Wingert and the U.S National Team

So some quick news here about RSL.
RSL defender Chris Wingert has been selected to practice with the U.S. Mens National team in preparations for their World Cup Qualifying round. The U.S. Mens team is going to be playing Sweeden on January 24th to get ready for their opening game of the qualifying round against Mexico on February 11th.
Wingert has been an excellent player for RSL, and played in 29 games this season. He has been siolid on the back line, and his leadership has been present as Real become known as a team of defense (something that has been undeard of here in Salt Lake City). This is a great chance for him to show Bob Bradley (the U.S. coach) what he can do on the field. Hopefully, we will be able to see him in action.
You can tune into the game on the 24th, which will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel, at 6:30 pm Mountain Time.

U.S. vs. Mexico in Columbus

Last night at www.ussoccer.com, which is the website for the U.S. National team, it was reported that for the 4th year in a row, the U.S vs. Mexico match will be held at Crew Stadium, home of the Columbus crew.  

This is a bummer for those of us who were thinking that the game would be here in Salt Lake City, but the rumors did not turn out to be true.

However, let us all root for the U.S.A. wherever we will be watching, so that we can compete in South Africa in 2010

U.S Rumors

Last Thursday, I was out doing some Christmas shopping for my wife and mom at the new Real team store at Rio Tinto Stadium.  While I was there, the staff mentioned to me that the U.S. Mens National team would be playing Mexico in Salt Lake City.  Well, I have been  searching and searching for any answers to this rumor.

On goal.com, it has been reported that the U.S will be playing Mexico in a World Cup qualifier (this is the final round of qualifying) on February 11, 2009.  I will keep you all posted when I hear a conformation on this game.  

If any of you guys are interested in tickets to this potential game, or any Real Salt Lake game this upcoming season, let me know and I can assist you in getting those tickets.

Greetings From the Champions League

RSL players Chris Seitz and Tony Beltran watching Chelsea play against CFR Cluj in a Champions League match on Tuesday.  They will play the Chelsea Reserves today.

RSL Generation Adidas

Right now, an MLS select team of players from the generation adidas program are over in Europe playing some reserve squads in a pre-season tour.  

Some of our own RSL players are on that squad, and they played their first game on Monday.  They played against the Reading reserves, a squad from England, and they lost 1-0.  

RSL players Chris Seitz, Tony Beltran, and Alex Nimo all started for this squad.  

Their next match will be against the Chelsea Reserves.

Season Countdown

Coming January 10th, to remember the great season that Real Salt Lake had, and to get us ready to the 2009 campaign, I will be counting down the 10 most memorable RSL games of the season.  

These are not necessarily the best games Real played, but they were the most memorable to me.

What were some memorable games for you guys?  Be thinking about it, and let me know what you think of the games that I have selected.  See you on the 10th.

As more RSL news comes in, I will continue to keep you updated.

SEASON OPENER ANNOUNCED!!!

     VS.

APRIL 2, 2009

Well, today the MLS announced the Opening Kick 2009, as well as when each team would be having their home openers.  First, I will let you know the info about RSL, and then we will get into some match-ups that will be worth watching.

The opening weekend for the MLS is March 19-22.  This is one week earlier than it was last year, as the league is hoping to better manage the schedule, especially in the year before the world cup when their will be a lot of international games this summer.  Due to the fact that Seattle is joining the league this year, RSL is going to have a bye week during week one.  I am so disappointed, but hopefully the team can use that week to prepare so that we can start the season off with a victory.

For the second week, Real will open its season on the road, but no information was given on who we will be playing.

In the third week, RSL will have its home opener at Rio Tinto Stadium.  This match will be April 2, 2009.  This is on a Thursday, and will be the MLS Primetime Thursday match-up on ESPN2.  We will be hosting the defending MLS champions Columbus Crew for this match, and it should be a good one.  What a better way than to have your home opener on National television.

Check back later this week for some more team news and for my plans to count down til MLS starts in 2009.

Expansion Draft

On Wednesday, the MLS expansion draft took place.  With the second pick in the draft, Seattle selected RSL defender/midfielder Nathan Sturgis.  

Sturgis was a player that RSL acquired in the trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy that sent Chris Klien to LA for Robbie Findley and Nathan Sturgis.  

Sturgis has not played a lot for RSL, as he has been plagued by injuries.  In this past season, he only played in 3 games.  He had a lot of potential, but was not able to show it.

So, what do you guys think of this selection by Seattle?  Were you pleased by the pick, or would you rather have seen somebody else selected by Seattle?

Expansion Draft

On Wednesday the MLS expansion draft will take place, as the Seattle Sounders will be joining the league for competition in 2009.  Below is the list of players who RSL chose to protect (you were allowed to protect 11 players only), as well as players automatically protected through generation adidas, as well as players who we left unprotected.

Protected

1. Kyle Beckerman
2. Nick Rimando
3. Javier Morales
4. Jamison Olave
5. Will Johnson
6. Yura Movsisyan
7. Robbie Findley
8. Nat Borchers
9. Robbie Russell
10. Chris Wingert
11. Fabian Espindola

Generation Adidas (Automatically Protected)

1. Chris Seitz
2. Tony Beltran
3. Alex Nimo

Unprotected

1. Andy Williams
2. Nathan Sturgis
3. Dema Kovalenko
4. Kenny Deuchar
5. Ian Joy
6. Clint Mathis
7. David Horst
8. Brennan Tennelle
9. Kevin Reiman
10. Kyle Reynish
11. Tino Nunez

What do you guys think of this list?  I must say that I am bummed to see Andy, Dema, Kenny and Ian on this list, but I cannot think of anybody who I would take off of the protected list to protect these guys.  I think that I can get over anybody but Andy leaving us, as his story has really been a focus of RSL this year.  We will have to see on Monday.

Welcome

Hey there everybody, I would like to welcome everybody to my new blog, "View From the North Goal."  In the upcoming 2009 season, I will be watching every home RSL game from the north goal, and I think that this is going to be a great season coming up.  I will have extensive coverage of the RSL off-season, and the season to come, as well as info on other soccer events that are happening around the globe.  

Feel free to leave me a comment.