I'm trying a new format on my reviews to try and cut down the length. Not every game requires the 'War and Peace' treatment. Right now I'm just testing things so this will be a work in progress. If you've got any suggestions, let me know!
1st Half Grade: C-
Judging by the scoreline (and the reaction from people across the internet), I must say I was expecting worse in this one. RSL played pretty well in the 1st half, controlling the first 15 minutes and then outplaying DC over the last 10-15. The 15 in the middle though? All DC, all the time. RSL's defense held up pretty well to only allow one goal. Of course, the goal was on a PK called after a Dema Kovalenko handball in the box. If you haven't seen it, it was called when Dema went in for a sliding tackle and the DC cross hit him in the arm. Intentional? No way. A soft call? Perhaps. If the shoe were on the other foot would I want/expect a PK for RSL? Definitely. So I can't really say too much about that call, I can forgive it. Plus, if RSL's midfield play could lead to an attack, or our forwards could find some seams, perhaps we'd get a shot or two off and maybe even *gasp* score!
2nd Half Grade: F
Honestly, RSL didn't play all that bad as a team for most of the second half, but any time you give up THREE FREAKING GOALS in a half, it's hard to get any other grade. I'm not sure why, but that's two games in a row that RSL has actually improved after going 3 in the back. I know we can't score, so loosening up the defense is probably a bad idea, but if results don't change soon, maybe Jason should look into it. How bold are ya? Anyway, before you ask, let's get to the 2nd PK. This one I'm not so forgiving on. Mainly because the foul that should have been called was the hold outside the box. Emilio never would have been slowed down enough for Talley to catch him if he hadn't been held outside the box. The tackle itself looked fairly clean, but it was from a weird angle and from behind, so I can understand it, even if I've seen far worse go without being called. Talley really was terrible on that sequence, with the turnover that started to DC break and the tackle that was whistled for a PK. Nice job buddy! Either way, I think this was a pretty iffy call, like I said, since the original, blatant foul was outside of the box. The Quaranta volley goal was nice, but too easy. Morales fell asleep and let him go free on the weak side, and with Borchers distracted on the 3-man backline, he never even saw him to pick him up. In fact, RSL's weak side defense was exposed numerous times in this game, including on the Gallardo goal. Borchers missed the header, letting the ball fall to Gallardo near the end line. He then bent the laws of physics and volleyed it into the back of the net. An amazing goal. If you haven't seen it, check out the 'video highlights' link on the MLSnet game recap. RSL did pick up what ended up being the Ben Cup winning goal after they went down 3, with Beltran getting on the scoresheet for the first time as a pro by flicking a header to Talley off of a corner. Talley basically just ran into the ball and bulldozed it into net. And with that, RSL are your 2008 Ben Cup Champs, oh yes!
Pros:
-Olave looks like he could be the real deal.
-Joy at least looked like he belonged on the field for stretches.
-Chris Wingert looks good as of late.
-RSL looked to still be putting in some effort, even down 4-1 late.
-We got to see that goal by Gallardo. Wow.
-RSL are your Ben Cup Champions (by a score of 5-4)!
-Thomas Rongen's bow ties. Hilarious!
Cons:
-Deuchar and Beckerman were nowhere to be found.
-Movsisyan tripping over the ball, trying to force through 5 defenders, and never, ever passing.
-Weak side defense.
-Complete ineptitude going forward. Can't cross, can't send through balls, can't get shots on net (13 shots with only 4 on goal [31%]! DC had 16 & 11 [69%])
-This RSL team looks like every other RSL team.
-Thomas Rongen's bow ties. Horrendous!
Game grade: D-
Ouch. RSL's problems in attack are back again. You're telling me that Indra is actually worse than our current strike force? I don't believe it (plus, he'd sell RSL jerseys overseas. Oh well.). Gallardo is the real deal, I can't wait until we "earn" our DP. That'll be sweet.
Player grades:
Nick Rimando-6 Some decent work, not a lot he could do on most of the goals
Chris Wingert-7 Pushed forward, defended well, nice game for Chris
Nat Borchers-5 Probably his worst game for RSL so far.
Jamison Olave-6 Showed some flashes, he could be a good one
Ian Joy-4 Again, positioning problems, but sadly probably his best game for RSL
(Andy Williams 58)-5 Played well, but too many of his patented shots to the moon
Dema Kovalenko-5 Very up and down, let frustration get to him
Javier Morales-3 Nice free kicks, otherwise contributed nothing to the attack
Carey Talley-4 Good game other than the horrendous turnover/PK combo play
Kyle Beckerman-3 Completely absent from the game, we need more from Becks
(Tony Beltran 73)-5 Decent in limited time
Kenny Deuchar-3 I honestly thought that I'd missed him being subbed off at one point
Robbie Findley-4 RSL's best forward on the day. That's not saying much
(Yura Movsisyan 59)-3 PASS THE @!%*$ BALL!!!
RSL Man of the Match:
Chris Wingert - For the second straight game, Wingert has been the best player on the field for RSL. He looked good in the back, in the midfield, and even pushing forward on the wings. He even put a decent corner in. Too bad for RSL that our best production is coming from right back, but well done Chris!
Assclown of the Match:
Luciano Emilio - He must have spent the summer at the "Cuauhtemoc Blanco School of Flopping." Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
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