Herpes Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that crap!

-From the Royal Review

Ninja...Ninja rap, even

Sorry for the Vanilla Ice reference. I was watching that the other day on Youtube. Hilarious stuff.

ANYWAY, on to the latest from RSL Land (also known to fans as the 19th level of hell):

"The [USA U-23] roster has been reduced to 20 players, with Nate Sturgis (calf) and Adam Cristman (hamstring) not fit enough to make the trip to China." Straight from the US U-23 blog
Thanks RSLFM Report for the heads up.

I hate to think this, let alone say this (and jinx him further), but Sturgis seems to be turning into an injury machine. This is almost certainly giving the (and I use this term VERY loosely) "braintrust" in LA too much credit, but maybe there is a reason they let Sturgis go so easily. Hopefully Nate can use the rest of his time off this offseason to get healthy and come back and have a great year next year. That way we can just call him a "talented player" instead of "talented but injury prone".

On a completely different topic, not a day goes by where I don't hear about (possible and real) signings and trades in MLS, including the latest doozy:
D Bobby Boswell to Houston for GK Zach Wells & a second round draft pick

So Houston, already the MLS champs, trade away their backup goalkeeper for a former MLS defender of the year. Yes, Boswell had a poor season last year, but I think a change in scenery and the motivation to prove himself again bodes well for him and Houston. Meanwhile, RSL does nothing (other than waving goodbye to Eddie Pope and then waiving promising defender Kipre). Somehow I think not changing, and even losing THE key piece of, a team that has yet to make the playoffs while the champs bolster their defense is not the way to bring a winner to Utah.
Even LA is looking to further skirt the salary cap by adding Polish striker Maciej Zurawski to the roster from Scotland's Celtic FC

Meanwhile, there is not a word on any moves coming from RSL's camp. Note to Dave Checketts: 'People like to cheer for winning teams. Especially in sports that may be considered "fringe" by some. Especially in Utah. Try getting some decent and ESTABLISHED personnel in here, including in the front office. Winning can be fun, I promise.'

How RSL plans to suddenly become better than teams that have already proven themselves better than RSL just by losing their top defender is beyond me. Can anyone explain it to me? Anyone?

PS to Dave-Seriously, I love this guy. Open the checkbook.

PPS-

Seriously???

As much as RSL makes me say "What the hell are they thinking?", those in charge of MLS often have me saying the same thing. ESPN has posted a list of all seven opening week games for the 2008 season, with the games to be played on the weekend of Saturday, March 29. Let's take a look:

Toronto @ Columbus
DCU @ Kansas City
NY @ San Jose
Chivas @ Dallas

Nothing too bad about these four, but then there's these 3:

Houston @ New England
LA @ Colorado
Chicago @ RSL


What on earth is MLS thinking??? It's March. Why do you send Houston to the northeast??? Why is Chicago going up into the mountains??? And why, oh why, is LA headed to Denver??? Why are these games not the other way around? Granted, Chicago isn't great in winter either, but I would wager it's nicer than a city that HOSTED THE WINTER OLYMPICS!!! And what was the thought process in sending two warm climate teams to much colder climes in March? Seriously, very odd.

In other news, I'm still super pissed about this Jamie Watson (and to a lesser extent Jimenez) thing. And now, even more details have emerged at the RSLFM report. No employer should ever treat an emloyee that way. Especially if the allegation of basically holding him hostage in order to get something out of Dallas is true. To make matters worse, he was basically the only positive PR face this franchise had. To make matters even worse, he was a solid ballplayer! He seems to be playing well with Dallas according to the 3rd Degree blog (scroll down to the bottom for a Watson blurb).

And finally, a boy can dream can't he? It'll never happen (for various reasons), but, man, I'd love to see Archie Thompson in red... It would make my brown eyes blue...or something...
I wanted to post a good video of one of his truly awesome, over the top goal celebrations but I can't find a good quality one off hand. Let's just say he is possibly beyond even Cunningham in this regard. Here's a couple Archie vids nevertheless:

Here's the main part of the goal celebration:


Here's a modified one, adding the gun celebration:


And a few more for your viewing pleasure:
Archie (13) and Australia (31) set world goal scoring records.
Very nice goal (granted, against lower competition, but still).
A-League 2007 Grand Final Highlights, Archie with 5 goals.

Tell me celebrations like that wouldn't play here in the States. Just try.

It's Tough Being an RSL Fan (aka Will the Ineptitude Ever End???)

A few things in RSL-land lately, and all have been hard to swallow:

1) This report (thanks for the heads-up to RSLFM Report) which has Jason Kreis making over $200k per year to coach RSL. This despite the fact that he has NO coaching experience. This despite the fact that 3 years running MLS Cup finalist coach Steve Nicol only makes around $175k per year. This despite the fact that Kreis's slip-ups have cost the team lots of extra money in fines. What the hell? Seriously. Let's put some of that money toward the on-field product. I swear Checketts and Kreis are having a secret love affair. It's sexy!

2) Jamie Watson is already making a case for a contract with another team, the Hoops of FC Dallas. He is one of three "guest players" (aka trialists) joining the team on a trip to Trinidad for a set of exhibition games. I've already made my feelings known on the release and treatment of Watson, but to see him already seeming to catch on with another team shows just seems to backup my viewpoint that Kreis was WAY off base on this one.

3) The MLS waiver draft is coming up tomorrow, let's see who is up for grabs from RSL:
Chris Brown (good riddance), Steven Curfman (too bad for him), Christian Jimenez (good luck), Jack Stewart (see Chris Brown), and...Jean-Martial Kipre. Now I don't know the story here, but Kipre better have DEMANDED to be released to go overseas or else someone needs to be smacked. Hard. Kipre is young, fast, and dangerous. He's already proven he can play in this league and with some seasoning, possibly be a VERY good player in MLS. If RSL is just letting him go it makes me sick. With Pope retiring we need all the help we can get on defense!

Sigh... It really is hard to be an RSL fan sometimes. Hopefully there are some big signings on the horizon...

In other depressing (at least to me) sports news, my Syracuse Orangemen have pulled an RSL and inexplicably brought back (American) football coach Greg Robinson after 3 seasons in which the team has won a grand total of 7 games and has been near the bottom in every statistical category. Look for RSL to sign him as "Grand Poobah" or something after he is fired after the debacle that will be the 2008 season.

Finally, a slight ray of sunshine on this cloudy day. Congratulations are in order for Robbie Findley, Nathan Sturgis, and Chris Seitz as the three have been called into the US U-23 camp in preparation for an upcoming trip to China. Let's hope their personal successes carry over to RSL next year. Well done boys!

Another random catch-all update

First off, congratulations to the Creamsicles on winning another MLS Cup. I accidentally slept through the first half, but the second half was quite entertaining and Houston certainly deserved the win. Word is the NERds are in talks to change their name to the Buffalo Bills. Also, Khano Smith's new nickname is "Atiba."

Anyhow, there are lots of rumors floating around RSL-land these days so I'll hit on a few of those and what they would mean.

The most current has Kreis talking Adidas into graduating Jamie Watson out of Generation Adidas early so that he could cut him. While I believe it (see: various debacles featuring the coaching staff/front office this year), I hope this is not the case, as it is VERY bush league. In fact, if true, it saddens me. Kreis gives Watson little to no playing time. When he does play (and plays well), Kreis calls him out for not scoring when Jamie was the only player on the field playing with any of the following 1) heart 2) hustle 3) passion 4) energy 5) courage 6) shots. Everyone else on the team was afraid to even attack! And now, Kreis gets him taken out of a guaranteed contract so that he can cut him. Weak. While I don't think he'll ever be a star, don't be surprised to see Watson land elsewhere in MLS and become a solid role player with tons of hustle (something Kreis says he wants...hmmm....)

AYL filed this rumor report about 3 weeks ago (and I've heard little else since) but has listed Atiba Harris, Steven Curfman, Chris Brown, and Jean Martial Kipre as soon to be ex-RSL players. Here's my thoughts on each, if true.
Curfman-reserve player, never really saw the field. Too bad for the kid, but not a big loss. Good luck!
Brown-Thank God! The fact that he almost won the RSL Golden Boot proves two things: 1) RSL just plain can't score 2) Findley was criminally under-utilized. If he'd been on the field more, it wouldn't have been close.
Harris-Sad to see him go. His toughness/recklessness actually would have served him well in continued play at D-mid. Supposedly going to Norway (I'm guessing on a much larger contract) so I can't say as I blame him.
Kipre-BIG loss. I think this kid was the future at outside back. He had the speed and the moves to keep up on defense and to really disrupt the opposition's plans while on offense. If it is true he is gone, he better be leaving for a big contract as RSL would be painfully dumb (granted it wouldn't be the first time) to let him go easily.

Also in that report was word that Christian Jimenez has been traded. For what? No one knows. I'll wait on final judgement on this until the details come out. Having said that, while everyone says Jimenez has the talent, he has been very injury prone and I can understand if RSL cuts their losses on this one. Good luck to him wherever he goes!

Also, I was thinking the other day and I realized something. RSL MUST retire Eddie Pope's number 23. If they don't, they are a bigger joke than...well, they have already proven to be (or Jack Stewart's defense-take your pick on whatever reference you prefer). It not only would be the correct thing to do for Eddie, as he has been an absolute rock not only for this franchise but for the national team as well, but for the fans as well. It would give us something to take pride in and rally around. Having a GREAT (not good) player's number in the rafters (or wherever you'd put it at a soccer stadium haha) gives your team a sense of history and pride. I see RSL as having 3 chances to get this right:
1) At home game #1 of the season. Start the year off right and with a big celebration.
2) At RSL's home game vs. DC United. Have Eddie's former team help celebrate him with us.
3) At the opening of the Sandy Stadium. No brainer, but if done here, it mustn't get lost in the fanfare of the stadium opening.
Anything else is an affront to Eddie and to RSL (and Pope) fans everywhere.

Finally, just a quick look at my MLS playoff predictions:
Round 1:
Chivas USA over Kansas City - WRONG
Houston over Dallas - RIGHT
DC United over Chicago - WRONG
New England over New York - RIGHT
Round 2:
Houston over Chivas USA - RIGHTish
DC United over New England - WRONG
Final:
DC United over Houston - WRONG
As you can see, I did fairly well with the exception of DCU. Their choke in the first round killed me. But I learned something doing these predictions. Don't ever pick DCU, whenever I do, they lose.

Sigh...and there goes MLS 2007. At least we have the Draft and player moves to look forward to, I suppose. Now off to check on my other (soccer) team, the boys in blue of Sydney FC! Farewell until next time!

MLS (Playoff) Format

It seems there are a LOT of people out there that don't like the current MLS playoff system. I must admit, I'm not 100% convinced myself. From the lack of advantage for higher seeds to the number of teams on, there are a lot of things people don't like. Here's a few ideas that I came up with. They almost certainly won't be liked by the 'soccer purists', especially those that want a single table & promotion/relegation (get over it, it'll never happen), but it is a semi-'Americanized' system that also tries to set fairness at a high level.

NOTE: This setup is based on a 16 team league, which MLS can and will be at soon.

First, I would break the league up into 2 conferences and four divisions, based mostly on geography (and therefore helping promote more regional rivalries). Teams like RSL & Colorado (or LA & Chivas, DCU/NE/NY, etc.) should be kept in the same division to help foster interest with the already developed rivalries. So the league would look something like this:

Western Conference:
Div. 1
Chivas USA
LA
San Jose
Seattle

Div. 2
RSL
Crapids
Houston
Dallas


Eastern Conference:
Div. 1
DCU
New England
NY
Toronto

Div. 2
KC
Chicago
Columbus
Eastern Team 8 (St. Louis?)

In the interest of a fair, balanced schedule teams would have an increase in the number of games. In my system, each team would play every other league team twice, once at home and once away. They then would play each team in their division an addition 2 times (home and away). This would mean a total of 36 games in the regular season, which I admit is a lot, but the best way I can think of to keep a balanced schedule while still keeping extra "rivalry games." There may have to be a few extra midweek games to meet this schedule, but it is possible. In short, the regular season looks like this:
15 other teams x 2 games each = 30 games
3 division teams x 2 additional games each = 6 games
30 + 6 = 36 games

Now we come to the playoffs. I actually have two systems in mind, one which will drastically cut the number of playoff teams and one that allows for more teams while giving an advantage to the higher seeds (based on the format used in the Australian A-League). Both try to give teams an advantage for having a better regular season while also assuring every team a home playoff game.

Playoff Format One:
The winner of each division advances to the playoffs. Each conference's 2 representatives face off in the semi final in a best of 3 game home-away-home series. The team with the highest number of points on the season is the home team and plays a possible 2 home games, with the other team given one. Each game would be in the current MLS format, with a 30-minute overtime if needed. If the game is still tied after 120 minutes, there are two options: a 15 minute golden goal second overtime followed by a shootout if necessary or just a shootout without the golden goal overtime. The first team to win 2 games advances to the MLS Cup. The MLS Cup itself would be as currently formatted, that is, a single game at a "neutral" field.

Playoff Format Two: (I'll try and have this make sense...)
The top 2 teams in each division would qualify for the playoffs. Each division winner would be considered the #1 seeds in the playoffs with the runners-up being the #2 seeds. The two #1's would play a "major quarterfinal" match at the home of the team with the most points on the season (or the better record in head-to-head matches that year, we're making this up so whatever you prefer). The winner of that match moves on to the conference final, the loser moves to the conference semifinal.
Meanwhile, the 2 #2's play a home-and-away "minor quarterfinal" series formatted in the same manner as the MLS playoffs currently are (aggregate, no away goals rule). The team with the most points would get to choose whether they wanted to be home first or away first. The winner of this series would move on to the conference semifinal.
The conference semifinal would pit the winner of the minor quarterfinal against the loser of the major quarterfinal in a one-off match at the major quarterfinal loser's home stadium. If tied, the game would have MLS's current 30 min. overtime (and if still tied) followed by one of the two options I used in format one (a 15-min. golden goal then, if necessary, a shootout OR just a shootout). The winner of this game moves to the conference final.
The conference final would be played in the home stadium of the winner of the major quarterfinal, using the same rules as the conference semifinal and with the winner moving to the MLS Cup, which, as per usual, would be one match played in a neutral stadium.
An idea for the timing of these matches would be:
Friday: Minor Quarter Game 1
Saturday: Major Quarter
Tuesday: Minor Quarter Game 2
Saturday: Conference Semifinal
and then the conference final and MLS Cup on the 2 following Saturdays. This setup would keep the length of the playoffs to a minimum, while giving the higher seeded teams the advantage of getting some extra rest.

For reference purposes (and to maybe clear up what I'm trying to convey), here are "bracket" versions of each format:

Format One:



















Format 2:












I guess that's it for now, thanks for reading! Enjoy! And as always, feel free to comment below!

10/20 RSL @ Colorado Cripids/Crapids - Rocky Mtn. Cup Final

So I'm finally getting around to a review and only a week and a half late! Oh yes! I'm just that good. Let's get right to it.

The RSL lineup was basically what was expected:
Esky leading up front with Espi and C. Brown.
Talley, Beckerman, and Sturgis manning the midfield.
Kotschau, Mantilla, Pope, and Wingert across the back.

Oddly, we haven't seen much of Kipre lately, not sure why he pulled a Forko and disappeared. Did the Ivory Coast call him up so we had to feign another injury? Also, Brown over Findley AGAIN! AGH! Also, Esky is without the headgear in this one, although you'd be hard pressed to tell since his hair is basically the same color (and shape). To the game!

Kyle Beckerman opened the game (and his return to Colorado) with a sweet karate kick to Cancela's midsection, earing a yellow card just 5 seconds into the game. My problem here is that if you are going to karate kick someone, at least let it be Pablo! Then the Crapid fans kick in with a "Where's your lion?" chant, as if anyone in Salt Lake cares about our mascot. Ooooo, you really got us guys! L A M E. Fourth minute, Red Card Kots is beaten downfield by Cooke but makes a nice recovery to get back on the play, recoveries and saving the day will be his hallmark on the night. Tenth minute, Mantilla with a lazy cross field ball that is intercepted and rushed forward on attack, luckily Colorado is unable to do anything with it. Still 0-0. Soon after, RSL fouls just outside of the box, but the wall does its job and denies Kirovski. Well done. In the 14th, a bouncing ball comes downfield and as Rimando goes up for it Clark comes in trying to head it and levels Nick who goes down injured. Wingert pounces on the loose ball and clears it and RSL smartly fouls near midfield to stop play and get Rimando checked out. In the 17th, Chris Brown uses some good positioning (yes a Brown compliment on the RR, believe it or not) to force a dangerous play on the edge of the box. Unfortunately, Brown is forced to rush a play by an onrushing Condoul and puts it WAY out of bounds. Fortunately, Brown is flattened by Condoul, which made me happy in a twisted way. In the 19th, Beckerman goes 1 on 1 with Petke wide right, but can't break him down. He needs to do better with opportunities such as that. In the 21st, Terry Cooke, who had been limping around nearly all game, finally gives up and comes off for Jacob Peterson. Bonus for RSL, Colorado has burned a sub very early. The next 10 minutes or so have Pablo being his douchebag self, cheap shotting RSL players left and right. He even comes in, runs over Sturgis, then complains about being called for a foul, while making a baby sucking his thumb gesture about Sturgis. Classy. Then came the 32nd minute. Clark got behind the entire RSL team on a nice through ball, juked past Rimando, and...hits the crossbar and on entirely open goal. Or as RSL superfan Garth Algar would say... In the 36th, Clark appeals for a penalty, but is thankfully denied, as a) the ball looked to have been out of bounds on the sideline seconds before and b) the tackle by Mantilla was pretty clean. Still tied. Soon after, Espindola gets a 1 on 1 with Condoul only to put it right into Bouna's stomach as he fell to block the ball. RSL needs a better finish there! Colorado comes back the other way with Casey all alone about 6 yards out diagonal right, but he pulls an RSL and puts it into the side netting. Some terrible RSL defending left him all alone. RSL goes back the other way less than a minute later, but two Becks crosses find no one as the RSL forwards continue their year long theme of not crashing the box. Ugh... In the 40th RSL catches another break as the Crapids are forced to use another sub after an injury to Ihemelu. On comes old man Tony Sanneh, who makes a difference in the 44th, by getting in front of a big Esky shot after he had beaten pretty much the whole team coming down the field. A nice run by Esky, but unfortunately he is denied. After just 2 minutes of stoppage time, which seemed a bit short after 4 injuries: Cooke, Ihemelu, Rimando, and a minor stoppage for Talley, the half ended 0-0.

Half grade: C+
The defense was iffy but RSL did create a few chances. While they did seem to have more possession than Colorado, they seemed unable to advance the ball past midfield, with a lot of balls going back and forth around the back 4, before someone would bomb a long ball upfield. Findley is much more suited to a long ball game than Brown, but guess who's in? Sigh... Colorado looks fairly complacent seeing as how they are at home and HAVE TO win to have a chance at the playoffs. They just seem to be bunkering and looking for a counter. Odd.

The second half started with RSL getting another bonus. As they switched fields, the wind picked up and RSL now would have a 30+ MPH wind at their back for the duration of the half. Lucky lucky. After kickoff, Sturgis came out with passion and was all over and in every play for about 5 minutes. Nice to see some flashes of what could be out of the kid. In the 48th, Clark comes down with the ball and does what few others have, he totally beats Eddie Pope, but his shot is poor and is right to Nick. A couple minutes later Esky puts a nice ball into the box that is quickly passed to a waiting Espi at the edge of the 18. Rather than put a quick shot on goal, or passing to one of a number of open teammates, he tries to force the issue (1 v. 3), dances around, and is dispossessed. He seems to be forcing a lot in this game, rather than getting his team involved. In the 52nd, Colorado counters with Wingert ending up behind Clark who puts a nice little cross into the box. Kotschau saves the day by getting a shoelace on it and breaking up the pass. Very nice recovery by Ritchie. (Note: the following needs its own paragraph)

A minute later saw the end of an era. EDDIE POPE was subbed off for Chris Lancos, ending his professional soccer career. Thanks for everything Eddie, you will be missed!

In the 55th, Espi puts a cross into the box, unfortunately he didn't bother to look and see if anyone in white was withing 10 yards (they weren't) and it was cleared no problem. However, this was typical of RSL on the night (and the year), their crosses NEVER find anyone on the right team. Hopefully the staff will find a way to fix this next year. Speaking of Espi, in the 57th he was subbed out for Robbie Findley putting RSL's two golden boot candidates on the field at once. Espi was active but forced things a bit too much. While I'd have liked to have seen RF for Brown, this was a good sub. Right after, Peterson hit an absolute rocket which Nicky dove after and pushed wide. Nice save! The 59th saw RSL finally break a ten minute or so run of play for Colorado. The team was finally able to find some openings to pass upfield, getting it to Esky wide. Esky made some sweet moves to get free and put a pretty cross into the box for Beckerman. Unfortunately, Pablo got his foot about 1/4 inch past Beckerman's and cleared it away, but it was nice to see an RSL cross that was actually dangerous. Colorado then decided to use its final sub in the 61st, somewhat oddly subbing Omar Cummings in for Jovan Kirovski. Once again, at home, needing a win, and with no other subs I'm not sure I sub offense for offense. I think I take someone out of midfield, or go 3 in the back and really try to push for a goal. I can see why Crapid fans question Big Poppa Clav. This also means Mehdi Ballouchy will not get off the bench. A solid starter for a bench warmer, what an amazing trade that was. Thanks again Crapids! About this time, the wind, which had already been playing tricks, seemed to come even more into play. It was very reminiscent of the Metrostars/RSL match in '05, with balls flying backwards. Very interesting to watch. Cummings tried to give the Crapids the lead in the 64th, splitting a couple defenders, but his shot looked like something I would do and it bobbled harmlessly away. At this point RSL had evened up the play and got a chance when a high floating ball (perhaps an attempted cross-the wind was crazy) danced around in the air and landed right in front of Findley just 3 yeards out. He attempted a header but slightly mis-hit it and it went wide near post. Some may think he should've tried to settle it, but I like the decision with the goalie and a defender right in front of him and the ball probably going to take a 20 foot bounce and catch up in the wind again anyway. Either way, still tied, 0-0. On the ensuing play the ball came across for Talley who attempted a pretty and entertaining, but fairly unnecessary, bicycle kick that went wide. From where he was positioned, that shot would have had to be on a rope to go in anyway, but it was fun to watch nevertheless. In the 71st, RR and RSL fan favorite Chris Brown had an amazing chance after Cripids defender Erpen put a stellar cross into the box for him. Instead of scoring on a basically open net, Brown instead bobbled it and knocks it out of bounds. Doesn't this guy get paid to score goals? That one was harder to miss than to get. Pathetic. Colorado quickly countered and put not one, but two great crosses through the box, unfortunately for them no one was able to get on the end of them. Their finishing has been VERY reminiscent of RSL's. Everything is wide or missed, thankfully for RSL. In the 73rd, Kreis inserts Williams for Brown, much to my delight, especially after that pathetic play just moments earlier. Esky then puts a free kick on net, forcing a big save from Condoul. Nicely done. Then Colorado seemed to finally remember that they needed to actually win this game and showed a little urgency. A first attack was again broken up by a heads up Kotschau play, but the second wave was dangerous. It was classic RSL defending with the ball bouncing around the penalty area but no one clearing. Usually these situations lead to opposition goals, but somehow Colorado squandered the opportunity and Mantilla hit an amazingly dangerous header BACKWARDS off his head to Rimando. Craziness. In the 78th, RSL went on the attack but a dangerous ball near post from Findley to Esky was JUST broken up, keeping the game scoreless. In the 81st, Findley took one of his patented runs past the defense, going one on one with Condoul. He beat him, but went just a half a foot wide on the far post. This was starting to look like one of those games where everyone goes close, but no one can close the door. In the 83rd, Rimando comes off his line to knock the ball away, but doesn't get all of it. It bobbles to Clark who does...well, I'm still not sure what, I guess half pass, half shot...with it that is way, way off target and RSL is able to clear the danger. Then it happened. Finally. Talley puts a gorgeous long ball upfield onto the end of another Findley run, who is again alone with the keeper. Condoul rushes him, but Robbie calmly chips it over him with a sliding, outstretched boot and into the net. 1-0 RSL!!! RSL takes control in the Rocky Mtn. Cup! Robbie Findley clinches the RSL golden boot with his 6th RSL goal on the year (8th overall)! Very nice goal. However, as RSL so often does after a goal, they forgot the game was still going on. Colorado rushes down field forcing a jumping save by Rimando on the near post. The ball falls to Sanneh 6 yards out, right in front of an open net, who volleys it back in immediately. Rimando makes an absolutely SUPERHUMAN save flying in from out of nowhere to get a paw on it and put it over the crossbar. Watch the highlights of this game, this sequence must be seen to be believed. Guzan for GK of the Year my ass. Rimando deserves it, sorry. At this point Colorado finally started to get a bit desperate, especially Bouna Condoul who dribbled the ball to midfield numerous times the rest of the way. After 90, the ref signalled for 4 minutes of stoppage, which was obviously a home-field call to give Colorado a chance. If 4 injuries equals two minutes, a half with basically no stoppages does not equal 4. A minute into stoppage, Andy Williams nearly sealed the deal when Condoul basically handed him the ball about 40 yards from goal. However, Williams' shot went just inches wide, keeping the RSL lead at 1. Condoul nearly did it again a minute later and I'm sure Colorado fans must have been pulling their hair out every time he touched the ball in extra time. Findley made a mistake in the 3rd minute of stoppage as he went for the corner flag. He ran towards the flag but tripped over the ball, putting it out of bounds and giving Colorado a last gasp at the RMC. Seconds before the final whistle the ball clearly went out of bounds next to the RSL goal but the linesman missed it and it led to a "shot" the Erpen sent to Fort Collins. Final score: RSL 1 - Colorado 0!!! HELLO ROCKY MOUNTAIN CUP!

Half grade: B-
Some more defensive lapses and RSL was definitely helped by Colorado's poor finishing and their inexplicable lack of offensive urgency for much of the half (and game). Findley was key to getting a goal and the offense looked somewhat dangerous. Decent, but not especially good half, however, to both teams' credit, conditions were less than ideal.

Pros:
-THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN CUP IS OURS!
-Robbie Findley gets the (much deserved) RSL Golden Boot for 2007.
-Crapids are knocked out of the playoffs, at home, by RSL.
-Kotschau showed an uncanny ability to break up some dangerous attacks.
-Esky looked much more into this game than he has in a while.
-RSL does not finish with the league's worst record.
-The Colorado fans (and coach) gave Pope a well deserved ovation and nice sendoff. Well done Denver!

Cons:
-Eddie Pope is no longer anchoring the RSL back line. God help us all.
-The defense was suspect for much of the match.
-RSL's crosses, by and large, are just awful.
-12th of 13 teams is not a good thing.

Game grade: B+
Based solely on play, I give RSL a C+ in this game. However, I feel a bonus is necessary after RSL came out tough on the road, against a team that HAD to win, and scraped out a rivalry win. They also clinched the team's first Rocky Mountain Cup. While a winning season would be nice, it is great for RSL fans to have something, anything, to hang their hat on. Well done boys, see you next year!

Player grades (subs and times in parentheses):
Nick Rimando-8 Made a few misjudgements, but those late saves were incredible.
Chris Wingert-5 Not his best game. Made some nice recoveries, but was beat a few times.
Matias Mantilla-5 OK game, but he's capable of much better
Eddie Pope-6+4 Not at his best either, but 4 bonus points for lifetime achievement :)
(Chris Lancos 54)-4 Pretty invisible
Ritchie Kotschau-8 Saved RSL's bacon numerous times
Nathan Sturgis-7 Disappeared for stretches but showed flashes and was active.
Carey Talley-7 His pass led to the goal, enough said.
Kyle Beckerman-6 Up and down game, hard to judge
Chris Brown-4 Nice play early, but invisible otherwise and then choked on as easy goal
(Andy Williams 73)-6 Decent play, his breakup led to the attack and goal
Alecko Eskandarian-7 Best game in a while, active and attacking
Fabian Espindola-4 Very active, but forced the action too much. PASS THE BALL!
(Robbie Findley 57)-8 Game & Cup winning goal. Period.

Men of the Match (tie): Robbie Findley and Nick Rimando
Game winner and game saver. Nicely done.

Assclown of the match: Pablo Mastroeni
Remember that crappy movie 'Cop and a Half' (yeah, neither do I)? Pablo is starring in the sequel, 'Chump and a Half', in which he cheap shots and taunts his way through the bad guys while looking for love in the seedy Denver underworld. Rated R for extreme douchebaggery.

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