RSL continues its slide toward its worst season ever. With a 4-13-6 record and 18 pts, RSL goes up against expansion club Toronto FC, with a record of 5-13-5 and 20 pts. Two points separate the sides in this battle to see who can be worse. This is the second of two matches between the two sides this season. The first meeting (on July 4th) saw TFC defeat RSL 2-1 at RES in a match where “tradees” Jeff Cunningham and Alecko Eskandarian both notched goals. RSL goes into this match with the following record in its last 5 games: L-L-W-W-L. The last 5 games for TFC look like this: L-L-L-L-T. Moreover, TFC hasn’t scored a goal in MLS play since July 7th (the game after RSL/TFC’s first meeting). RSL has scored in four of its last five matches. This is the last game of a four-game road series for RSL. After the TFC match, four of RSL’s next six (and last) matches are at home. This match is on DK and MLSLIVE.tv.
Well, this is another game I won't be able to watch, but at least we should take three points from it. I think Espindola and Findley will each get a goal, and Nicky will get a clean sheet -- 2-0 under the watchful eye of 'Bitchy', TFCs new anti-seagull hawk.
As perilous as it may be to say this... I'm going to go ahead and guarantee a win for RSL in this one. RSL looked brilliant, at times, against DCU. Good enough to beat most teams in the league, and I think it's representative of a different mind-set for this team. I credit the Argentines for really making their mark. I also credit Coach Kreis for standing his ground and implementing his system. Things could be looking up in the post-Ellinger era (I mean, how could they not?)
We've got a good chance to win this one, especially since they don't have serious offensive threat. Our defense has looked pretty shabby the last couple of games, but not as bad as Toronto's offense. If we lose this one... well, you know.
good...i can finally watch an away match. I say we take out all our frustrations from this year on this team. 6-0 RSL.
Posts by omsdogg about the DC United game: "we're going to wipe this slime off our cleats when we're done w/ them. RSL 4-0 DC." On the DC United pregame post: "We suck! Pick your 11 most out of shape people from out of the stands and enjoy your victory against us!!!" "put every DC player in a cast and give them crutches...and the final score will be DC 6-0 RSL." I'm not trying to make fun of you. But this was just plain funny
Hey cool, we get to see Esky play yet another one of his former clubs! Will he botch an equalizing PK in this one too? Just as I stated in the RSL/DC match thread, there is no way in HELL that Salt Lake gets a result on the road for the rest of this soon-to-be-over campaign. Was their performance promising in the DC match? Sure. But there was no result to be had. Is TFC as good as DC? Of course not. But still...it’s a road match, and well, RSL sucks ass on the road. I predict no points gained against this lackluster TFC squad. That's not saying much. Yet another meaningless prediction: TFC 2:1 RSL But I am certain that I won't be far off. God I love our boys in Red, Blue and Gold. But they still cannot put in a complete performance, deep into this atrocity of a forgetful season. Kreis needs to take a hike, and he can take his loser mentality with him. Edit: I forgot that TFC hasn't scored in a long time. But my meaningless prediction stands, as the dam will most certainly be taken down. RSL is good at helping shit clubs score multiple goals on them.
Boz, perhaps you're being a little too harsh? However, we did let Jaqua score a hat trick. That sucks. We are absolutely TERRIBLE defending crosses in the box. We suck at it on set pieces, but even more so in play. Both of DC's goals came from headed crosses. DC fans seemed to blame Rimando for poor goalkeeping in that situation. However, Kipre and then Lancos who replaced him dropped the player behind them as they watched the ball float over their heads. Jaqua got a couple goals the same way... He was left totally open after being dropped on a cross. We've got to do something about this.
I predict that Rimando will get his fifth shut out in this game. If he doesn't it will be because of our poor defense not Torontos poor offense. Toronto will continue their scoreless drought especially with Dichio still out.
it's cuz i was pissed cuz the moderator on their board changed my post and threatened me w/ some stuff all because some guy quoted me with those things you quoted and said to take it elsewhere. so i posted that i could post where i wanted...then some nazi moderator changed it to "i like cheese" so i was pissed and came back and wrote that we would wipe their slime off our cleats. anyways....long explanation
We need to stop predicting who is going to win games and ask something meaningful, like who will score the sweetest goal against us. Then we will have something to think about.
This game has Pillowfight Of The Week written all over it. It's the Resistable Force (Toronto's offense) vs. the Movable Object (RSL's defense). While RSL's sporting one of the most suck-ass defenses in the history of pro soccer, their ineptitude might only be rivaled by Toronto's window-licking offense. I have no doubt that RSL will score a goal or two, but can they keep Toronto off the board? That's the big question.
Either Esky or Beckerman. Two really strong players for the team at the moment. Hopefully Esky can actually score one this time.
If they can't shoot, will they still score? I don't think it's a matter of us keeping them off the board, I'm not sure TFC is able to get on the board. At least we know that Rimando can stop most of the shots a team puts on goal.
You're going to go on record as saying that either Esky or Beckerman will score the sweetest goal against us, and that you particularly hope is Esky? That's bold man, real bold.
I totally predict a win for this one. A very rare prediction from me... 2-0 RSL, goals from Esky and Morales.
This game has dull kick around written all over it 0-0 with Seitz given the go in goal (Rimando hands deserve a rest). Would not be surprised to see 1-0 TFC on a late goal when RSL vets are gased. If Pope is traded (very unlikely) morale should be the worst of the season, then it will be 2-0 TFC. If TFC hands out seat cushions again, then it will be 3-0 TFC. I feel that the last good effort was left on the field in Washington. Prove me wrong boys.
Not only do I want to see a win, I want us to show some killer instinct and step on their throats by extending their scoreless streak. Alas, we probably get the win and they end their futility streak. RSL 2-1 in a mirror image payback match from the game played earlier in SLC. Interesting how a decent chunk of us are expecting RSL to lose even though we are definitely playing better and we are going against a real hard luck bunch. BTW, everyone on the TFC board expects a TFC win and a goal explosion with RSL coming to town. Guess they haven't been paying real close attention to Rimando lately.
What I see right now with RSL is a team with no real defensive shape, even with it somewhat improved with the addition of Mantilla. We have a lights out goalie who keeps us in games. If he is off a little, we are in real defensive trouble. The defensive insufficiencies have not been as obvious as they were earlier in the season somewhat due to the recent huge improvements in midfield and in the offensive 3rd. Because RSL controls the ball better (not great, just better) in those areas, the defense spends less time under pressure so its weaknesses do not evidence so frequently. What does it mean for this match with Toronto? We should be the favorite. Toronto has shown no evidence they can score and their defense is just as suspect. Our offense is reasonably potent now. So, I see RSL getting multiple goals, call it 3. Because our defense is so exploitable, Toronto may sneak one in, particularly after RSL goes bunker (which is a guarantee once they get a lead). I'm calling it RSL 3:1 Toronto.
Hey, check this out: http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_new..._id=117064&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280 Cunningham?
Hey RSL Fans, Cunningham Could play in Saturday's game. http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/t..._id=117064&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280 Cunni 1 RSL 0
Actually in TFC's last game (against Chicago I think) they were very unlucky not to score. They had a few chances that were very close - including one where the on-target shot on a practical open goal happened to deflect (un)luckily off a defender. I remember thinking how unlucky they were on 3-4 occassions in that game. Bottom line is, in MLS, it's all a crapshoot - teams are so relatively even on talent that on any given day any team can win. It's not like many other leagues where there are a few teams at the top and everyone else... Look at DC (MLS current highest points), they still haven't hit the 2.0 ppg average yet and there is not a top league in Europe where in the past 5 years AT LEAST the top team didn't average 2.0 or better PPG.