CONCACAF Champions League

Well, we are in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. For those who are unfamiliar with this tournament, it is the tournament of Champions for those teams from Canada, United States, Mexico, and Central America. The tournament has been going on for a while, and we are heading to the final stretch.
There is only one team from the MLS left in the competition. The Houston Dynamo. In their first match, they had a draw with Mexican club Atlante. The format for this round is to play a home and home series, going by aggregate goals (the total amount of goals in both games). In the all mexican quarerfinal matchup, Cruz Azul beat Pumas 1-0.
There were two suprises this round, as a team from the USL, the Montreal Impact, beat Santos 2-0, a club from Mexico. Also, another USL team, the Puerto Rico Islanders, beat Club Marathon, the champions from Honduras.
It will be interesting to see the second round of games, and how the USL and MLS teams do.

I am sorry, tomorrow I will post games 4 and 3 on the top 10 countdown.

Top 10 COUNTDOWN: #5

RSL vs Columbus Crew

July 12, 2008

Hey there RSL fans.  We are half-way through our preseason countdown of the Top 10 games of the 2008 season.  What have you thought so far?  Here we go with number 5.

This game was very special for me, because this was the first time in the history of the RSL franchise that we were in 1st place in the Western Conference.  After 3 years of always being in last place, this was one of the happiest moments as an RSL fan.  Morales scored an early goal on a beautiful free kick to put RSL up 1-0.  Findley doubled the score in the 78th minute, and that sealed the victory for RSL.  Following the game, hearing that we were in 1st place, was a great moment to be a fan.

Top 10 COUNTDOWN: #6

RSL vs. FC Dallas

October 18,2008

RSL 3-1 FC Dallas

This was a great experience for me.  This was our second game in the beautiful RioTinto Stadium, and the atmosphere couldn't have been better.  We had a great crowd, and they were in for a treat.

The game opened up with an early goal in the 6th minute by FC Dallas.  RSL had a bit of a let down after giving up a goal so early, but they played hard and fought their way back into the game.  RSL was helped out by an FC Dallas red card in the 30th minute, which went to Saragosa, the man who scored the goal for FC Dallas.  Following that card, RSL had more space, and they were able to capitalize. Yura Mosvisyian continued his scoring ways by putting a ball into the back of the net only 7 minutes after the FC Dallas red card.  In the 53rd minute, we witnessed the MLS goal of the year, as Will Johnson blasted a ball into the net, giving Real the 2-1 advantage.  Findley sealed the game in the 86th minute with a beautiful strike in the corner of the goal, and FC Dallas was hit with another red card in the 89th minute.  In the end, it was RSL 3, FC Dallas 1

Top 10 COUNTDOWN: #7

RSL vs. New England Revolution

June 21, 2008

RSL 2-1 NE

This game made my Top 10 Countdown, because this was a good win versus a very good opponent in New England.  It was also interesting how I made it to this game as well.  

My wife and I left Virginia after visiting my family, and as we were flying on the play, I kept checking my watch counting down to game time.  My in-laws picked us up from the airport, and they brought me my car, and I drove straight to the game from the airport, and made it just as they were getting ready to kick off.  Aubrey stayed home for this one, as she was tired after the plane ride.  Now to the game.

RSL gave up an early goal to New England after a defensive mixup with the goalie, and I was getting worried that New England (who was on an eight game unbeaten streak) would dominate the game.  RSL was able to equalize on an own goal by New England, as Morales sent in a ball from a free kick that was deflected into the goal.

In the second half, Tino Nunez scored his first MLS goal to put RSL on top 2-1, and I spent the rest of the match pacing the stands hoping that we wouldn't give up a late goal.  RSL was able to hang on, and I was able to leave happy.

Bone Marrow Drive!!

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that there is going to be a bone marrow drive for Marcia Williams, who is the wife of RSL midfielder Andy Williams.
Marcia has a rare form of lukemia, and they are desperately searching for a doner.
To let you all know, the drive is going to be on Thursday, January 29th, from 3 to 7 pm at Rio Tinto Stadium. Hope to see some of you out there.

RSL Preseason

Today RSL announced their preseason schedule for 2009.  This will be a great chance to find out about some of the new players on the squad, as well as to see how the veterans are doing.

2009 Real Salt Lake Preseason Schedule

Jan. 29-31

Thurs., Jan. 29 — Players report for entrance physicals / fitness testing

Fri., Jan. 30 — Media Day at Rio Tinto Stadium

Jan. 30-31 — Training in Utah (sites/times TBD)

Feb. 2-14 (At Oxnard/Ventura, Calif.)

Sun., Feb. 8 — RSL vs. Ventura County Fusion — 8 p.m.

Fri., Feb. 13 — RSL vs. Shandong Luneng Taishan (China) — 5 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 14 — RSL vs. UCSB or CSU-SLO — 11 a.m.

Feb. 15-17

Feb. 15-17 — Training in Utah (sites/times TBD)

Feb. 18-28 (At Tampa, Fla.)

Sat., Feb. 21 — RSL vs. TBD at University of South Florida — 5 p.m.

Tues., Feb. 24 — RSL vs. TBD at University of Tampa — 5 p.m.

March 1-3

March 1-3 — Training in Utah (sites/times TBD)

March 4-15 (At Charleston, S.C.)

Sat., March 7 — RSL vs. D.C. United — 3 p.m.

Wed., March 11 — RSL vs. Charleston — 5:15 p.m.

Sat., March 14 — RSL vs. Toronto FC — 3 p.m.

Top 10 COUNTDOWN: #8

My match at number 8 in the countdown is 

RSL vs. Colorado

August 29,2008

RSL 2-0 Colorado

This was a match that I was very excited to go to.  Earlier in the season, Real had lost in Colorado 2-0, in a game in which we could have taken 1st place in the western conference.  As this was our only game against Colorado at home this season, I was ready to go and cheer on my Real Salt Lake.  

This was an important game not only in the season standings, but for the Rocky Mountain Cup as well, which is between us and Colorado.

Game Recap: Fabian Espindola had 2 goals in this game, and RSL played excellently against their main rivals.  You could tell that RSL had come to play, and Colorado came out flat.  RSL had their way, and was able to play their style of soccer, and it led to the victory.

This game is number 8 on the countdown because it is a rivalry game, and I am always excited to go and see Real play against Colorado.