Game 13: SJ vs. RSL: What's Indra Up To These Days?

Turdriffic. That's the word I'd use to describe RSL's latest 0-0 debacle at Rice-Eccles. That now makes it two straight home games where RSL has thoroughly outplayed the competition and not been able to win. I guarantee that those 4 points will come back to haunt RSL by season's end. Even now, it would put RSL near the top in the West. But I digress, on to the review!

First Half Grade: C-
A very boring first half. In fact, at different times I got up and went and got something to drink and then later to make a sandwich. Of course, I didn't miss much. The highlight was Jason Hernandez's stupid foul on Findley in the 44th for his second yellow (ie a red). Although it was scoreless at halftime, things were looking up for RSL. They had slightly outplayed San Jose at even strength; up a man, how could they not win?

Second Half Grade: F
By being RSL, that's how they could not win! A complete lack of finishing, which resulted in a game total of 24 shots, with a whopping FOUR on goal (according to the MLSnet Match Tracker). That's a whopping 17%! Seriously, I'll get paid to play soccer if that's as well as you have to do! Sign me up! Anyway, combine that with a very lacksadaisical attitude and an odd substitution of Nunez for Deuchar not even 60 minutes in and you have a 0-0 tie, even with the extra man. This was vintage RSL: shots missing the goal by 30 feet and no one providing any life or passion. Meanwhile, Kreis stoically stood on the sideline (at least, every time they showed him he was). Dude needs to get on his team, light a fire under them. They obviously weren't going to do it themselves. So while RSL completely controlled the second half, due to the man advantage, their lack of heart and attack leads to an F.

Pros:
-RSL still unbeaten at home.
-Rimando gets his third straight clean sheet.
-The defense looked pretty good when tested early on.
-We get Andy back next game right?

Cons:
-No passion at all. I think I cared if they won more than they did!
-Nunez showed me nothing in extended minutes.
-Is it too soon to call Cordoba a bust? He's done nothing in 2 straight starts.
-No one on RSL seems capable of keeping shots on frame.
-After only one game away, RSL seemed to forget how to play the turf.
-RSL really didn't (or couldn't because of poor passing) play the possesion game that led them to the last win over NTOTB.
-RSL has blown 4 easy points in their last two at home.
-You have to beat the expansion team, those are points ripe for the taking.

Game grade: D-
I really wanted to give RSL an F for this one, but they did only tie, not lose. So as awful as this result was, there were some minor positives. Although it resulted in nothing, RSL did try to attack and did control the game when they had the man advantage, as they should. Unfortunately, this was one of those games where by about 70 minutes in, you could tell RSL wouldn't score. Sure enough, I was right. But far outweighing any positives was the lack of passion showed. Kudos to the RSL fans who booed the team at the game's end. If that's all the effort they will give, they deserve it.

Player Grades:
Nick Rimando-7 Solid when tested.
Tony Beltran-6 Active but needs to do more with the ball on both ends.
Jamison Olave-7 Helps get a 3rd straight clean sheet.
Kyle Beckerman-6 Decent game, but as captain, needs to inspire his team.
Nat Borchers-7 See Olave.
Matias Cordoba-4 The guy is invisible when on the field.
(Kenny Cutler 67)-5 One of the few with any life, but didn't do much.
Robbie Findley-6 Generous 6; drew a red card, only legit threat in the 2nd.
Javier Morales-6 Some nice plays, but not his best effort.
Kenny Deuchar-5 For someone known for headers, his sure suck.
(Tino Nunez 57)-4 Too tentative.
Chris Wingert-6 Decent game, turf ate him up a couple times.
Dema Kovalenko-7 Starting to impose himself on games again.

RSL Man of the Match:
Dema Kovalenko - A tough call. Another game where no one really wanted it or stood out. Dema gets it for his hard-nosed play and for being one of the few at least trying to attack late, even if his shots were horrible. An A (well, A- maybe) for effort.


Assclown of the Match:
The whole officiating crew - I agree, Beckerman was offsides on the "goal" in the 73rd, I*'m fine with that. However, you CAN NOT wait for 3 minutes, after a complete goal celebration and everything and then call it back. If you don't make the call, you didn't make the call. I really think the assistant waited for a replay on the video screen and then made his call. Poor.