...and for those of us outside the area, the game is on HDNet! This has the potential to be a wonderful night of soccer viewing. We've lost twice at Houston, 2-1 each time, with one of them the infamous "Atiba offsides" game that should've been a tie. Brian Ching is out and the Dynamo striker corps is pretty thin, but Eddie Robinson has been playing fantastic defense and other threats abound. We aren't likely to get anything like the 23 shots we managed against the Crew, so we'll need better than the 1-for-10 strike rate from that game to keep the good results coming. Records: RSL 7-10-5 for 26 points in 22 games Houston 9-5-8 for 35 points in 22 games Last five: RSL LTWWW Houston TLTLW Also, it's time to start actively rooting for results in other conference games. In addiiton to a win for RSL, we need DC to down Colorado, Kansas City to trip up Chivas, and Dallas to defeat Los Angeles.
this is kind of cool to look at, and makes me feel good about going into the game this weekend. im not sure exactly how much weight to put into these ratings, but they can act as a good indicator of what a team is doing over the last few weeks: http://www.matchnight.com/mn-mls.cfm?Page=HEAT RSL could not be in much better of a position to take houston to the shed and lay down a good beating.
Kinda cool. I bet we've never in the history of the club been on top of that chart before. And just think, minus the two stoppage time meltdowns against FCD and Chivas, our last 5 results would have been TWWWW. That woulda been cool. Houston is without Ching (the one threatening forward they have) and Robinson (arguably their best defender). And once again, RSL has reason for payback (Atiba's goal called back for a terrible offside call). Houston has DeRo though, so all bets are off (I think it's finally time the US invades it's neighbors to the north just to get DeRo in a USMNT jersey). Houston has a tough time scoring goals on the road. 8 goals in 9 games. And 3 of those came in one match at KC. However they also lead the league in Goals Allowed on the road. Only 9 goals in 9 games. I figure if RSL can net two this game, we'll get another W (we've scored 11 in our last 5 league matches). Otherwise, I see a tie coming our way. My prediction, 2-0 RSL. Why not.
For "+163", a dollar bet would pay out $1.63. Higher numbers represents less likely results. Lower numbers represent more likely results. Of course, it's in your interest to find the highest possible number next to result you wish to bet on. In RSL's recent wins at NE, at COL, & vs. DCU, the quotes were at or above +400. Thus, a single dollar bet would pay out at least $4--which is outstanding. Occasionally, you will see "negative" numbers quoted. These represent very likely results (a DCU win vs. COL on Saturday, for example). In these cases, -163 means you must first bet $1.63 in order to win full dollar. Not much incentive.
That was my exact thoughts. If we wouldn't have blown those two we would be on a serious roll and tied for fourth.
CHeck out the Projected Finish page. Using the last five games as a guide, if RSL keeps their current form, we'll finish in the nunber three spot tied with Colorado and ahead of Houston, Chivas and LA. Next check out the single table page. Out of 12 teams in the MLS, we are number 7 which is pretty good, but really sucks since four of the other six teams ahead of us play in the West division.
Not strange, but a good question... if anything you should be able to have a better second half than Houston. go on RSL do your thing!!! I have this feeling that the Galaxy and Colorado will be seeing the playoffs from the stands. Good luck with Houston
Question: Anyone know if Jafet Soto will appear tomorrow? Follow-up question #1: If so, what will RSL's line-up look like? Follow-up question #2: If not, is the delay a work-permit situation? Or is his contract still pending?
Soto is training for the first time with the team today, so its unlikely he plays tomorrow. As for the line-up: Garlick Novak-Pope-Stewart-Forko Talley Klein-Williams Ballouchy Kreis-Cunningham
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=376286&root=mls&cc=5901 This wonderful reporter thinks we're playing FC Dallas. funny stuff.
I could be wrong, but I do not believe this game is on MLS Direct Kick this weekend. Only HDnet. Angry...
I have to be out of town on a short vacation and miss this one. Guess there is no way to tape the game since it isn't on the telly. Oh well. I'll try to have fun splashing in the water anyway. Everyone cheer loudly to make up for me!
I'm all excited about our new DVR box from Comcast and the DVD recorder I talked my brother into selling me cheap. Needless to say, I'm a little ticked that this week's game is only on HDNet.
Instead of using one of those polluting, noisy lawn mowers, the Rapids' cheerleaders can just graze on our field and that will keep the grass nice and short.
Jorge Gonzalez, Saturday's referee, is an MLS newbie. Gonzalez has worked only 3 prior MLS matches. In his last outing, the July 29th KC/NE 1-1 draw, Gonzo was reportedly reluctant to blow his whistle. He presented a yellow card (instead of a more deserved red) to Andy Dorman after a particularly nasty elbow to Clint Dempsy's throat. A newer referee with a "hands-off" reputation could be just what RSL needs--especially if Douglas or 'Tiba see action. Cunningham & Garlick are also sitting on 4 yellows and can't afford a 5th. Note: RSL saw the 4th official, Tim Weyland, in the June 9th one-nil loss at Denver (the ugly "lacrosse lines" match).
Just don't be angry with HDNet. We had three home games scheduled with no TV (the only three the rest of the way for us); HDNet picked up all three. At least we have some access (or better put, some of us have access).
You're right - the first is this week. We had two other home matches scheduled for September that the visitors passed on broadcasting, until HDNet stepped in.
Wait a second. Andy Dorman elbowed Clint Dempsey in the throat? I could have sworn they were both on New England. Am I totally out of the loop? Is Dorman not on the Revolution? Or did 2 teammates brawl? Or did someone mean to type a different name?
I hope this is just some Friday night grumpyness and not for real. You are too good at this to back out. You are right on about the refs most of the time and that's good enough for me. Don't make me reach through the monitor and give you a shakin...