RSL and the 2012 US Open Cup Running Thread

I'm just going to whine a little bit here. As an RSL fan exiled to the great frozen north (read MN), I was very, very pumped to get to see the boys play only 20 minutes from my house. Then RSL buys the rights to host and my momentary dream crumbles. Alas, my loss is your gain. I hope attendance is good and you all get to fling your best ole and lena jokes at the opposing side. Perhaps some lutefisk related TIFOs or such.

 

Possibly the best lineup ever. You've outdone yourself this time.

 

It's eye-opening to read the fan commentary.

http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2012/...will-host-3rd-round-usoc-game-real-salt-lake/

On the MLS forums our personalized stalker from Colorado is going after this topic, and for once, I agree with JasonMa. Travelling to Minn would show great sportsmanship. I guess I can applaud that our buying the rights shows intent and commitment from our Front Office, which is positive.

Besides, Sepp Blatter and Co have made it abundantly clear that "Money, bribes, whores, and all manner of corruption are the foundation of the beautiful game" (paraphrased) - so we could rationalize that we're just playing ball. Yet the reality is this is just as unsporting as Ohio State scheduling one-and-dones with Toledo or Poison giving VD to groupies because they can.

Idealism aside - we are gradually seeing reform of the US Open Cup - and the more fair it becomes the more "march madness magic" it will have. I'm for random draws and sticking to them, even though I think RSL was wise to work within the system they have and buy the rights.

 

I have *no* problem whatsoever with this. MN didn't have to sell:

They wouldn't have made the deal if it wasn't worthwhile to them:

(emphasis mine). They may be getting a "windfall" by virtue of winning a coin toss. If RSL wins the coin toss they would likely have lost money to play in the game. Sounds plenty fair to me.

 

I don't blame RSL for taking advantage of the situation. It makes sense to do so. RSL at home is a totally different beast (even with our positive road results lately) than RSL on the road.

What irritates me is the willingness (or so it seems) of these lower teams to just take cash and tell their fans to ******** off. I'm also not cool with USOC claiming these rounds were completely random in selection and forgetting to mention "well, actually, you can buy off these little guys if you so please"

The XI Kreis picks for this one will be really really interesting. He doesn't have another match scheduled until June 16th. If we win this one, we'll have a game on June 5th, but that's still a full week's rest.

I bet we see close to the same lineup as we'll see against Dallas this Saturday. Get some early goals and then rotate players that might need rest.

------------- Reynish
-Tony---Borchers---Olave----Tanaka?
-------------Yordani
-----Ned----------------Will/Steele
-------------Javi/Gil
-----Sabo----------------Espy

 

Hooray RSL for bringing this game home!

In preparation for the match, I think everyone needs to rent Drop Dead Gorgeous, the most anti-Minnesota movie ever made.

 

http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/5/23/3039450/us-open-cup-4th-round-possible-match-ups-announced
if we advance we'll either host Fort Lauderdale or have to go to San Jose...
come on former Miami FC!

 

Holy hell, these Minnesota fans/trolls coming out of the woodwork are nuts-o. Calling RSL fans unclassy and saying we should "honor" the draw. Who the hell are you douche bags? If you want someone to blame and call unclassy, yell at your own damn team and USSF for selling out and allowing it. It's clear that Minnesota was doing what was in their best interest.

Jesus, get over yourselves.

 

How dare you buy the game
why did your FO sell it
HOW DARE YOU BUY IT
answer the question
you killed my puppy

I especially like that each and every one of their comments on fb can be flipped to go right back at them with a simple word change.

example: your owner BOUGHT HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
response: your owner SOLD HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

 

I feel like this should be FIFA's new Slogan/Motto.

 

This is such a punch to the gut. I was very much looking forward to watching RSL play against my Stars. It wouldn't have even mattered if RSL totally outclassed them the entire game and it ended 5-0 or worse. Just watching a MLS team play for the first time would have been sweet. But alas, the Stars FO and owners (in our case, the league owns us) are like most, and just care about money and not the fans.

 

It's clear that RSL must've paid an amount that they couldn't have hoped for at the gate. If we low balled it at all they would've just played at home and made the same cash. It's the USOC's fault that you're allowed to buy it out in the first place. It's quite obvious whatever our offer was is large enough that they're able to take the money and put it to positive use for their program. Aside from the loss of watching their team at home, it sounds like the deal is win/win for each team involved.

 

Trust me, it probably wasn't even 5% what you guys will make at the gate. Stars attendance is like 1,500 a game because there is zero media coverage and the stadium is too far out in the burbs (also on the wrong side of the burbs for a majority of people who live in them). For me its a 45 minute drive w/o traffic. The good thing is beer is cheap ($2) and there is always tailgating before the games through the supporters group (Dark Clouds, a stay-over from the Thunder days).

We did draw about 9k to the home opener at the Mall of America Field™ at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome earlier this year but that was after months of advertising and the fact it was at the dome. If we could draw that much to every game then I would guess the Stars would have kept the rights, but we don't.

While I feel disappointed by their decision, I'm not going to say it wasn't in their best interest to sell the rights.

 

The move was fair and within the rules. Was it sporting is the question? If you disagree with the fact that it's allowed, your argument is not with RSL.

 

I never claimed it was outside the rules nor that my argument was ever with RSL. I was just posting that I was let down by the club for selling. I understand their decision but I still feel it was the wrong one.

 

RSL did come to play against the Minnesota Thunder in 2005. Unfortunately, calling RSL in 2005 an MLS team would be a bit of a stretch, so your point is well-taken.

 

why wouldnt RSL play their A-team? they have like 2 games in 5+ weeks, they're probably getting bored.


oh and a bit of trivia (probably pretty well known), but RSL has scored two hat tricks, robbie findley against columbus in 2009 aannnnndddd Jason Kreis against Minnesota in 2005 in the 6-4 shootout in 2005. i actually remember that game well, listened to it on the radio (no tv), RSL had 3 separate 1 goal leads including one very late in the match (like 85'+). minnesota equalized at the death to make it 4-4, then scored 2 goals in overtime to win it. shambolick defending by RSL, melvin tarley tore RSL up for two goals (he tore colorado up for 4 goals later in the competition).....and was subsequently signed by RSL (who ironically waived matt behncke, my favorite player to make space).

alright, enough of your history lesson for the night.

 

*Sigh*...after the many years of service I've given to RSL, it's ironic that this is how I will be remembered.

 

the only thing that will prevent it from being a full A squad is likely the short amount of time between the Dallas match and this one.

I still think you see at least half the lineup as first string guys.

If we advance, the next round will have all the starters that we possibly can field

 

That was you? I had completely forgotten.