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.

Ye Olde Royal Predictions: Week 17 and other assorted musings

I know, I know, I missed posting another week of predictions, but as usual, they were made and can be scored. But, to get back on top of things, here are this week's:

Thursday, July 17:
Kansas City 1 vs. THE 2

Saturday, July 19:
NTOTB 0 vs. Streamer Warehouse 3
LAG 3 vs. Non-Reynas 2
Crapids/Cripids 1 vs. Dallass 2
REAL SALT LAKE 1 vs. BSOF 1

Tuesday, July 22nd (odd day for a game, so it gets tacked onto this week):
Creamsickles 0 vs. Ben Cup Losers 2

As for the last two weeks' results...
Week 15: 2 correct (0 exact), 4 wrong (33%)
Week 16: 3 correct (1 exact), 2 wrong (60%, 20%)

MLS Season Total:
46-65 [8 exact] (41%, 7%)


In other news, Cletus himself, Mr. Clint "The Original RSL Bust" Mathis was spotted recently playing for the RSL reserves in a match against the school which shall not be named (it's in Hell Provo). Apparently, he is out of contract following his stint in Greece and needs somewhere to work out. While I don't see him signing with RSL (LAG still hold his MLS rights anyway), I can't say I'd be 100% against him being signed as a threat off the bench. That having been said, there are countless better options out there, and with two free International roster spots, let's hope RSL takes them.

Finally, in a blatant bid to win points at home, I want to say hi to my wonderful wife! :) She joined me at the Columbus game, which was a lot of fun and I appreciate, seeing as how she has little to no interest in sports. Interestingly enough, she actually made some very astute observations. The one that stands out in particular was her calling out of "number 5" (Becks) for being too hesitant and for not taking the lanes the defense was giving him. At one point (after he stalled an attack by pulling back with the ball even as he could've broken towards goal with it) she turned to me and said, "Why didn't he keep running up the field? No one was coming after him!" And, of course, I had been thinking basically the same thing. Great minds think alike I guess. Well done, honey! And, in fact, I've been thinking a lot about Kyle's performances lately, but that is planned for a whole separate post that I will be working on soon. Until then, enjoy the view from first place everyone! I know I am.

Cleaning House (Cordobas, Predictions, and Grades; oh my!)

Yes, I know there has been a distinct lack of content here on the Review as of late. I apologize and throw myself at the mercy of the soccer gods! ...Or something. Actually, I recently got a new job and am currently having a very difficult time adjusting to the hours, which has made it hard to keep the site up. I'll try and keep it up better in the future. Anyway, on to all that needs to be done!

First off, if you missed it, Matias Cordoba is gone, back to Argentina (thanks, SL Tribune). Apparently, he was upset with the paltry amount of playing time he'd gotten. Of course, if he'd shown ANYTHING in that playing time, maybe he'd have gotten more; I'm just sayin'. That means RSL has two roster spots and, if I recall correctly, they also have two international slots available. Hopefully Jason and Garth can get us a striker (Archie dammit! Or even Indra perhaps?) and another attacking minded midfielder or outside back (Kipre, come home!). Actually, let me revise that, hopefully they can get us someone who can actually put the ball in the net. That would be a nice change.

Secondly, let's get back up to date with 'Ye Olde Royal Predictions.' Here's my picks for this week:

Thursday, July 3rd:
Creamsickles 2 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 3

Friday, July 4th (Happy 232!):
Kansas City 1 vs. Dallas 2
Energy Bovines 0 vs. Crapids/Cripids 2
NERds 3 vs. LAG 2

Saturday, July 5th:
Chicago BSOF 1 vs. Columbus The 2
NTOTB 2 vs. TST 2

Last 2 weeks' results:
Week 13: 2 right (1 exact), 7 wrong (22%, 11%)
Week 14: 3 right (1 exact), 4 wrong (43%, 14%)

MLS Season Total:
41-59 [7 exact] (41%, 7%)

And finally, here are the player grades for the ugliness that was RSL at Kansas City:
Nick Rimando-7 Distribution lacking, but solid keeping.
Tony Beltran-3 Beat all night, passed to opposition, scored an own goal.
Nat Borchers-5 Missed a few marks, clearances were fairly poor.
Jamison Olave-8 A beast all night.
Chris Wingert-5 Too many passing mistakes.
Andy Williams-5 OK, but seemed to wear out in the 2nd half.
(Kenny Cutler 80)-5 Didn't have much effect on the game.
Dema Kovalenko-5 More poor passing by an RSL player.
Javier Morales-4 As leader of the offense, needs to do a LOT more.
Kyle Beckerman-7 Feisty and all over the place. Good game.
Robbie Findley-6 OK considering he was out of position all night.
(Tino Nunez 69)-5 Barring one play, largely invisible.
Kenny Deuchar-5 Wore down early 2nd, needs to shoot AROUND defenders, not INTO them.
(Yura Movsisyan 69)-5 Looked energized against his old team. Lots of effort, no results; needs to pass now and then.

Jason Kreis-4 The 4-5-1 got beat all night. Findley is NOT a middie. Taking out Findley AND Kenny for Tino and Yura???!?!

Officials (Head Ref: Alex Prus)-4 Let way too many tackles from behind go, often when an RSL player was headed towards the 18. Let the game turn ugly.

RSL Man of the Match:
Jamison Olave-Forget OnGoal, Olave owns the Wizards!

Assclown of the Match:
Jason Kreis-Ah yes, Professor Kreis! How goes your "How Not To Coach A Soccer Game 101" class?

Like I said, I will do my best to keep the site up in the future! Thanks for sticking with the site, I appreciate it!

Ye Olde Royal Predictions: Week 13

Still working on getting through the TST game before tonight's game, but I wanted to get the predictions up on time this week for once.

Wednesday, June 18th:
Energy Bovines 0 vs. NERds 2
NTOTB 2 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 3

Thursday, June 19th:
Chicago's BSOF 2 vs. TST 1

Saturday, June 21st:
KC 1 vs. Streamer Warehouse 2
Dallass 1 vs. Energy Bovines 1
NERds 2 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 1
Creamsickles 2 vs. Crapids/Cripids 2
THE* 2 vs. LAG 3

Sunday, June 22nd:
NTOTB 1 vs. Ben Cup Losers 3

*THE is my newest reference for Columbus because of the stupid "THE Crew" in their logo. If it's on their logo, it's their name. Presenting the Columbus THE. (Yes, I'm reaching)

Last week's results:
A solid, plus-.500 week. And honestly, I hate to mark myself down for the RSL game, did ANYONE see that coming? Didn't think so.
4 right (0 exact), 3 wrong (57%)

Season Total:
36-48 [5 exact] (43%, 6%)

Ye Olde Royal Predictions: Week 12: FM 2008 is the devil!

So I've gotten sucked back into Football Manager 2008 (well, Worldwide Soccer Manager, but it's the same thing) and, as a result, the Review is suffering. But, quickly, here are my week 12 predictions (as before, all predictions were made before this week's games-proven by my painfully wrong prediction on Thursday's game):

Thursday, June 12th:
NERds 1 vs. Creamsickles 1

Saturday, June 14th:
Crapids 1 vs. Streamer Warehouse 2
Energy Bovines 0 vs. Unitedwagen 2
THE Crew (seriously, does their logo need the word 'The'?) 1 vs. Wiz 2
LAG 3 vs. NTOTB 1
REAL SALT LAKE 0 vs. TST 3

Sunday, June 15th:
Blanco School of Flopping (BSOF) 1 vs. Dallass 2

I hate to make that prediction for RSL, but they are headed to the HDC this weekend. Also known as the 'Royal Burial Grounds'. But trust me, I would like nothing more than a big RSL win over tst. GO RSL!

Last week's results:
BIG week for me! It's about time!
5 correct (1 exact), 2 wrong (71%)

Season Total:
32-45 [5 exact] (42%, 6%)

And, oh yes, never fear RSL fans! If my game is correct (and we can all hope that it is), RSL WILL win the MLS Cup this year. Of course, they also should have won the Open Cup this year for that logic to work, but we can conveniently forget that part, right?

Ye Olde Royal Predictions: Week 11

Wednesday, June 4th:
Creamsickles 1 vs. Ben Cup Losers 2

Thursday, June 5th:
TST 1 vs. Energy Drinks 2

Friday, June 6th:
Texas Stripes 1 vs. NERds 3

Saturday, June 7th:
NTOTB 1 vs. Columbus 3
Ben Cup Losers 0 vs. Where There's Smoke... 2
Takin A KC Wiz 2 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 2
Crapids/Cripids 2 vs. LAG 3

Sunday, June 8th:
Streamer Warehouse 1 vs. Creamsickles 2

Last week's results:
Another week, another similar result. Hopefully this week will get me out of the rut!
3 correct (1 exact-the RSL game, YES!), 4 wrong (43%, 14%)

Season Total:
27-43 [4 exact] (39%, 6%)

Ye Olde Royal Predictions: Week 10

I know, I know, the week has already started and seems to be about half over, but I promise I made these predictions BEFORE the week started. In my defense, I don't know the finals of any of this week's games so far so I may be posting wrong predictions for games that already happened-yay!

Wednesday, May 28th:
Houston 3 vs. Dallas 2

Thursday, May 29th:
Unitedwagen 1 vs. NERds 2

Saturday, May 31st:
LAG 2 vs. Streamer Warehouse 2
Energy Drinks 1 vs. Houston 2
NTOTB 1 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 3
Niña, Pinta, Santa Maria 2 vs. TST 1

Sunday, June (already?!?!) 1st:
Dallas 0 vs. Crapids/Cripids 3

Last week's results:
About the usual around here these days.
3 right (0 exact), 5 wrong (38%)

Season Total:
24-39 [3 exact] (38%, 5%)

Ye Olde Royal Predictions: Week 9

So I had an improvement this week, but I'm still not up to where I want to be. I did, however, notice this disclaimer on James Edward's blog on his predictions:
"Note: I'm counting draws in my record, therefore picking 33 percent of the games correct would be considered average."
Mainly I'm just posting this to make myself feel better, as I run on the same rules. By his logic I am still above average! YAY! Ah, lowered expectations, you are a sweet, sweet nectar.

Wednesday, May 21st:
Ben Cup Losers 1 vs. Streamer Warehouse 3

Thursday, May 22nd:
Houston Creamsickles 2 vs. NTOTB 1

Saturday, May 24th:
NERds 0 vs. Columbus 2
Streamer Death 2 vs. Unitedwagen 2
REAL SALT LAKE 2 vs. Dallass 3
TST 0 vs. Crapids/Cripids 2
Kansas City 2 vs. LAG 3

Sunday, May 25th:
The Blanco School of Flopping 1 vs. Energy Drinks 2

Last week's results:
3 right (0 exact), 4 wrong (43%)

Season total:
21-34 [3 exact] (38%, 5%)

Ye Olde Royal Predctions: Week 8

Sigh...well, it WAS better. Only slightly. Here's to hoping my form returns soon! Hopefully, I will turn it around starting with this week.

Thursday, May 15th:
Rocky Mtn. Cup Leg 1
REAL SALT LAKE 3 vs. Crapids/Cripids/Denver West Sideuhz 2

Saturday, May 17th:
Columbus 2 vs. Toronto Streamer Warehouse 2
Kansas City 1 vs. Energy Drinks 2
NTOTB 1 vs. NERds 3
Houston 1 vs. Louganises 3
Ben Cup Losers 1 vs. TST 2

Sunday, May 18th:
LAG 2 vs. Dallass 3

On a side note, don't miss this week's game of the week, the Rocky Mtn. Cup matchup on ESPN2! And you insomniacs, don't miss the big TST/Unitedwagen craptacular on Saturday!

Last week's results:
2 right (1 exact), 4 wrong (33%)

MLS Season Total:
18-30 [3 exact] (38%, 6%)

Ye Olde Royal Predctions: Week 7

A crazy year in MLS has led to some crazy weeks for YORP, last week included. I had a horrible week, getting just one right. Of course, I did get that one exactly right. That counts for something doesn't it? Here we go with this week's, which WILL be better:

Thursday, May 8th:
Louganises 1 vs. DC Beetles 2

Saturday, May 10th:
Crapids/Cripids 1 vs. Houston No-Wins 1
Dallass 2 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 1
Columbus 3 vs. NTOTB 1
Energy Drinks 2 vs. LAG 2

Sunday, May 11th:
NERds 2 vs. TST 1

Last week's results:
MLS: 1 right (1 exact), 6 wrong (14%)
USOC: 1 right (0 exact), 0 wrong (100%-it's nice to write that, even if only for 1 game!)

MLS Season Total: 16-26 [2 exact] (38%, 5%)
All Comps Total: 18-27 [2] (40%, 4%)

Ye Olde Royal Predctions: Week 6

I'm still trying to get through the second leg of the Ben Cup, but it is difficult. I'm only to the first PK and already it is difficult to watch. But I will try to press on. Anyway, here are this week's predictions:

Thursday, May 1:
Energy Drinks 1 vs. Streamer Warehouse 3

Saturday, May 3:
Louganises 1 vs. NERds 1
KC 1 vs. Columbus 2
TST 1 vs. Houston 2
LAG 3 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 2
Dallas 2 vs. NTOTB 0

Sunday, May 4:
Ben Cup Losers 2 vs. Crapids/Cripids 1

Bonus Pick:
Wednesday, April 30:
US Open Cup Play-In:
NTOTB 1 vs. REAL SALT LAKE 2

Yes, I have RSL losing to LA, I'm aware. The last two games have inspired no confidence whatsoever. I'm not sure they can stop Donovan with how well he is playing.

Last week's results:
OK, that was much better. Not my best week ever, but at least it was decent.
4 right (0 exact), 3 wrong (57%)

MLS Season Total: 15-20 [1 exact] (43%, 3%)

Ye Olde Royal Predctions: Week 5

Ouch. Let us just kind of skip over last week and never speak of it again. This week will be better, I promise (basically because it cannot possibly be worse). Here's the predictions for this week's games:

Thursday, April 24:
NERds 1 vs. Dallas 2

Saturday, April 26:
KC 1 vs. Toronto 2
Houston 1 vs. Columbus 0
REAL SALT LAKE 1 vs. Ben Cup Losers 3
Crapids/Cripids 0 vs. Louganises 2
TST 3 vs. LAG 2

Sunday, April 27:
New Team On The Block (NTOTB) 1 vs. Energy Drinks 2

Last week's results:
Feel free to stop reading at any time...
0 right, 7 wrong (0%)

MLS Season Total: 11-17 [1 exact] (39%, 4%)

Ye Olde Royal Predctions: Week 4

A decent, if unspectacular, week for my predictions last week as I went an even .500. I did call the big Ben Cup win for RSL, but I don't think anyone on Earth (or beyond) had that scoreline. That was insanity, but in a good way! Here's the Royal Predictions for this week's MLS action:

Thursday, April 17:
Columbus 1 vs. Ben Cup Losers 3

Saturday, April 19:
REAL SALT LAKE 2 vs. Toronto FC 2
NERds 0 vs. Energy Drinks 1
San Jose "First Goals" 1 vs. Crapids/Cripids 3
Creamsickles 2 vs. LAG 1

Sunday (Sunday! Sunday! <-insert monster truck announcer here), April 20 (Duuuuuuude.....4/20! heh heh....wait, what's going on?):
Takin a KC 0 vs. Chicago Louganises 2
Dallas 1 vs. TST 1

Last week's results:
On MLS action I did ok, getting half right. Then, on the CCC action I also got them half right. A very wishy-washy week for the predictions.
MLS: 4 right (0 exact), 4 wrong (50%)
CCC: 1 right (0 exact), 1 wrong (50%)

MLS Season Total: 11-10 [1 exact] (52% right, 5% exact)
All Comps. Total: 12-11 [1] (52%, 4%)

Ye Olde Royal Predctions-Week 3

I hate to distract from the Ben Cup fun (so make sure you go there!), but I just realized there's a Wednesday night game this week, so I need to get the predictions up. Here we go:

Wednesday, April 9:
NERds 1 @ KC 2
Bonus CCC picks:
Pachuca 2 @ DCU 2 (Pachuca wins 4-2 on aggregate)
Houston 1 @ Saprissa 2 (Saprissa wins 2-1 on aggregate)

Saturday, April 12:
Chi. Louganises 3 @ San Jose 1
Crapids 1 @ NERds 1
Goats TST 2 @ Crew Socks 1
Houston 1 @ KC 1
Energy Drinks 1 @ Dallas 2

BEN CUP LEG 1:
Ben Cup Losers 1 @ Real Salt Lake 2

Sunday, April 13:
Toronto 1 @ LAG 2

Last weeks results:
MUCH MUCH MUCH better than week 1. I'm back in the saddle baby! Cowboy up! Eight seconds! Other rodeo related phrases!
6 right (1 exact), 1 wrong for 86%

Season total: 7-6 (54% right, 8% exact)

One last note, congrats to Seattle fans (and to the ownership for actually listening to the fanbase) on keeping the Sounders name. Well done. And then talk of bringing in a "Thierry Henry-caliber player" (Did you watch the press conference? I did.)? Wow. Although, I'm not sure how the fans have earned a DP already, but I guess they're doing something we aren't.

Ye Olde Royal Predctions-Week 2

Ouch. Last week's predictions were not just ugly, they were "Ooglay". But that can't happen two weeks in a row, right? Here's this week's try:

Thursday, April 3rd
NERds 1 @ Louganises (Chi.) 1
San Jose 1 @ LAG 2

Saturday, April 5th
Columbus 1 @ Energy Drinks 2
Toronto 1 @ Ben Cup Losers (DCU) 2
Cripids 1 @ Takin' A KC Wiz 2
RSL 1 @ TST 3

Sunday, April 6th
Dallas 2 @ Houston 2

Really, after seeing RSL last week, I'm not so sure I see them getting shellacked, but something always seems to go wrong when they hit the Home Depot Center. I'm just playing the averages here!

Also, let's just ignore this last part...
Last week's results:
1 correct (0 exact), 5 incorrect for a sorry 17%. One of my worst prediction weeks so far. Yikes.

Ahhh, a new season is upon us-Week 1 Predictions

The start of the MLS season is fast approaching (March 29), as well as baseball season (March 31-GO CUBS!), making this one of the best times of year for sports (especially with no more [american] football for months and months yay!). With it comes my new tradition of playing MFLS.com fantasy soccer against DCU Ben and, with that, my weekly MLS predictions. The following are very early and were made while I am half asleep (as is this nonsensical post) and so may be changed as the season gets closer, but for now, here's my first go-round for 2008:

Toronto 1 @ Columbus 2
Chicago 3 @ RSL 1
Houston 1 @ NERds 1
DCU 2 @ KC 0
LAG 1 @ Cripids 1
Chivas TST 1 @ Dallas 2

I hate to have that result for RSL, but for some reason I have a bad feeling about that one. Let's all hope the Reds prove me wrong!