Note: All future RSL correspondence will be handled through the use of an old mimeograph machine that was located at the local DI. All printers were either broken or put into the witness protection program following what ever that was on Saturday. I expect a much different team to show up for RSL on Saturday. Will the result be any different?
This NYRB team beat Olimpia in a 2 leg series of CCL. Then they went to Tijuana and beat them 2-0. Oh, and then this last week they hosted Portland and beat them 4-0 with a bunch of teenagers on the pitch. Of the 3 teams we've played, this is arguably the best. That should scare the shit out of all of us and hopefully the team. The one thing we got going for us (maybe?) is that the Tijuana return leg is this week (Tuesday). Who knows. I don't expect any serious changes to the lineup. This is likely the last one with these guys if things don't drastically improve, though.
As of today, Looks like rain in the evening on Saturday. I can't see us doing well against the "B" squad that beat Portland 4-0. I will say we score a goal but still lose 3-1
Imma be optimistic for no reason whatsoever. I'm going to pretend like I don't know any of the things stated above and put faith in Mike Freakin' Petke to DESTROY the team in practice and put the fear of Yura into them. 2-2 draw.
With the return of wet weather, MSilva, NYRB over-confidence and a more conservative game plan we will at worst earn a draw. I think a win is likely.
Forecast is rain that could turn to snow by the end of the match. Ugh. I'm sunburned from my golf trip, I don't wanna stand in the rain/snow and watch this team get their asses kicked. Please show up, RSL
Until I watched tonight's Champions League game I forgot that Collin was still in the league, I still don't like that guy. Anyway here is the ref lineup: Real Salt Lake v New York Red Bulls Rio Tinto Stadium (9PM ET) REFEREE: TED UNKEL AR1: EDUARDO MARISCAL AR2: MICHAEL KAMPMEINERT 4TH: FOTIS BAZAKOS VAR: DREW FISCHER
Sad when that's us feeling optimistic. The last game gutted us. We've had so many bad years of soccer now in a row. Finally, we thought we'd turned a corner, just for that to happen. #embratsu
I watched parts of both the TFC and NYRB CCL games last night. It was awesome to see MLS teams play the role of gamesmanship with the Mexican sides. Especially TFC at Tigres because ******** Tigres. One thing that really stood out to me in those games was the transitional ability of NYRB and TFC. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. Whenever they lost the ball, numbers quickly got behind and pressure was reapplied almost immediately. In the FCD game we struggled with this mightily and based on the highlights (and talking to others that saw it) it continued in the LAFC game. It's something I hope Petke has a big focus on this week.
At the very least, I want to see an improvement in how the team plays. A draw/win is good, but I can accept a loss if it looks like we were playing well, but just weren't good enough on the day.
Team store has a cool St Patrick's day scarf. Supplies are limited. I picked one up with the hopes of at least having a nice scarf in the cold weather if the team sucks
So...Petke appears to be going with the "it was just a crappy day / it was an outlier" theory. Uh oh. Sounds like he's planning on playing wide open again. Here's hoping that M Silva is healthy and that RSL doesn't give up 4 on the counter.
Tempted. I paid the Royal Army $15 two years ago mainly to get a scarf they were offering that has pockets on both ends for the cold weather games. Wife also found some green long-sleeve tees on the internet with the RSL logo just for Saturday. Supposed to arrive tonight, so we're cutting it close on the shipping.
Anyone thinking we get out of this with a draw or better is dreaming. NYRB looks like a freaking machine and we still don't know the names of teammates.
I am pretty sure I can name all of them. Movsisian, Mantilla, Espindola, seitz, Olave, Williams, Wingert, Beckerman, Cutler , Beltran, Findlay. I think this is a stronger team than we are now putting on the field.