VS Game: Real Salt Lake vs FC DallasDate: Saturday, August 18thTime: 8:00 PM [CST]Location: Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah, United States of AmericaWeather Forecast: Clear; H 97, L 64Competition: Major League SoccerTV: Fox Sports Southwest [Local]; Direct Kick [Out of Market]Radio: KFLC 1270 La Voz del PuebloLast Result for Opponent: Lost 2-1 at Vancouver last weekendRecord of Opponent: 13-9-3Last 5 for Opponent: L-L-W-W-L I don't know about you but I'm still mad about the way the game ended last time we were in Salt Lake. It's still hard to imagine us making it into the playoffs after the way the first half of the season went but if we can find a way to win Saturday, we'll definitely have more believers in our midst. Salt Lake has lost 3 straight in all competitions.
I imagine Shea will be. Blas? Keep dreaming. I won't be able to see this game, I'll be in Northern California but I hope to get some good news Saturday night when I check the score. They tend to do well when I don't watch them.
I have a feeling we won't see Blas again in 2012. After DF10's diagnosis/recovery debacle I have no faith in the training staff here, not even after the change.
SH will feel he will not need Shea given FCD's recent victory over Vancouver. He will stick with that youngster DH instead even though Shea only played 10 minutes or so in the Mexico game ... In contrast, Khal Drogo er Beckerman played the full 90 minutes last Wednesday; will he have the legs to put up a good game against FCD ?
Most people in RSL land believe Beckerman will be in the 18 for this match, but that he won't start, and likely not play at all, so he'll be more rested for the CCL fixture the following Tuesday. Regardless, I expect a tight game. RSL v. FCD is always a close affair in SLC.
Do we get De Guzman back? I see him doing much better on short rest than Hernandez. Even though it worked out for us on Wednesday, I suspect we'll have more of our starting pieces of the puzzle out tomorrow night. This team can convince me they're for real with a win, even if our playoff chances are slim.
I don't see any reason that he won't be starting, unless SH just chooses DH over him. His international game for Canada on wednesday was in Florida, so he didn't have to do any major traveling.
Decent chance Vancouver loses all 3 points away to Seattle this weekend. Would be a great thing if FCD can grab the points this game, however unlikely.
It's no longer in our best interest to go for a draw on the road. Balls out, boys: go for three points. Is Marcelin in New Zion with the team?
BTW, funny that it's warmer in Salt Lake for this match than it would be in Dallas tonight. Just a random thought.
Any time Brek has success with the NT, SH plays him. No matter how short the turn around, SH is just not the type to rest him, which is part of Brek's burnout last year. I;d be shocked if he didn't go 90. This will be fun. I'd be happy with a point, ecstatic with three.
Steer: a male bovine (or bull) that has been castrated before reaching sexual maturity - yikes - who thought of this?
Good job by Shea to get that ball over there quickly. Too many times you see the offside because the passer is too hesitant or bumbling to play the early ball.
Nailed it. Is anyone getting the feeling that maybe ferriera was the one coaching the team during the 2010 cup run? seriously no matter how moronic shellas coaches (shea loan striker, hernandez starting again) when DF10 is on the field the boys are different.
What an amazing game. Great game. So many positives to list ... Castillo actually finishing - again, Hartman standing on his head - again, and Ferreira coming up huge when it mattered - again. And great skill from Jackson to create that chance. If Blas decides to come back, this team actually has a chance. Have to edit something that I almost forgot ... looks like FCD lost another central defender to a concussion. The one negative. Hedges > Pertuz.
I did not think we had any business winning this game though we did get quite a few counter attack opportunities. Hartman absolutely stoned Real Salt Lake; I was actually worried Hartman was injured during the collision with Hedges and would not be able to keep making great saves while Real was pressing again and again and again. Once again, the opposing team was slicing and dicing our team with intricate passing and possession. Poor tactics and/or not enough quality players ? I'll take it; It's hard to believe Ferreira makes that big a difference to the team but the results are very suggestive.
How was it? Those of us in California were forced to drink with our roommates instead of following the game cast on espn.com Castillo and DF10 scored; Shea and DF10 with assists... A good game?