Hah! I nailed the starting lineup - except for Montero instead of the "crippled" Donovan. And the midfield formation looked more like a morphing 1-3-1 instead of the 2-2-1 that I guessed. I totally blew the subs, though. Great call by Dom to play two of his own players the full 90 (Cameron and Davis) instead of letting them rest half the match while wearing out his opposition (especially Beckerman). Some might call it favoritism, but I call it classy.
I have to disagree with a lot of the comments on this thread. I thought this match was excellent!!! When Everton was first announced as the opponent, I thought "Oh great! Seen them already. No desire to see them again. This sucks!" My attitude leading up to the game changed a bit, especially after Timmy's performance in the Confederations Cup. I was looking forward to another stellar performance by the keeper as well as the great combo play by the MLS stars - and I was rewarded with both (and a little extra with the shootout!). How many times are you going to see the best USMNT keeper all time - and possibly best in the world (or at least the best in the most recent major tournament) go up against the #2 or 3 USMNT keeper all time (to me, its a tossup between Keller and Freidel) in a penalty shootout? And the fingertip saves Howard made during the match, especially in the last few minutes? Despite being decked out in RSL gear, I had to stand up and cheer for the guy after each save. The hard work and team play that has become the mantra of Everton football was not as boring as it seemed when I saw them two years ago, either. The individual talent of Saha up top also added to their excitement. As for the MLS all stars, Ljungberg did not disappoint! There were several people in my section asking who he played for/where he was from/etc because they were so impressed by his play. For me, it was much more rewarding to watch him than it would have been to watch Beckham. It seemed like he fought off opponents several times to maintain possession single-handedly and made great decissions on his pinpoint passing. Beckerman played like an All-Star, and Will stepped up perfectly in his place with his normal hard-nosed play we have come to enjoy at RSL (with the exception of the last month he was with Canada). I was a little disappointed that Javi seemed to be a step down from the level of the starters, but was not aware of his injury which could account for some of that. In the end, my dad and I left the stadium telling each other it was the most exciting all-star match we had watched. Tremendous talent displayed on the field, both teams appeared to play with purpose, and the end result (albeit a shootout loss instead of a win) was just a cherry on top. Almost makes me want to travel to an All-Star match in the future!
I guess I'm in the minority, but I absolutely hate shoot-outs. It's like ending a basketball game with a free throw contest. Blecccch. I enjoyed the old NASL style shootouts, because there was actually some one on one competition involved, not just a skills contest. They were like the hockey shootouts and were pretty exciting, but I still don't like the fact that they decide a game. I guess that's what the American soccer public wants... but to me it is just like NBA all-star weekend when they have those stupid skills contests that bore me to tears.
I thought the All Star game was fantastic. Unlike many of the other sports All Star events in which it is only a showcase and an aberration of the game it represents, like the NBA All Star game, this was an actual hard fought game. I arrived late because of work, sitting down about 8 minutes into the first half, my wife and kids getting there well before. My wife did mention the line for shirts was chaotic but other that that we all had a great time. I don't particularly care for or need a penalty kick shoot out but for the All Star game it seemed appropriate. If you are giving away a trophy it makes sense. In my mind it certainly looked as though Everton enjoyed hoisting their well fought for reward. In the regular season a tie is what it is and that is just part of soccer. It along with all of the other quirks that make up the game of soccer is what brought me in. I pray MLS never tries to Americanize the game to draw in fans. Given time the game will bring them. Gimmicks only work for a short time, just ask the Arena Football League. I could not believe that Spencer Checketts, who I have always liked in the past, chose to focus on what He believes is wrong with MLS during the post game. What a wet blanket. You have the 2nd or 3rd most recognizable event during the season behind the playoffs and maybe Superliga and you bitch about penalty kicks. UNPROFESSIONAL. Just thinking about pisses me off. All in all it was a great experience. One that I hope we get to have again in the future.
I was able to catch the last half of the game and I thought it was pretty good. Of course, I cheered for Will and Javi whenever they touched the ball and had a good laugh at the guy with the afro (how retro!). Too bad we lost, but like the announcer said, the MLS didn't loose to a European team as much as they lost to an American goalie.
+1. Watched online w/ my curious brother--from boat deck anchored very far away. RioT dazzled--never looked better. Good show. SLC/RSL should be proud. Much more next week.
I wish the opponent would have been somebody I could hate a little more. I think part of my disinterest in general was that I'm a huge fan of both Howard and Keller (and as I mentioned before Thornton). Being a former goalkeeper I tend to follow their careers and they are usually my favorite players. I was really torn and hated to see it come down to a "keeper contest" although it looked like both Keller and Howard enjoyed it and kept it friendly and positive. How often do you see goalies going back and forth laughing and giving each other five between kicks? That was cool and the one redeeming aspect of the kicks I guess. I enjoyed getting to watch the two all-time greatest US goalies (and two of the best to ever play in the world in my view) in one game (how often do you ever see that?!), but it would have been nice to have somebody to vote against. Maybe when Beckham gets his wish and goes back to Europe his team can be the automatic pick for all-star games until he retires. Heh heh. I think they could have easily squished an OT in there. They wasted a lot of tv time before doing kicks, and they were only cutting into the stupid nightly NASCAR rundown show. It isn't like there was more compelling programming. OT is the way to go. My idea? The goals get a foot wider and taller every 5 minutes in OT until eventually they are as big as the entire backline. Now THAT will bring the american audience in.... especially when they start playing multi-ball in the second OT! WOOHOO!!!
I had a blast last night. I like the MLS and all, but I was cheering for Everton. And besides a little incident I had with the event staff after the game while trying to get a pic of the Everton players. I had a fun time. Does anyone know what happened to the Everton player that was taken out on a stretcher after the game?
oh he was wearing an Everton shirt so I was getting worried. But if its just freddie then thats fine.
Several co-workers and extended family attended the match as RSL virgins and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as did I. The temperature and lighting were ideal, the match picked up in intensity in the second half, and as a fan of the USMNT - how can you not enjoy Howard being an absolute manchild out there? Glad to hear it looked great on TV. We have more of the top MLS teams coming in as the year continues, so the cultivation of a more engaged fan base is going to matter. Spencer Checketts rant about PKs was embarassing. Not only did he beat the topic to death, but he continues to demonstrate a business-first mentality that shows why he still doesn't get the mystique of soccer IMO. What would have sold me on the Checketts would have been to see them (or other front office people) down on the concourse distributing t-shirts and undoing the logistical debacle the team created. For as much money as they're pouring into the franchise, they should expect better management on concessions, season ticket holder appreciation etc and the like. But don't let that take away from the game - which was friendly, engaging, and altogether pleasant to attend. Also, half the RSL team was piled up in Section 23, and they were engaging and terrific. I was able to catch Yura's eye and thank him for saving the season last week (which I honestly believed he did). The fans would chant their names to get them to stand up (as when they chanted for Rimando after Thorton's injury). Having the players in the stands is a nice touch.
I also found it interesting that Checketts never misses an opportunity to get himself on national tv in a fancy suit, but other than that.... the guy seems to be a ghost (with the exception of his son pushing his agenda). Why on earth did he need to appear two times and be announced on the field twice? It seemed like Andy Williams talk was focused on Checketts as he was standing there like a goof staring at Andy. It was a nice gesture to let him speak and I LOVED it, but Checketts standing there for his kudos seemed a little self serving. For all Checketts has done to help, it is interesting that there were still a need for so many fundraisers and whatnot and Andy was given a nice paycut a while back. I don't know the whole story though.... as usual. I think your idea is FANTASTIC. Why aren't the bigwigs helping out with fan stuff? How cool would it have been to get your season ticket holder shirt and scarf handed to you by Nick Rimando or Robbie Findley or Robin Fraser or JK or Mr. Checketts himself? They were there hanging out. I am sure they could have put in 15 minute shifts to help and spread some goodwill. I would have loved it... especially for the little kids that were sweating in line (and didn't end up getting a kids sized shirt). I've said I'd be willing to help with giveaways and stuff and I'd do it for free. They just need to ask. Give me a Sierra Mist when I'm done and have me finish before the game starts and I'm happy to help every single week. I'm a tenured teacher.... so my summers are pretty easy going. I couldn't find Nick when Thornton got hurt, but I heard the roar and saw everybody looking up. I saw a few players over there (I am in 26) but I couldn't pick him out. We were cracking jokes in our row saying it would be like pro wrestling and Nick would jump the rail in street clothes all ready to play. How hilarious would that have been?! I think that would have gone down as an all-time awesome moment in sports history if he would have run down towards the field like he was ready to play. Too bad he didn't do it. He would have been even more golden in my book.
And that's something some of "us" (ok.... it was just me and I feel like a total doofus) who were mouthing off about him weren't aware of and realized this morning after reading the news. Where's the embarrassed emoticon, because I need it? As a migraine sufferer myself I can't believe he stayed in and played as well as he did with a migraine that was bad enough to require hospitalization. They are completely and totally debilitating. I've only had 2 like that in my life and I thought I was going to die. Literally. I thought I had a brain aneurysm. I wonder if the altitude played into it at all. Some people have a real rough time with the air up here. It takes a couple of days to get used to, even for athletes... and with all of the travel, training, the heat, the amount of time he played so hard, it was just an awful situation. I hope he gets well soon. I am really looking forward to the game against the Sounders. They were my team growing up and I am stoked they were re-born and I get to see them play against my new hometown team. Get well Freddie.
Awesome game! One of the most fun games in any sport that I've attended. That was my first with a penalty shootout and, man, that was fun! Tim won that game - and I wasn't sad that he did, but I had a blast cheering for Keller. He looked surprised and maybe a bit embarrassed that we screamed and cheered as much and as loudly as we did before each PK. It was awkward cheering for Blanco, and I just couldn't bring myself to cheer for Casey. I didn't boo him, but it was hard not to see "cRapid" on his uniform. I got over it in the 2nd half though and clapped a bit. I hope Freddie is ok - he played hard and well. I was a bit disappointed that Everton wasn't in blue though...
Did anyone else see the fan that jumped out of the stands between Sections 2 & 3 after the match? Landon Donovan had come over to pick out some fan/friend/kid or whoever it was he was going to give his shin guards to. Then this bozo leaps out of the stands and gives Landon a big bear hug, lifting him about two feet into the air. Landon was just laughing the whole time. Security didn't think it was too funny though! I think the guy knew what was coming and just walked peacefully with security to the corner of the stadium, probably to receive his citation.
So was it actually a migrane Ljungberg was suffering from, or was it just a bad headache/dizziness caused by a combination of the heat/altitude/90 minutes of extreme exertion he put on the pitch? The dude worked his butt off all night and I never saw him head to the sidelines to get a swig of water. I think some of those guys needed fans to throw them a bottle after their efforts, kind of like Wingert earlier this season.
Excellent game. Atmosphere was great, good play by both teams (although I thought Davis' goal was an ugly one), and the shoot-out was awesome. Both keepers made some great saves (especially Timmy's one fist save). I also enjoyed the carnival and meeting some of the players. Chris Albright was a cool guy, and it was cool to meet Rimando and Mathis (I haven't been able to make it to past meet the team nights). My favorite part of the match occurred during warm-ups. The Everton trainer took a shot, and it went over the crossbar and nailed a little Mexican kid (I'd guess around 4) who had his head painted like a soccer ball. The Everton trainer jumped the boards, and came to check on him. Tim Howard then came over, and from where I was seated it looked like he gave the kid a hug. He then gave him his training jersey. To top it off, the manager came back out with another jersey (most likely an autographed one), and gave it to the kid. It was nice to see that both guys were such class acts. RSL players usually laugh and say sorry when they hit people with stray balls (Mathis nailed an older woman in the stomach last week. He said sorry, but didn't approach her). Very classy move by Howard and the Everton guy. I might have to buy a jersey from them to give them my support.
I couldn't agree more with this statement in regards to the television coverage from ESPN. Went back and watched game later, and Rio Tinto literally was dazzling. It looked great - Let's hope somewhere in the world, some young, up and coming player, may have seen a few minutes and thought, that may be a pretty cool place to play football..... It is so cool to have this gem in our backyard - thanks Dave!!!!! This league is making some serious strides forward. Expansion in Seattle, Portland, Vancouver.... all the new stadiums.... good stuff.