Gameday. Real Salt Lake against the Energy Bovines for the Western Crown

Wow. Think back 12 months ago as RSL fans everywhere sat home and moped while the MLS playoffs swirled around them. Eddie Pope had left. Woe was everywhere. Life as we knew it had ceased to exist. Famine and pestilence spread across the Wasatch Front. Have I made this melodramatic enough for you? Nevertheless, how many of us truly believed that RSL would not only make the playoffs in 2008, but would be hosting the Western Conference Final? I can't imagine too many. (On a side note, how sad it is to have this amazing run happen the year after Eddie Pope hung it up. Thanks again Eddie, you were pure class!) But life is funny like that and here we are.

Can RSL beat this team? Absolutely. RSL outplayed the bulls just a few short weeks ago in the Rio Tinto opener, a game they gave away and that ended 1-1. With a similar effort tonight (and some actual finishing: I'm looking in your direction, Yura), RSL can easily be through to the MLS Cup final. That being said, NYC's dismantling of Houston last weekend cannot be understated. I'll be honest, the thought of RSL going to Texas to face the Dynamo? Kinda scary. So the fact that NYC did it, and with such seeming ease, does give me pause. If Richards and Angel both bring their best tonight, it could get ugly.

So I think the key tonight, and something that is easier said than done, especially for this team, is for RSL to get on the board first and then keep the pressure on. Don't let the energy bovines get the boost from an early lead. If we do get the first goal, great, but don't then go into defensive mode. Keep the pressure on and put them away if the opportunity arises. Take advantage of the home crowd and the altitude and win this sucker!

So now it is time for my prediction. I think the home team factor will be enough to get RSL through if they play smart. RSL 2 - NYC 1.


Other assorted thoughts:
-Who will play tonight? Do we see Dema over Andy again? Will Cleetus roam the field once again? Will Espi be fit enough to play a role?
Here is my starting 11:
GK: Rimando
D: Wingert, Olave, Borchers, Russell
M: Williams, Johnson, Beckerman, Morales
F: Yura, Findley
Top 3 subs: Dema, Espi, Deuchar
Who do I see actually starting?
GK: Rimando
D: Wingert, Olave, Borchers, Joy
M: Dema, Johnson, Beckerman, Morales
F: Yura, Mathis
Top 3 subs: Williams, Espi, Findley
-I am sick to death of hearing of the "massive upset" over Chivas TST. It was a 2 seed vs. a 3 seed! Not a big difference! On top of that, many (especially actual fans, not sportswriters) predicted RSL to beat TST. In fact, RSL was predicted to win by a nearly 2-to-1 margin by Soccer by Ives readers. Not exactly scientific, I know, but it does prove a point. This was most certainly not the giant upset every media outlet wants to make it.
-This is worth a post of its own but can we stop with the "leader of the points table takes the championship" BS. Not going to happen. Nor would I want it to happen. The playoffs are genuinely exciting and there is a palpable sense of tension to them. Anyone who says different is either a) lying, b) a eurosnob elitist who doesn't actually watch MLS, or c) warped beyond belief.