I've been reading about the current state of RSL and they're not looking too strong at the moment. Maybe they're ripe for the picking?
I have learned to never count the Hammerheads out. Ever. They have always performed well in the USOC, and the comeback against Charlotte shows a great tenacity. That being said... the Hammers have a lot of things going against them. They have yet to win on the road (0-2-3) This is a long trip over three time zones after an important match Friday night. I think the MLS squads have begun to take the tournament a little more seriously as Seattle has shown it's an easier way to the CCL. And nobody wants to be the Fire who have lost to USL sides the last two years. and of course...RSL IS a MLS team (with all the advantages that come with that status...). On the plus side: The Hammers have been playing well with a lot of confidence (especially late.) The adrenaline rush of being in a MLS facility and having a chance to prove yourself is potent. RSL doesn't know (and doesn't care) who we are, and I doubt they would spend a lot of time researching. We could surely surprise them. Confidence and adrenaline are a potent combination. My prediction? Wilmington 2 : 1 RSL
I like it, I like it. Now if we could only watch it. I wonder if: 1) a local/regional Salt Lake TV station would show it and 2) if someone would stream it online?
I do not think RSL is ripe for the picking, in fact they should almost be at full strength (minus Morales of course) and hungry for momentum, considering they just mopped up a weak Toronto side this weekend. Considering they have only lost 4 times in the 3+ years in Rio Tinto, I don't think its very likely that Wilmington will be able to do it, especially after a cross country trip to get there. Altitude is also a factor and something they never have to deal with in the USL. That being said, Hammerheads are a good team and RSL may elect to go with a complete B team. Should be fun. If I hear of a local TV broadcast, I will post it. Good luck!
Yeah... that altitude difference is going to be something (as the altitude of Wilmington is less than 35 feet above sea level.) The one nice thing will be the change in humidity which has been running from 80% - 90% here to probably around 25% in SLC. Just hoping for a good performance and glad the guys get a chance to perform on a big stage.
Nice breakdown here.. http://gocamels.blogspot.com/2011/06/wilmington-hammerheads-vs-real-salt.html#links
The starters... WIL #USOC starters: Polak; Parratt, Becerra, Evans, Riley; Guzman, Taylor, Nicholson, Avesyan; Mulholland, Budnyy RSL's starting XI -- Reynish, Beltran, McKenzie, Borchers, Schuler, Beckerman, Bomma, Johnson, Warner, Alexandre, Gill.
I'm listening now to the RSL radio broadcast of the USOC pre-game, and the announcers said Wilmington hasn't provided any info for them, they know squat about the team, the city, etc. That's very disappointing, IMO. Isn't that (part of) what the WH FO is supposed to be doing, or at least the USL? Bad PR.
There is no tv feed for this game. The KALL700 link posted earlier is what we are all using tonight. Temperature at kickoff was about 95F and there is a little more humidity than usual (Bomma of course is wearing long sleeves).
They mentioned the attendance was roughly around 8-8.5 k. Not too shabby for a midweek, non-league game.
Thanks...It was going to be an uphill battle anyway, but I have no doubt they gave their all. Polak was our man of the match.