Good points being made...some observations... Rizo and Blake both received really stupid yellow cards. Blake's was particularly stupid since Rizo had just gotten one within the last 10 minutes for roughly the same thing. I as not terribly impressed with Piserchio (at least in the second half, when he spent more time on our side of the field). Blake looked decent out there. I expected him to not be all that great (since we haven't really seen him this year, despite our lack of depth), but he showed some decent passing and he seems to have a lot of speed. He turned into the box at the right time, drawing the PK. He took the shot when he had it and got his first goal. He was infinitely better than I expected. The one knock was the yellow card, which I thought was foolish to take. He also seemed pretty tired at times in the second half. Right now, I'd rather give Blake a chance to earn that third forward role over Zizi. I totally agree about Zizi. Zizi, while not exactly a stud on the field (he had a nice run here and there though), looked better playing D than I thought he would. Ruiz's pk call was a total dive. I couldn't tell from the angle whether the callback was bogus or not. Where were the Rapids fans? We were about the only ones standing on our side of 123 (and we saw a couple on the other side of 123), and we saw a handful in 122. Hopefully the Guat Nat fans who showed up took some interest in the Rapids and will show up to some more games. Well, except for the ones who were throwing food, bottles & (!!!!) a football onto the field after the Wes Hart pushing match and subsequent red card. I wish regular Rapids fans would become more into the games like the Guat Nat fans were (well, except for the wave, which should die a slow painful death This was a much better game than I expected it to be, and I am glad that a lot of the younger bench players got a chance to shine a little - especially Blake. Finally - I used to think our National Anthem was long. Not anymore. Not even close.
I have to admit, it seemed like the Guatamalan fans were actually pretty hard on the fish...at least in our section. I assumed that they would bend over backwards to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I would have liked to have been there but my daughters choir concert took precedence, she also would have preferred to be at the game I appreciate everyone's comments and it looks like it was an interesting game to watch, mostly to see players we don't normally get to see, Rizo lives, for example. Now I'm hoping I can exchange my tickets for additional playoff tickets. My first request to the office was non-committal, I'll try again
My bad. I was thinking only of the team taking the restart wasting too much time, which you will see called on keepers when they putz around before a goal kick late in the game. Yeah, if the defending team is preventing the restart from being taken quickly, that's definitely a bookable offense. Also, no offense to the Rapids, but if their team with a bunch of reserves can comfortably beat the Guat Nats, the US should have no problem if they face these guys in qualifying.
Knowing only what I've heard, that was Guatamala's A-team. I really find it hard to believe though. For the sake of those who weren't there, a short summary of Guat's skill. Powerfull shots,too bad they were far from on frame. Okay ball skills, but really no better if not worse than the Rapids. And about the only danger they posed was on corners and maybe free kicks. It really was shocking how inaccurate their shots were for a national team. Dallas could have won that game.
according to mlsnet.com the Open Cup Final and the Rapids-Guatemala game drew the exact same number of fans, and weather , now that is interesting http://www.mlsnet.com/games/03/trac...L&version=recap Referee: Ali Saheli Referee's Assistants: -Jose Corro; Scott McCaslin 4th Official: Ben Chouaf Attendance: 5,183 Time of Game: 1:51 Weather: Cloudy-and-55-degrees http://mlsnet.com/games/03/tracker....T&version=recap Referee: Kevin Stott Referee's Assistants: -Nathan Clement; Craig Lowry 4th Official: Alex Prus Attendance: 5,183 Time of Game: 1:51 Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-55-degrees
The smaller the country, the longer the national anthem. I think it's law engraved in stone somewhere. Honduras has a long one, too. We got to hear it at Giants Stadium a couple weeks ago. Sung by a baritone who might have been an opera singer once upon a time. It was... and experience.
around 5K sounds accurate to me but they were also alot louder than most Rapids games. Made me kinda ashamed really. I forgot to mention before my thoughts on the "Pat Down" on the way through the gates. All I can say is how insulting. I was sure to ask, "they never "frisk" anyone at any of the other games, so what's changed?" Of course these guys were just doing their jobs.
where I was sitting was great. The parents were in the lower sections and then there were 5 of their kids up near me screaming Go Rapids as their parents were cheering for Guatamala. Cool!!
mlsnet.com is always striving for greatness aren't they? Atlease their site is better than the Rapids'.
I had that same thought. They didn't even frisk me at the USA v Mexico game held here. I spent the entire Guatemalan national anthem trying to get a beer. Was it just my stand, or were all stands obviously staffed by trainees on thier first nite? A much more entertaining game that I thought it would be. I had free tickets and almost decided to pass and stay home and watch the Cubs game. Glad now that I went. Oh! And the siren they have above 127? Did they pay a lot of money for that thing? Because they use it so often that it seems like someone feels they need to get thier money's worth outta it. Use it on goals....i don't see the need to run that thing constantly.
From what I remember from WC qualifying, aren't they just a bunch of hacks? If I recall correctly, their game is to just foul the s--- out the other team, try to take someone out, and then hopefully score on a counterattack. I really don't remember them having much skill to begin with.
I was frisked last Sunday afternoon going to the Broncos-Steelers game. Maybe there is some sort of a hightened terror alert. I haven't paid any attention to that silliness for at leat 6 months now. What is it now green, teal, sky blue, ruby red or butt pink??
Ruiz may have skill, but don't leave him off the Guat hack-list. He's the one that slammed Keller to earn a goal down in Guat during early rounds of qualifying for the last WC.
I found out the spanish name for submarine is "submarino" (sp?) so every time he took a dive I would yell it towards the Guats fans. I think that should be his name instead of that "little fish" thing. Or maybe that is where he got the nickname from!! A little late on the game comments, but I am sorry for those that decided to stay home because I think they missed one heck of a game.