RSL hosts the Wizards in a relatively rare Wednesday night game; all three of the RSL Argentine signings are in the lineup for this one. Beckerman put a wicked shot on goal in the first fifteen seconds for RSL that Hartman pushed clear, while one of the Argentines, the defender Matilla, scored on a header on the ensuing corner kick. 1-0 after 45 seconds. Five minutes in, Eskandarian shoots wide on a breakaway on a pass from new midfielder Morales.
MLS Week 22 Continuous Thread [Multiple R] Wow, what an exciting start for RSL. Mantilla introduces himself to the home crowd with a goal in the first minute!
Espindola with his first MLS goal! 2-0 RSL. Argentina is the country for foreign talent these days in MLS.
One hell of a good goal for the second of RSL's three new Argentines, Fabian Espindola, on a gorgeous pass from Eskandarian. Now Morales needs one for the Argentine Trifecta. 2-0 RSL.
So if RSL wins then they'd jump over LA sending the Galaxy to the basement -- setting the stage for quite a battle this weekend.
My God--who is this team in red? Totally unrecognizable. And did you see Kreis doing his best to hide a grin as Espindola (in the ol' #9) did the Kreis flips after his goal? RSL + 3 Argentines last April - Ellinger = would've been a contender For a playoff spot, at least. All boats have been lifted by the Argies. Even Chris Brown looks good out there tonight. Amazing.
Argentina and Colombia with a close second in terms of best foreign talent in 2007 MLS. How much was the Gomez signing for DCU? Argie Colombano in for City.
An unmarked Conrad blows an open chance to pull KC within one; the Wizards have come out much stronger this half.
KC looking a lot sharper since Colombano entered, and could have a goal or two with decent finishing. It's all about the Argentines tonight. RSL's subs were kind of puzzling.
Morales is recovering from a rotator cuff injury, which kept him out of what may have been his first match last weekend, so that was a necessary change. We generally like Andy Williams but as a 20 minute guy, not 45. The sub for Pope - ? Two goal lead, game on Saturday, Pope with a team leading (by 400 minutes!) 1700 minutes played, and a chance to see Mantilla in there? That said, neither Espindola nor Eskandarian are really in 90 minute shape, so suns there might have been a good idea, too. Johnson makes something out of nothing, 2-1.
Goal of the week? Try Goal of the Year candidate in my book. That buildup was great, finish the cherry on top.
I like how Johnson didn't look the least bit surprised when it went in. He didn't even look at the goal before he shot it from 25 yds out on a half volley.
He's not a guy who'll help you shut down a game, though - that would seem to be a situation for a defensive mid. Instead, Harris for Talley later on? I don't really get it.
Talley reportedly feeling light headed, hence the sub - but man has RSL totally lost its defensive shape.