Overall it was a typical midweek, game 2 of 3 in 8 days, match. Slower than normal, mistakes more often, lack of creativity, and a tennis match of sorts at times. I have liked how this team has come out in the second half the last 2 matches. I've hated how we've played in the first 45, though. Why does it take us 45 minutes and some bad call/mistake to get a fire under our ass? Why doesn't Kreis have these guys flying from the opening whistle and finishing the first 45 strong. That's twice in 2 games we've given up goals in the last 5 minutes of the first half. It's arguably one of the most damaging times to give up a goal psychologically. Yet, somehow, it has the reverse effect on us...? what the hell is with this team. Oh, and Bonfigli, please don't suddenly grow stones in the bottom of your shoes like Paulo Junior. Pure speed opens the midfield for this team so much it's incredible.
I'm not saying we have a good replacement for him lined up, but I do sympathize with the anti-Sabo sentiment. I would not be sad to see him go, but hopefully he's just having a rough patch and will play his way out of it.
I've always felt this - our best group of forwards were the 2009 team (Espindola, Findley, Yura), and 2010 (Espindola, Findley, Sabo). I think the main reason why is because there was legit competition for the starting spots each week. Right now that doesn't exist. Espindola and Sabo know that they are JK's first choice tandem barring injury/rest/etc. They need to be pushed in order to get more production out of them, IMHO. Going into the game I would have been happy with a draw. A six pack later and I am a very happy man.
And, to complete the thought, an open midfield will be like taking candy from a baby for Morales, Gil and Beckerman.
We played like Team Thug in the first half tonight. I've disliked Dallas teams over the years because of the cheap shot style they consistently play; however, tonight we reversed roles with them. It was one of the worst showings of professional ball that I've ever seen. FCD deserved a goal in that first half. I didn't like the way they got it; but they deserved one. We were lucky to not get 3 or 4 yellows in that half. Much like San Jose deserved 3 or 4 yellows last week in the first half. Any non-RSL fan who watched that first half tonight can honestly claim that we play dirty. I don't waste time anymore fretting about the referee calls. Espy got his team record goal this season from a hand ball that wasn't called. Tonight's missed call just evens it out. We looked a different team in the 2nd half, and probably deserved more than one goal. I'm very happy for Bonfigli! I observed that our Center Backs were getting forward when we were putting heavy pressure on FCD. Is that a new tactic to counter the recent jamming of the middle that we've seen teams do? Shuler especially was effective coming forward. It was also good to see Will and Grabs aggressively attacking when they had the ball. As far as I'm concerned, good things happen when they do that.
I posted it in our talk as well, but I thought JK saw the match correctly and made the right adjustment at the half, the game really turned. Some of that may have been FCD trying to bunker a bit, but the open area was the middle, and quick touches there changed the second half. Not sure why you can't get three in Frisco but I was worried it was going to happen tonight. The last thing we needed was to lose another player (Rodriguez), but nothing looked intentional in that challenge, hope there's not a suspension. Good luck.
All things considered, it was probably a fair result. Both teams had the chances to steal 3 points on their breakaways - or elsewhere - but the finishing wasn't there. Agree that our late-in-the-half and set-piece defending is a glaring note. The great attack we had going in the second half was really encouraging, though I'm not sure Ned was the substitution, they really picked on him. When he switched sides Brek came over to continue it. He couldn't accelerate at all. That was an ill-advised sub IMO. Johnson's assist would be an 'assist of the week' candidate if they had that...great fast reversal that caught the D napping. Still, a point on the road is solid.
For all the Sabo-piling-on. Ask yourself. Who finished that run and filled the left wing? Nobody. If someone had they'd have had a tap-in goal after Shea overran Sabo (Alvaro dealt with Brek very well). It's a team game. Someone should have been there. Sabo beat Brek and got the goalie out, and had nobody to pass to. On Tony's PK - I thought armpit...but...prior to that we gave up a free kick in a bad spot, and we didn't clear a ball in the box. Those are things you have to do. Bad things can happen (or be thought to have happened).
Nope. Everything that happens in RMC matches is karmic makeup for the Crapids winning MLS Cup on a fluke.
Post of the day right here. What the hell was wrong with you all last night? RSL just got its second draw in 10 (!!!) matches all-time in Dallas, after two straight road losses, on three days rest...and we're bitching about the team. If anything, there should be more bitching about the ref who cost RSL the outright win. And spare me the bullshit about how Dallas deserved a score because they were dominant in the first half...while they were definitely the more dangerous team from minutes 10 to 45, they couldn't finish a 4-piece chicken mcnuggets. Rimando never came remotely close to being tested. Without the phantom PK, I think it's safe to assume that Hoops don't score. Once that one dude dislocated his elbow, Dallas was done. RSL dominated from that point out. I really believe that without the PK, RSL wins 1-0.
Personally, I'm sick of all this karma talk. All it does is invite a victimizing mentality. It seems like the majority of RSL's games there's some 'big' call that we don't agree with, but I'm used to it now. The good teams will rise above it, and I'd like to think that there is some sort of connection between the fans and their teams mentality. Dallas deserved a goal in the first half. I don't agree with the pk call, but I'm fine with the fact that they scored. I also think that a draw was justified. There were chances that we could have put away and didn't, but that happens too. Seitz came up big in this game. Looking forward to Saturday, it's hard to believe our last home game was against Colorado. Like others have said, this one has 'trap game' written all over it. I want to see our guys come out fighting, because Toronto no doubt will. As for Sabo, he has done a lot for this club in our time here. I'm willing to let a few missed chances slide.
Seconded. Talk about a tale of two halves...I was at the match and the first half was just atrocious. I really had a good time during the 2nd half though, I felt like we were REALLY dominating and the goal would come, even though we tired later on (the muggy heat was worse than I expected, and I imagine this had a lot to do with RSL tiring down the stretch). I also felt like a point was fair to both teams (crap penalty notwithstanding) based on effort, but it really could have gone either way, so good job to RSL for getting the point on the road. Our first win in Texas can come in September as we are putting the finishing touches on our run for the SS. Can't wait for that game!!! Shame that Sabo didn't have help on that play, or we would have taken this game. Speaking of Sabo, we stayed around to greet the players and Sabo (who was the first one off the field when the whistle blew) was the first one on the bus. We cheered for him as he walked by, but he didn't even acknowledge us. You could tell he was pretty moody (PMSing? Like some of us in here? ) I feel kind of bad for the guy, but I think he needs an attitude adjustment. We need him to snap out of his funk ASAP. I hope he has a good game against Toronto. Interesting to note, in the post-game quote sheet, Jason talks about how he's noticed RSL is not starting games well and how he wants a good full 90 minute performance. Hopefully he can get that out of the team. Bring on Toronto!
That might have been one of the most bizzare injuries I've ever seen. Javi had no malice in his tackle, in fact he tried to pull out (he was always going for the ball) at the last second once he saw Rodriguez was falling down. I know it was a rush of blood type thing, but that was a dick move by hernandez to shove Javi. Javi is standing there apologizing and explaining how it was purely an accident.
technically that wasn't his debut, was it? I thought he came on as a stoppage time sub in another game
Here's to hoping Kreis can light a fire under these guys and get them to come out and curb stomp Toronto. Start out strong, score in the first 10, and never look back. Run riot! But yes, I agree, unfortunately. Hopefully they have learned from SKC and Chivas...
There's a lot of Sabo bashing here and I don't get it. I agree he didn't have a great game but remember he was the lone striker for what 70 minutes on Sat thank you Fabi. Sabo played hard in SJ and with how Fabi plays Sabo is constantly double teamed because Fabi is running around in the mid-field and leaving him alone up top. Which btw he does well holding the ball up or flicking it on to Fabi. He tried to flick to Paulo several times but Paulo was not on the same page.
Does no one talk to you on your board? If you want to be an RSL fan come on over. America's best striker not necessarily Americas best PK taker. I will take a PK shoot out where your OWN players have to score over the other team scoring to give you a title. Blah, blah, blah FIFA says you didn't really win the game its a tie on books blah, blah, blah. The trophy looks great on the mantel.
Disagree. Dallas was the more dangerous team in the first half but they couldn't hit the ocean from a boat. Rimando was never tested. If Rimando had stood on his head you might be able to say that Dallas deserved a goal, but he didn't. Quite often when we say that a team "deserved" a goal, we are only looking at possession and chances, neglecting the fact that finishing is an important part of the game. The quality of the finishing should weigh into our assessment of who "deserved" what. Don't take it personally...that's how Sabo is. He's like that with the media too. I get maybe one interview a year with him because he's always gone before the locker room even opens. I'm not sure Sabo ever has "good days."
K, I'll cut him some slack. Some positivity/approachability might do him good, though Kreis, Javi, Kyle, Chris W., Will, and Nick were super awesome. It was so good to see RSL in person again.