7/28 The NERds @ RSL

This review will be a little less in-depth than some others, but I will do my best. The reason being that I watched much of the game in fast forward (yay for dvrs) and with all the new players on the field for RSL, it was hard to tell who was who. Anyway, onward and upward...

RSL came out pretty strong and I would say nearly dominated the first 25 minutes or so. They seemed into the game and ready to really give it some effort. However, even during this good stretch, a familiar problem popped up (one that would eventually cost them a chance at winning the game). That problem is RSL's inability to set up a dangerous attack. When the passes are there, the runs are not. When the runs are there, the passing is not. That having been said, I think RSL missed Esky a LOT in this game. Chris Brown contributed little to nothing and I think Alecko would have found a way to make his presence known. Anyway, at about 25 min in, the NERds finally decided to show up and start playing with RSL. Despite much of what I have heard and read, I do not think the Revs dominated the rest of the half. They outplayed RSL for stretches, but I think the rest of the half was pretty even. The big difference was that NE has some quality attacking players who were able to make their attacks dangerous, whereas RSL's attacks usually just sort of sputtered out. RSL went into the half down 1-0 after another of their trademark defensive breakdowns (it doesn't matter who's on the field, RSL can always throw together a good defensive lapse). A nice pass to the edge of the penalty area led to a beautiful header pass from Twellman to Noonan. Noonan, who had, oh....about 30 feet of empty space around him, made a nice juke move and buried the ball past Rimando for the goal. Where was the defense on the play? I'm not really sure. Who was supposed to be marking Noonan? No idea, they were so far away that you couldn't find them. Is it a good idea to leave Pat Noonan WIDE open on the edge of the six yard box? Not if you want to win. Half time score: NERds 1, RSL 0.
Half grade: B (higher without the defensive lapse)

The second half started out more like an RSL game normally does. With the other team in charge. RSL tried to hang around, but the attack looked very weak and was very turnover prone. In the 59th minute the NERds subbed in Khano Smith who soon after took advantage of another RSL defensive miscue (very similar to the 1st-WHERE is the defense???) to blast a wide open shot on goal. However, this one bounced off the crossbar and to RSL who put it out for a corner. On the ensuing play, Smith got another shot from nearly the same spot (although actually somewhat defended) and put it about 8 miles over the goal. Memo to New England: Don't let Smith shoot from there, he can't hit it. Even fat little me would have buried one of those two shots... Soon after, Andy Williams (or, if he played basketball, A-Will; basketball nicknames are SO clever) was given a debatable straight red on a hard, but not especially dirty, tackle on Dorman. Strangely enough, after going a man down (and after the subs of Watson and K. Brown) RSL picked it up and was actually the better team for quite a while. They finally applied some offensive pressure and it paid off when Beckerman drew a penalty after a nice pass from the wing from Kyle Brown. Beckerman went into the teeth of the defense (with 3 NERds in the area), got taken down, and earned the PK. Carey Talley stepped up and put it away to tie the game at 1. You could color me shocked (or color me badd..."I wanna sex you up!"....ahem, sorry). Kreis soon after made the sub of Harris for Findley (by the way, FSC announcers, it's Findley with an E, find-LEE, not Findlay with an A, find-LAY...stupid...), obviously going for the tie. Harris brought fresh legs, but also his defensive qualities from playing D-mid. Of course, being RSL, it didn't work. About 80 minutes in, the NERds "earned" a free kick after a nice dive by Noonan right outside the box. In NE's defense, Larentowicz hit an absolute scorcher of a free kick that beat Rimando to make it 2-1. After that, RSL played with the usual defeatist attitude they usually do after going behind and coasted in for the loss.
Half grade: C+

Pros:
-The early intensity was something that has been lacking all year.
-Sturgis, Wingert, and especially Beckerman are all obvious upgrades.
-RSL did actually score.
-They hung around even after going down a man.

Cons:
-The announcers-mispronounciations and too much NE love.
-The refs, as always. Can't MLS get some refs who are consistent and don't fall for EVERY dive???
-The same old defensive lapses.
-The offense needs work.
-Esky's injury

Game grade: B-
An improvement, and against a good team, but more work is obviously needed.

Player grades:
Nick Rimando-6 Solid, but unspectacular
Jean-Martial Kipre-6 Made some nice runs on offense, defense was so-so
Ritchie Kotschau-6 Quiet, but I suppose that's good
Eddie Pope-6 (See Nick Rimando)
Chris Wingert-6 Some nice crossing, defense was hit or miss
Kyle Beckerman-8 Good hustle, earned a tough PK
Nathan Sturgis-6 Decent, curious how he'd do on RSL's back line
sub(Jamie Watson 70')-6 Didn't get all the way into the game it seemed
Carey Talley-7 Bonus point for a nice penalty
Andy Williams-5 OK game, but not the good game RSL needs from him
Robbie Findley-5 Has been pretty quiet since DC game-injuries bothering him?
sub(Atiba Harris 73')-6 Had a nice play but was on for RSL's "mopey time"
Chris Brown-4 Was he on the field? Esky may have made the difference in this one...
sub(Kyle Brown 61')-7 Had some nice moments, started the play that earned the PK

RSL Man of the Match: Kyle Beckerman (did RSL fleece the crapids or what???)

Assclown of the week: (tie) Shalrie Joseph & the Fox Soccer announcers
Joseph played dirty, dirty, dirty...some 'nonchalant' elbows, shoves, etc. etc. Play soccer, not "6th grade bully."
The announcers sounded like they were hometown announcers for the NERds. One completed pass became "20 minutes of domination by New England." And learn to pronounce Findley. Seriously...