USA vs Guatamala

First off, Colorado soccer fans are terrible. I bet there were less than 4,000 people there at the game. What a joke.

Here are the player grades:
Brad Guzan, Thorrington Clarence Goodson, Michael Parkhurst Johnathan Bornstein - 7 - I think the entire defense played well. They showed up, did their job, didn't do anything stupid and didn't allow any goals.

Freddy Adu - 8 - Awesome goal off the free kick in the 69th minute. What a great play by Kjlestan to go over it and what a nice kick by Adu. I personally have never been an Adu fan, simply because he was terrible in his short stint with Real Salt Lake, but the more I watch him on the National team, the more I like him.

Pablo Mastroeni - 6 - Stupid yellow card, won't play in the next WC Qualifier.

Ricardo Clark - 6 - Great feet and good ball movement. Didn't do anything spectacular.

Sacha Kjlestan - 7 - Great work getting forward and back.

Jozy Altidore - 8 - Great work getting open throughout the game. He is so strong and fast and will be a huge threat come WC 2010.

Kenny Cooper - 8 - Great play, should have had a goal in the 31st minute. Glad he scored in the second half. It was a great goal. Cooper now has two goals in three games for the US. How can he not be on every roster? It sure felt like he was playing to earn a regular spot on the team.

Subs:
Brian Ching, Conner Casey, Davy Arnaud - 5 - Didn't do much in the short time they were on the field.

While watching the game I couldn't help but wonder if any Real Salt Lake players would have made the squad had they been knocked out by Chivas. I don't see Beckerman making the team because the midfield was pretty stacked. As much as I hate Ricardo Clark and Mastroeni, I can see why they consistently get chosen - they seem to always play well for the USA. I wonder if Seitz would have made the 18-man roster, and backed up Guzan. I could see Borchers or Russell getting considered, especially basing it on their recent play. Does Yura have US citizenship? Could he have made the camp?

With that said, is it possible for Beckerman, Borchers, Russell, Findley, Seitz to make the team when we have a friendly at Rio Tinto Stadium?

Real Salt Lake vs. New York Recap

What a match. Games like this are the reason I watch soccer. It was an intense game from start to finish. I was most please with the crowd. Finally RSL got the fans they deserved. I thought RSL played extremely well and it was just one of the nights where the ball wouldn't go into the net. I think every player left what they had on the field and it seemed from the post game quotes that the players were sad, but knew that sometimes luck favors the opposing team. I think RSL has a bright future. I went to autograph alley after the game and Findley, Fabian, Deuchar and Will were there. You could see the disappointment in their faces, but at the same time, you could see that they knew they accomplished something great this year. Perhaps the best momemnt of the game was when the RSL faithful started chanting "R-S-L" after the game. Truely the best match of 2008.
GO RSL!

RSL vs New York Preview

I have been so busy lately that I barely have time to blog, but I am here now and that's all that matters. The past few weeks have been crazy. School is starting to get stressful, work is getting busy and RSL is close to winning the MLS Cup. I am still recovering from the Utah vs. TCU game, but I will be ready for the RSL vs. New York game. I think we will win because we have home field advantage - We always play well at home. True, NY has been the only team not to lose at Rio Tinto, but, RSL was so nervous on the opening night and we played terrible. We will be able to settle down and attack all night long. I have really thought all our players have played really lately and that is why we are in the Western Conference Championship. Yura has been amazing, Clint has been good. Javi has played like the MVP he deserved. Dema has played amazing, despite people wanting Andy to start in front of him. Kyle has been a true leader. Will has only fueled the fire. Joy has been solid. Olave and Nat have been unbeatable. Wingert and Russell have gotten forward in the attack yet still playing amazing D. Rimando has been amazing too. It is a shame none of our team got any postseason awards. But, I think everyone will get their reward in the form of the MLS Cup. We can win it all if we continue to have heart.

See ya the Rio on Saturday