Lizzie Bee
15 Jun 2005, 04:14 PM
* MOTM June 8, 2005 vs. Universidad Catolica
For the first time ever, the Loyalists Man of the Match was a unanimous decision. After watching frustrating losses and a seeming lack of motivation, the Loyalists wanted to see something different. That’s what they got from this week’s MOTM: determination and passion, which ultimately resulted in an unlikely win.
Things seemed bleak for Real Salt Lake when they left the pitch after 45 minutes of play against Universidad Catolica on June 8th. RSL was down 2-0 and the crowd, at least, wasn’t feeling very hopeful. Things turned around in the second half, however, as both teams subbed out various players and RSL’s reserves got a piece of the action.
The most noticeable difference came when this game’s Man of the Match, Jamie Watson, entered the field. “There was a noticeable increase in the speed of play when he entered the game. He seemed to get the rest of the team fired up,” said Scott Cardon.
Loyalist Scott Stucki said, “He entered the game, adding a new spark, and contributed to all three goals in the come back.”
“Can you say ‘energy’, ‘drive’, and ‘determination’?” asked Eric Wright. “Jamie Watson embodied all three, and perhaps more during the Catolica match. Not many things are more sweet than a seemingly hopeless come from behind win, and Jamie Watson was instrumental in just such a win over Catolica!”
Congratulations to Jamie for being the first player in RSL history to be voted unanimously Man of the Match by the Loyalists!
* MOTM June 11, 2005 vs. LA Galaxy
For RSL fans, the bad news after the June 11th game was that it resulted in a loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The good news for the fans was that the game was lost by only one point (1-0) as commentators noted, “This really should have been a three or four to zero game.”
Various Loyalists paid their tribute to the defense as they nominated DJ Countess, Brian Dunseth and Brian Kamler for Man of the Match. However, the winner came from the opposite end of the field. 75% of the votes for MOTM went to rookie forward Jamie Watson, who came in as a substitution during the second half.
Fans of Real Salt Lake know Jamie Watson as more than a professional soccer player. For those who read “Jamie’s Journal” on RSL’s website, he’s just “Jamie,” a cool guy who is passionate about life and about soccer. That passion has made him a favorite for many of the Loyalists, who have even joked about putting together a petition to see him in as a starter.
Roger Douglass said, “I'm going to go with Jaime Watson for the energy he brought into the game off the bench.”
Loyalist Rich Myrick coined a nickname for Jamie, saying, “Sparky lit a fire under the team and made a good case for starting him next week against the Quakes on the mini-field.”
Eric Wright noted his appreciation for DJ Countess, saying, “He chronicled another six saves in what likely should have been a two or three to zero match. Thanks for making us look better than we really were – again!”
Another vote for DJ Countess came from Scott Stucki, who said, “Against the Galaxy, go with DJ. We made him work way too hard again—no sweeper keeper for him.”
Midfielder Brian Kamler stepped into the back left position for Rusty Pierce, who was out for injury. Remembering Kamler’s short stint as goalkeeper in a previous game, Brian Seppa said, “Man of the match for me is Mr. Versatility, Brian Kamler.”
Congratulations to all those who were nominated this week and especially to Jamie Watson. Earning the MOTM honor twice within one week makes Jamie Watson the first RSL player to ever win the honor twice in a row.
If you are a PAID member of the Loyalists, you can vote for the Loyalists MOTM after each game. Votes for Man of the Match can be emailed to rslmotm@gmail.com. Votes should be sent before 5 p.m. on the Monday following games. Votes for Wednesday games will be accepted through the following Monday if you specify which match you are voting for.
For the first time ever, the Loyalists Man of the Match was a unanimous decision. After watching frustrating losses and a seeming lack of motivation, the Loyalists wanted to see something different. That’s what they got from this week’s MOTM: determination and passion, which ultimately resulted in an unlikely win.
Things seemed bleak for Real Salt Lake when they left the pitch after 45 minutes of play against Universidad Catolica on June 8th. RSL was down 2-0 and the crowd, at least, wasn’t feeling very hopeful. Things turned around in the second half, however, as both teams subbed out various players and RSL’s reserves got a piece of the action.
The most noticeable difference came when this game’s Man of the Match, Jamie Watson, entered the field. “There was a noticeable increase in the speed of play when he entered the game. He seemed to get the rest of the team fired up,” said Scott Cardon.
Loyalist Scott Stucki said, “He entered the game, adding a new spark, and contributed to all three goals in the come back.”
“Can you say ‘energy’, ‘drive’, and ‘determination’?” asked Eric Wright. “Jamie Watson embodied all three, and perhaps more during the Catolica match. Not many things are more sweet than a seemingly hopeless come from behind win, and Jamie Watson was instrumental in just such a win over Catolica!”
Congratulations to Jamie for being the first player in RSL history to be voted unanimously Man of the Match by the Loyalists!
* MOTM June 11, 2005 vs. LA Galaxy
For RSL fans, the bad news after the June 11th game was that it resulted in a loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The good news for the fans was that the game was lost by only one point (1-0) as commentators noted, “This really should have been a three or four to zero game.”
Various Loyalists paid their tribute to the defense as they nominated DJ Countess, Brian Dunseth and Brian Kamler for Man of the Match. However, the winner came from the opposite end of the field. 75% of the votes for MOTM went to rookie forward Jamie Watson, who came in as a substitution during the second half.
Fans of Real Salt Lake know Jamie Watson as more than a professional soccer player. For those who read “Jamie’s Journal” on RSL’s website, he’s just “Jamie,” a cool guy who is passionate about life and about soccer. That passion has made him a favorite for many of the Loyalists, who have even joked about putting together a petition to see him in as a starter.
Roger Douglass said, “I'm going to go with Jaime Watson for the energy he brought into the game off the bench.”
Loyalist Rich Myrick coined a nickname for Jamie, saying, “Sparky lit a fire under the team and made a good case for starting him next week against the Quakes on the mini-field.”
Eric Wright noted his appreciation for DJ Countess, saying, “He chronicled another six saves in what likely should have been a two or three to zero match. Thanks for making us look better than we really were – again!”
Another vote for DJ Countess came from Scott Stucki, who said, “Against the Galaxy, go with DJ. We made him work way too hard again—no sweeper keeper for him.”
Midfielder Brian Kamler stepped into the back left position for Rusty Pierce, who was out for injury. Remembering Kamler’s short stint as goalkeeper in a previous game, Brian Seppa said, “Man of the match for me is Mr. Versatility, Brian Kamler.”
Congratulations to all those who were nominated this week and especially to Jamie Watson. Earning the MOTM honor twice within one week makes Jamie Watson the first RSL player to ever win the honor twice in a row.
If you are a PAID member of the Loyalists, you can vote for the Loyalists MOTM after each game. Votes for Man of the Match can be emailed to rslmotm@gmail.com. Votes should be sent before 5 p.m. on the Monday following games. Votes for Wednesday games will be accepted through the following Monday if you specify which match you are voting for.