Game 3: Ben Cup Leg 1: DC United @ Real Salt Lake

Wow. Am I glad that I go to the Ben Cup games. Last year was RSL's first win of the season, all the way in June. This year was an absolute drubbing, resulting in a 4-0 win, RSL's biggest ever. Normally, I'd go through the motions and write a full review, but even though it was not perfect, I'm not in the mood to be critical. You saw it, and if you didn't, do yourself a favor and find it somewhere. Truly entertaining. Anyway, without a full written review, that just leaves us with the grades and the regular "Pros and Cons."

Pros:
-The Ben Cup is basically assured of keeping the Ben Cup, so for the 3rd year (of 3), DCU will not win it.
-FOUR goals. Four. By RSL. Just think about that.
-Beckerman finally came back to life, scoring two goals.
-Sturgis started for Talley and looked good.
-Dema Kovalenko was just great. Aggresive, in control, and always moving play forward.
-Findley. His touch was still rough, but it's hard to argue with a goal and an assist in 20 minutes. Plus, the goal was hilarious. Just a terrible goal from a defensive standpoint. Go watch it and laugh!
-Granted it was when the game was solidly put away, but Beltran looked good in limited minutes.
-The central defense was very strong. Borchers is the new Eddie Pope back there, I tell ya.
-The absolutely dejected "We paid to see THIS?" body language from the little Barra Brava corner.
-The attacking mentality by RSL in the second half. Instead of the usual RSL 'Let's sit on a lead' game, the took the game to DCU and played a full 90.
-Just about everything else.

Cons:
-Joy still leaves guys way too open and seems to lose sight of what he's doing at times.
-Deuchar was out of control in the first half, bad calls or no. He needs to keep his emotions in check.
-There were still a couple of dangerous moments on defense, including a scary 1st half moment where Emilio got an opening WITH THE BALL in the 18. Most of the dangerous plays seemed to come from the sidelines.

1st Half grade: A
2nd Half grade: A+

Player grades:
Nick Rimando-7 Didn't have much to do, but was strong when called upon.
Chris Wingert-7 Another quietly solid game from Wingert.
Nat Borchers-8 Very strong on the back line, stymied DCU all game.
Matias Mantilla-8 Solid game, more under control than usual.
Ian Joy-6 Good for the most part, still a couple lapses.
(Tony Beltran 83)-7 Didn't have time to do much, but looked capable.
Dema Kovalenko-9 Simply brilliant. Involved somehow in nearly every good play.
Javier Morales-7 Played well, occasionally took a touch too many.
(Andy Williams 63)-8 Saw the game well, good passing.
Nathan Sturgis-8 Carey who?
Kyle Beckerman-9 Solid defensively...oh yeah, and two goals...
Kenny Deuchar-7 Missed a header or two, let emotions get the best of him, but when under control was very strong.
Fabian Espindola-8 Put his body on the line repeatedly (including getting kicked in the face), looked good.
(Robbie Findley 70)-8 First touch keeps him from a 9, but otherwise brilliant.

Game grade: A+
4-0. Against a solid DC team. Basically singlehandedly winning the Ben Cup. Brilliant. Possibly RSL's best game.

RSL Man of the Match:
Dema Kovalenko - Yes, Becks had two goals (and it was a VERY close decision), but without Dema, RSL may not have gotten one. Great game.

Assclown of the Match:
The ref was seemingly MLS usual: pretty awful, but this weeks "AOTM" is dedicated to DC fans and goes to Tommy Soehn. You pay Gallardo over $1.5 million and have him sit the bench? I don't care how many games you've played recently, get his lazy ass on the field! Then, you play a ton of reserves and go with a 3-man backline? Without your DP midfielder or your holding mid stalwart (the injured Olsen) to control the game? Stupid.