Yellow - Freeman (63')

Real Salt Lake
Yellow - Cunningham (66')
Yellow - Pope (68')

Around the MLS:
Format : (Wins-Losses-Draws/Points/Standing) Away Team Away Team Score : Home Team Score Home Team (Wins-Losses-Draws/Points/Standing)

(3-1-2/11/2 East) New England 1 : 1 D.C. United (1-3-1/4/6 East)
(1-1-3/6/5 East) Columbus 0 : 1 Kansas City (4-1-0/12/1 East)
(3-0-2/11/3 East) New York 3 : 3 Salt Lake (0-2-3/3/6 West)
(2-2-1/7/1 West) Houston 3 : 1 Colorado (2-2-1/7/2 West)
(2-3-0/6/4 West) Chivas USA 1 : 2 D.C. United (1-3-1/4/6 East)
(3-1-1/10/4 East) Chicago 1 : 3 New England (3-1-2/11/2 East)

Didn't Play: Dallas (2-3-1/7/3 West); Los Angeles (1-1-1/4/5 West); Toronto (0-4-0/0/7 East)

Playoff Picture:

Top Two East: Kansas City, New England
Top Two West: Houston, Colorado
Four "Wild Card": New York, Chicago, Dallas, Chivas USA

MLS Performance Factors:

1. Kansas City - 2401202
2. New York - 2201002
3. Chicago - 2000201
4. New England - 1834335
5. Houston - 1400201
6. Colorado - 1399801
7. Los Angeles - 1333668
8. Chivas USA - 1200401
9. Columbus - 1200001
10. Dallas - 1166335
11. DC United - 799401
12. Real Salt Lake - 598801
13. Toronto - ( -2500)

rslnerd's Power Rankings

1. Kansas City
2. New York
3. New England
4. Chicago
5. Houston
6. Los Angeles
7. Colorado
8. Chivas USA
9. Columbus
10. D.C. United
11. Real Salt Lake
12. Dallas
13. Toronto

MLS Goal Leaders:

Taylor Twellman (NE) - 4
Roberto Brown (COL) - 3
Jeff Cunningham (RSL) - 3
Andy Dorman (NE) - 3
Maykel Galindo (CHV) - 3
Eddie Johnson (KC) - 3
Clint Mathis (NY) - 3
Chris Rolfe (CHI) - 3

MLS Points Leaders: (goals, assists)

Chris Rolfe (CHI) - 9 (3, 3)
Taylor Twellman (NE) - 8 (4, 0)
Maykel Galindo (CHV) - 8 (3, 2)
Eddie Johnson (KC) - 8 (3, 2)
Clint Mathis (NY) - 7 (3, 1)
Steve Ralston (NE) - 7 (1, 5)

Next For RSL:

at Colorado, 5/10/07, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City CO, 7:00 PM MST, ESPN2

RSL face off with their rivals for the second time this season, hoping that Abbey Okulaja won't show up in a yellow jersey.

Next Week's Games

5/10
RSL @ COL

5/12
CHI @ TOR
CHV @ CLB
DAL @ KC
NE @ LA

5/13
COL @ NY

RSL Schedule:

4/7 vs. Dallas T 2-2 (0-0-1/1/T3 West)
4/14 vs. Columbus T 0-0 (0-0-2/2/5 West)
4/21 @ Chivas USA L 0-4 (0-1-2/2/5 West)
4/30 vs. Colorado L 0-2 (0-2-2/2/5 West)
5/5 vs. New York T 3-3 (0-2-3/3/6 West)
5/10 @ Colorado
5/20 @ Dallas
5/27 @ Chicago
6/2 @ New England
6/14 vs. Dallas
6/17 @ Los Angeles
6/23 vs. DC United
7/4 vs. Toronto
7/7 @ Columbus
7/14 @ Kansas City
7/28 vs. New England
8/4 vs. Houston
8/18 vs. Chicago
8/26 @ Chivas USA
8/29 vs. Kansas City
9/1 @ Los Angeles
9/8 @ Houston
9/15 @ Toronto
9/19 vs. Los Angeles
9/22 vs. Colorado
9/26 @ D.C. United
9/29 @ New York
10/6 vs. Chivas USA
10/13 vs. Houston
10/20 @ Colorado

Email me at rslnerd@gmail.com

Monday, May 7, 2007

Funny Referee Video

I saw this, and as a referee, laughed so hard that I had to post it:

Saturday, May 5, 2007

RSL History Trivia

Researching for my previous post got me thinking about the "illustrious" history of my favorite MLS team. Here's a small quiz to get you thinking too.

1. Who is the only player who started both the franchise-opener against the MetroStars AND the latest 3-3 thriller with New York for RSL?

A. Andy Williams
B. Eddie Pope
C. Jason Kreis
D. Clint Mathis

2. Who scored the first Game-Winning Goal in RSL history?

A. Brian Kamler
B. Jason Kreis
C. Mehdi Ballouchy
D. Brian Dunseth

3. Who was RSL's first-ever US Open Cup opponent?

A. Colorado cRapids
B. Minnesota Thunder
C. Kansas City Wizards
D. Virginia Beach Mariners

4. Who was RSL's opponent in RSL's first-ever US Open Cup win?

A. Colorado cRapids
B. Minnesota Thunder
C. Kansas City Wizards
D. Virginia Beach Mariners

5. Who scored the game-winning goal in this game?

A. Jason Kreis
B. Mehdi Ballouchy
C. Andy Williams
D. Atiba Harris

6. Who was the opposing goalkeeper in RSL's largest win of 2005, 3 : 0?

A. Dario Sala
B. Tony Meola
C. Nick Rimando
D. Scott Garlick

7. As of 5/5/07, who has the most goals all-time for RSL in Open Cup?

A. Jason Kreis
B. Jamie Watson
C. Jeff Cunningham
D. Andy Williams

8. Who set the RSL record for most goals given up in a game, with 6?

A. Nick Rimando
B. Jay Nolly
C. Scott Garlick
D. D.J. Countess

9. Who scored the game winner in RSL's historic match against European powerhouse Real Madrid on August 12, 2006?

A. Jeff Cunningham
B. Raúl
C. Jason Kreis
D. Ruud van Nistelrooy

10. Which RSL striker was booed by fans after posing a dirty tackle and getting sent off in that historic friendly?

A. Atiba Harris
B. Jeff Cunningham
C. Jason Kreis
D. Freddy Adu

Answers below












Answers: In parentheses is the number of points one receives for choosing that answer.

1. Who is the only player who started both the franchise-opener against the MetroStars AND the latest 3-3 thriller with New York for RSL?

A. Andy Williams (0) - Started against MetroStars, but is currently injured and could not play against New York.
B. Eddie Pope (3) - Entirely correct.
C. Jason Kreis (-5) - You Idiot! You know nothing if you don't know that he retired to become RSL's coach on Thursday.
D. Clint Mathis (1) - If I hadn't put in that "for RSL" clause at the end, you would be right, because Mathis did start, just for New York.

2. Who scored the first Game-Winning Goal in RSL history?

A. Brian Kamler (0) - Wrong Brian!
B. Jason Kreis (1) - Close, but he simple scored the first goal in history, not the first GWG.
C. Mehdi Ballouchy (-5) - You don't know your history if you don't know that RSL did not have this player until 2006.
D. Brian Dunseth (3) - Good Job! His 81st minute strike vs. Colorado in the Home Opener was RSL's first game-winner.

3. Who was RSL's first-ever US Open Cup opponent?

A. Colorado cRapids (0) - RSL lost to them once, in 2006, 1-0, but this was most certainly not the first Open Cup Game.
B. Minnesota Thunder (4) - A harder question deserves more points. Now, do you remember who won?
C. Kansas City Wizards (-1) - No, no, no, RSL didn't play these guys in the open cup until 2007. (And that was actually an Open Cup qualifier)
D. Virginia Beach Mariners (1) - This was a significant Open Cup game, but not the first!

4. Who was RSL's opponent in RSL's first-ever US Open Cup win?

A. Colorado cRapids (0) - No, the one time RSL played them in Open Cup, they lost. (Plus, they already had an Open Cup win under their belt.
B. Minnesota Thunder (1) - This was a good game, but RSL lost in extra time 6-4.
C. Kansas City Wizards (0) - Nope, this happened to be RSL's second Open Cup win.
D. Virginia Beach Mariners (4) - Yup, and what a game against the USL D1 team! Extra time game winner! (Great shot by [Answer to next question]!)

5. Who scored the game-winning goal in this game?

A. Jason Kreis (0) - Nope.
B. Mehdi Ballouchy (1) - Assisted the goal!
C. Andy Williams (4) - Brilliant Strike from Williams in Extra Time!
D. Atiba Harris (0) - Nope

6. Who was the opposing goalkeeper in RSL's largest win of 2005, 3 : 0?

A. Dario Sala (0) - Wasn't the keeper yet for Dallas!
B. Tony Meola (-1) - Wrong team
C. Nick Rimando (-1) - Wrong team
D. Scott Garlick (5) - Tough question! The future RSL keeper gave up three goals to Dunseth, Cila, and Mathis in this game. (The third was BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!)

7. As of 5/5/07, who has the most goals all-time for RSL in Open Cup?

A. Jason Kreis (4) - Not so hard, he had a hat trick against Minnesota in '05. 3 goals total.
B. Jamie Watson (0) - Just one goal, against Minnesota
C. Jeff Cunningham (1) - Two goals, two PKs against Virginia Beach and Kansas City.
D. Andy Williams (2) - Probably the MVP of RSL's Open Cup games, he has scored an extra time game winner in both of RSL's Open Cup wins.

8. Who set the RSL record for most goals given up in a game, with 6?

A. Nick Rimando (-1) - Wasn't with the team at the time.
B. Jay Nolly (4) - Famously gave up 6 goals to the Red Bulls in 2006, filling in during a Scott Garlick suspension.
C. Scott Garlick (1) - Suspended for the game, replaced by correct answer, Jay Nolly.
D. D.J. Countess (-1) - Wasn't with the team at the time.

9. Who scored the game winner in RSL's historic match against European powerhouse Real Madrid on August 12, 2006?

A. Jeff Cunningham (-1) - You ought to know that RSL lost this game 2-0!
B. Robinho (1) - Scored a SWEET goal, but wasn't the game winner.
C. Jason Kreis (-1) - Again, RSL lost!
D. Ruud van Nistelrooy (3) - Very good! A PK in the 45+' was the game-winner.

10. Which RSL striker was booed by fans after posing a dirty tackle and getting sent off in that historic friendly?

A. Atiba Harris (5) - Very good! He was an idiot to try what he tried.
B. Jeff Cunningham (0) - Cunny would never do anything that stupid!
C. Jason Kreis (0) - Neither would seasoned veteran Kreis!
D. Freddy Adu (-5) - Wasn't with the team at the time. (I expect you to know when RSL acquired Adu, it was HUGE news.)

Most Points Possible: 39

Least Points Possible: (-19)

39 points: You know your stuff!

25-39 points: Good job! You know your RSL!

10-24 points: You keep up with the big stuff.

0-9 points: Eh, learn a little more about the team.

(-19) - (-1): Why are you reading my blog?

rslnerd@gmail.com

New York @ Real Salt Lake (Top 5 Games)

I normally wouldn't post my opinion of the game until Monday or Tuesday, but I just had to do this. On my way to the game, my RSL comrades and I were chatting about what the biggest games in RSL history were. Well, we got a top 5 gem tonight. So, I decided to choose my top 5 biggest RSL games ever.

5. Red Bull New York at Real Salt Lake - May 5, 2007 - 3 : 3
RSL battle back from an early 2-0 deficit to a 3-3 draw in new coach Jason Kreis' first game at the reins, scoring in the 90th and 92+ minutes by Cunningham and C. Brown to win a point against the previously unscored upon in 4 games top team in the league.

Goal Summary:

New York
Richards (Mathis) 12'
Mathis (van den Bergh) 28'
Mathis (Kovalenko, Reyna) 83'

Salt Lake
Klein (unassisted) 61'
Cunningham (penalty kick) 90'
C. Brown (Adu) 92+'


4. FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake - September 16, 2006 - 2 : 3
Down a man after 28 minutes, (Talley was sent off) with the score knotted at one apiece, RSL gave up a goal Carlos Ruiz goal near halftime, and hopes dimmed for those in Rice-Eccles Stadium. But coming on from the second half, Klein scored for RSL at the 62nd minute, soon to be followed by a Kreis game-winner ten minutes later. RSL came back from a goal a man down to win.

Goal Summary:

Dallas
Ruiz (O'Brien, Thompson) 4'
Ruiz (Thompson) 46+'

Salt Lake
Williams (unassisted) 13'
Klein (Williams) 62'
Kreis (Harris, Klein) 72'


3. DC United at Real Salt Lake - July 29, 2006 - 1 : 2
RSL end DC's 14-game unbeaten streak in stunning fashion in front of over 20,000 fans in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Coming into this game, DC is undebatebly the top team in the league, with a 14-game unbeaten streak, and topping the Eastern Conference. Moreno scores for DC in the 36th minute, but RSL wins two PKs in the 90th and 96th minute to win 2-1.

Goal Summary:

DC United
Moreno (Gros, Gomez) 36'

Salt Lake
Cunningham (penalty kick) 90'
Cunningham (penalty kick) 96+'


2. Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles Galaxy - May 3, 2006 - 3 : 0
Real finally win a game on the road, winning a decisive game with Los Angeles. After starting the season 0-5-1, this game was the turning point to make a competitive season, and not another 2005. Cunningham scored a brace as a second half sub.

Goal Summary:

Salt Lake
Harris (Talley) 17'
Cunningham (Talley, Klein) 72'
Cunningham (Kreis, Klein) 87'

Los Angeles
No Goals Scored


1. Colorado cRapids at Real Salt Lake - April 16, 2005 - 0 : 1
What could be bigger than the franchise's first ever win? Nothing, by my count. RSL come out and dazzle 25,000+ fans in Salt Lake for their first taste of MLS Soccer. Dunseth scores as time is running out to win the home opener. This is what jump-started RSL huge fan base, arguably the best in the league.

Goal Summary:

Colorado
No Goals Scored

Salt Lake
Dunseth (Mathis) 81'


Email me at rslnerd@gmail.com.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

MLS Week 4 Summary

Sorry for posting this late, I never got around to it, but before I get to the actual games played, let me take a moment to congratulate Ellinger for retiring. We have all been looking forward to this moment, and we hope to god that Kreis will be our Bob Bradley.

RSL Game Summary:
Well, what can one say? Abbey Okulaja must be a complete RETARD!!!!! What does one expect, though? Has he ever reffed a good game in his life? Maybe, but not at Rice-Eccles. Despite the fact that he gave us the DC win last year, he hasn't impressed me. That second goal, that may have been a passback, but I have seen passbacks 1000x more obvious be let go. Whatever. We lost, no changing that. I would be doubly pissed if we would've scored later on, making that FLUKE of a goal be the GWG. Whatever. If Okulaja refs the other three RMC games, we can throw our chances of that out the window.

RSL Game Report:

Goal Summary

Real Salt Lake
No Goals Scored

Colorado cRapids
Brown (unassisted) 71'
Beckerman (unassisted) 75'

Card Summary

Real Salt Lake
No Cards Receives

Colorado cRapids
Yellow - Vanney (78')

Around the MLS:

(3-1-0/9/3 East) KC 3 : 0 TOR (0-4-0/0/7 East)
(2-3-1/7/2 West) DAL 0 : 1 NY (3-0-1/10/1 East)
(0-4-0/0/7 East) TOR 0 : 1 KC (3-1-0/9/3 East)
(1-0-3/6/5 East) CLB 1 : 0 DC (0-3-0/0/6 East)
(2-2-0/6/3 West) CHV 1 : 3 LA (1-1-1/4/4 West)
(2-3-1/7/2 West) DAL 0 : 1 NE (2-1-1/7/4 East)

My Fantasy Team Update:

JUFC has been threatening to quit from the beginning due to my early dominance, but now retracts that because of his goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman, KC, who he put the captain mark on and earned him 156 pts. (Hartman ended up being captain of the Dream Team Week 4) Oh well, it's still fun. To be frank, I sucked. I was terrible last week. Whatever.

GK Bouna Coundoul (COL) : 39 points (9 pts Playing Time, 20 pts Clean Sheet, 10 pts Team Win)
DF Craig Waibel (HOU) : 0 points
DF Marvell Wynne (TOR) : 10 points (10 pts Playing Time)
DF Kelly Gray (HOU) : 7 points (7 pts Playing Time)
DF Lawson Vaughn : 3 points (3 pts Playing Time)
MF Pablo Mastroeni (COL) : 19 points (9 pts Playing Time, 10 pts Team Win)
MF Mehdi Ballouchy (RSL) : 9 points (9 pts Playing Time)
MF Freddy Adu (RSL) : 9 points (9 pts Playing Time)
MF Fred (DC) : 4 points (4 pts Playing Time)
FW Jeff Cunningham : 9 points (9 pts Playing Time)
(C) FW Josmer Altidore : 46 points (should be 8 pts Playing Time but they only gave me 3, 10 pts Assist, 10 pts Team Win, x2 Captainage)

League Scoreboard
rslnerd: 586 pts, #5975 overall
Jeppson United FC: 663 pts, #3741 overall

My Pick 'Em Update
As he did in Fantasy, JUFC had a breakout in Pick 'Em too, scoring eight to my three. My money was on Toronto winning their home opener 1-0 as RSL did two years ago. His money was on the same game, but he had Kansas City winning 1-0. That's exactly what happened. Oh well.

After 4 Weeks:
rslnerd: 10 pts
Jeppson United FC: 0 pts

Playoff Picture

Top Two East: New York, Chicago
Top Two West: Colorado, Dallas
Four "Wild Card": Kansas City, New England, Columbus, Chivas USA

MLS Performance Factors:

1. New York - 2501251
2. Chicago - 2500751
3. Kansas City - 2251252
4. New England - 1751002
5. Colorado - 1750252
6. Chivas USA - 1500752
7. Columbus - 1500251
8. Los Angeles - 1333668
9. Dallas - 1166335
10. Houston - 999750
11. Salt Lake - 498501
12. DC United - (-1332)
13. Toronto - (-2500)

rslnerd's Power Rankings

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Kansas City
4. New England
5. Chivas USA
6. Columbus
7. Los Angeles
8. Colorado
9. Houston
10. Salt Lake
11. Dallas
12. DC United
13. Toronto

MLS Goal Leaders:

Taylor Twellman (NE) - 4
Eddie Johnson (KC) - 3
13 Players tied with 2

MLS Points Leaders:

Taylor Twellman (NE) - 8
Eddie Johnson (KC) - 8
Chris Rolfe (CHI) - 7

Next for RSL:

vs. New York, 5/5/07, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City UT, 7:00 PM MST

RSL faces the most impressive team in the league, a team who hasn't given up a goal this season, as they go for more points, trying to increase their credibility as a good team in this league.

Next Week's Games:

5/3
NE @ DC

5/5
CLB @ KC
NY @ RSL
HOU @ COL

5/6
CHV @ DC
CHI @ NE

RSL Schedule

4/7 vs. Dallas T 2-2 (0-0-1/1/T3 West)
4/14 vs. Columbus T 0-0 (0-0-2/2/5 West)
4/21 @ Chivas USA L 0-4 (0-1-2/2/5 West)
4/30 vs. Colorado L 0-2 (0-2-2/2/5 West)
5/5 vs. New York
5/10 @ Colorado
5/20 @ Dallas
5/27 @ Chicago
6/2 @ New England
6/14 vs. Dallas
6/17 @ Los Angeles
6/23 vs. DC United
7/4 vs. Toronto
7/7 @ Columbus
7/14 @ Kansas City
7/28 vs. New England
8/4 vs. Houston
8/18 vs. Chicago
8/26 @ Chivas USA
8/29 vs. Kansas City
9/1 @ Los Angeles
9/8 @ Houston
9/15 @ Toronto
9/19 vs. Los Angeles
9/22 vs. Colorado
9/26 @ D.C. United
9/29 @ New York
10/6 vs. Chivas USA
10/13 vs. Houston
10/20 @ Colorado

Email me at rslnerd@gmail.com

Monday, April 23, 2007

MLS Week 3 Summary

RSL Game Summary:
Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. I will be joining the "Cut Rimando" campaign. If you were watching, all were immediately discouraged by Maykel Galindo's strike 33 seconds into the match. The fact that he scored eight minutes later made me want to kill Rimando. Both goals could have been prevented, especially the first. Maybe y'all were wondering along with me WTF was Rimando doing at the edge of the box? He had like two defenders behind him. If he had just played it well and stayed near the goal, they could have helped. Instead, all Galindo had to do was get it around Rimando, then tap it into the net for a goal. Oh well. When you're down two-nil ten minutes in, having another goal scored on you before half doesn't help. (Congrats, though to Ante Razov for scoring Goal #100.) Oh well, history figures. RSL has never won against Chivas USA at the HDC. In fact, their all-time goal differential there is -12. Here are all-time results against Chivas USA in Carson:

5/7/2005 CHV 1 : 0 RSL
7/9/2005 CHV 5 : 1 RSL
4/2/2006 CHV 3 : 0 RSL
10/15/2006 CHV 1 : 1 RSL
4/21/2007 CHV 4 : 0 RSL

0-4-1, 1 point, 2 goals for, 14 goals against, -12 goal differential

The numbers explain themself.

RSL Game Report:
Chivas USA : Real Salt Lake 4 : 0 (3 : 0)

Goal Summary

Chivas USA
Galindo (Zotinca) - 1'
Galindo (Zotinca, Kljestan) - 9'
Razov (Mendoza, Galindo) - 43'
Taylor (Unassisted) - 89'

Real Salt Lake
No Goals Scored

Card Summary

Chivas USA
Yellow - Galindo (25')
Yellow - Marsch (68')
Yellow - Kljestan (76')

Real Salt Lake
No Cards Received

Around the MLS
(0-0-3/3/5 East) CLB 2 : 2 NE (1-1-1/4/3 East)
(2-0-1/7/1 East) NY 1 : 0 HOU (1-1-1/4/3 West)
(2-0-1/7/2 East) CHI 2 : 1 KC (1-1-0/3/4 East)
(2-1-0/6/2 West) CHV 4 : 0 RSL (0-1-2/2/5 West)
(2-1-1/7/1 West) DAL 3 : 1 COL (1-1-1/4/4 West)

Didn't Play: DC United (0-2-0/0/6 East); Toronto FC (0-2-0/0/7 East); Los Angeles (0-1-1/1/6 West)

My Fantasy Team Update:

Altidore's strike for the Red Bulls gave my team 37 good points. Also, Lawson Vaughan's performance earned him 29 pts for me. Bouna Coundoul's poor performance lost me 6 pts. Marvell Wynne got traded to Toronto, so his good 29 points he would've gotten me were lost.

GK Bouna Coundoul (COL) : -6 points (9 pts Playing Time, -15 pts 3 goals allowed)
DF Craig Waibel (HOU) : 0 points
DF Marvell Wynne (TOR) : 0 points
DF Kelly Gray (HOU) : 7 points (7 pts Playing Time)
DF Lawson Vaughan (CHV) : 29 points (9 pts Playing Time, 10 pts Team Win, 10 pts Clean Sheet)
MF Pablo Mastroeni (COL) : 4 points (4 pts Playing Time)
MF Mehdi Ballouchy (RSL) : 9 points (9 pts Playing Time)
MF Freddy Adu (RSL) : 9 points (9 pts Playing Time)
MF Fred (DC) : 0 points (0 pts Playing Time)
(C) FW Jeff Cunningham (RSL) : 18 points (9 pts Playing Time, x2 Captainage)
FW Josmer Altidore (NY) : 37 points (7 pts Playing Time, 20 pts Goal, 10 pts Team Win)

League Scoreboard
rslnerd: 431 pts, #4203 overall
Jeppson United FC: 402 pts, #5307 overall

My Pick 'Em Update
We both broke even this week. We each lost every game, though he missed RSL-CHV while that was my folly. I didn't do a money this week, but I got DAL-COL exactly right. He got it with one score, and it was his money. 0-0 this week.

After 3 Weeks:
rslnerd: 7 pts
Jeppson United FC: -8 pts

Playoff Picture:

Top Two East: New York, Chicago
Top Two West: FC Dallas, Chivas USA
Four "Wild Card": New England, Houston, Colorado, Kansas City

MLS Performance Factors:

1. New York - 2334668
2. Chicago - 2334001
3. Chivas USA - 2001669
4. FC Dallas - 1750002
5. Kansas City - 1500503
6. New England - 1334335
7. Houston - 1333334
8. Colorado - 1333001
9. Columbus - 1000001
10. Real Salt Lake - 665334
11. Los Angeles - 499501
12. DC United - (-1499)
13. Toronto FC - (-3000)

rslnerd's Power Rankings:

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Dallas
4. Chivas USA
5. Houston
6. Colorado
7. New England
8. Kansas City
9. Real Salt Lake
10. Columbus
11. DC United
12. Los Angeles
13. Toronto FC

MLS Goal Leaders:

Taylor Twellman (NE) - 3
Josmer Altidore (NY) - 2
Chad Barrett (CHI) - 2
Kenny Cooper (DAL) - 2
Jeff Cunningham (RSL) - 2
Andy Dorman (NE) - 2
Luciano Emilio (DC) - 2
Maykel Galindo (CHV) - 2
Herculez Gomez (COL) - 2
Ramon Nuñez (DAL) - 2
Ante Razov (CHV) - 2
Carlos Ruiz (DAL) - 2

MLS Points Leaders:

Taylor Twellman (NE) - 6
Maykel Galindo (CHV) - 6
Carlos Ruiz (DAL) - 5
Kenny Cooper (DAL) - 5
Josmer Altidore (NY) - 5
Ramon Nuñez (DAL) - 5
Chris Rolfe (CHI) - 5
Jeff Cunningham (RSL) - 4
Luciano Emilio (DC) - 4
Herculez Gomez (COL) - 4
Chad Barrett (CHI) - 4
Andy Dorman (NE) - 4
Ante Razov (CHV) - 4
Eddie Johnson (KC) - 4
Sacha Kljestan (CHV) - 4

Next for RSL:

vs. Colorado, 4/30/07, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City UT, 4:00 PM MST

Colorado has put on some impressive performances so far, and RSL looks to grab their first win in RSL's premier of "Monday Night Fútbol".

Next Weeks Games:

4/25

TOR @ KC

4/26

NY @ DAL

4/28

KC @ TOR
DC @ CLB
CHV @ LA

4/29

NE @ DAL
CHI @ HOU

4/30

COL @ RSL

RSL Schedule:

4/7 vs. Dallas T 2-2 (0-0-1/1/T3 West)
4/14 vs. Columbus T 0-0 (0-0-2/2/5 West)
4/21 @ Chivas USA L 0-4 (0-1-2/2/5 West)
4/30 vs. Colorado
5/5 vs. New York
5/10 @ Colorado
5/20 @ Dallas
5/27 @ Chicago
6/2 @ New England
6/14 vs. Dallas
6/17 @ Los Angeles
6/23 vs. DC United
7/4 vs. Toronto
7/7 @ Columbus
7/14 @ Kansas City
7/28 vs. New England
8/4 vs. Houston
8/18 vs. Chicago
8/26 @ Chivas USA
8/29 vs. Kansas City
9/1 @ Los Angeles
9/8 @ Houston
9/15 @ Toronto
9/19 vs. Los Angeles
9/22 vs. Colorado
9/26 @ D.C. United
9/29 @ New York
10/6 vs. Chivas USA
10/13 vs. Houston
10/20 @ Colorado