No Star General

Looking back on the season, we've had our chances, and missed the ones that would have put us into the playoffs by now. Say what you want about the last half of the season, but the battle begins in camp, not when the army takes the field. A good general does his homework, remembers the past, pays attention to the scouting reports, and prepares his troops for the coming conflict. Now it's true that on any given Sunday or Wednesday or any other day of the week, a team may be victorious without a clearly defined strategy, but I would be willing to bet the win column heavily favors the prepared. Fortune may favor the bold, but the unprepared usually end up bloody. I do not question the talent nor the potential of Jason Kries. What I question is promoting the soldier to general and bypassing the ranks of experience that one gathers along the way. In my own experience I have grown into the role that I was originally given, but my staff was much smaller at the time, in fact it was just me. As the workload increased, the employees necessary to manage that load also increased to a now larger, but not quite huge, staff. Along the way I have made my share of mistakes and learned the proper way to handle various situations in the corporate jungle, but as I made those mistakes, the company did not crumble because I wasn't given the reigns of the company when I walked in the door.

There's a reason why almost every corporation and military system depends on experience to move employees and soldiers through the ranks. Can you imagine the outcome if a Lieutenant fresh out of West Point was given the reigns for the D-Day Invasion because he was "bold" and showed tremendous initiative? Am I suggesting that soccer games are as important as liberating Europe...absolutely not. When someone gets their pilots license are they handed the yolk to an Airbus (is that more palatable)?

What did we expect? What was Dave expecting? Again, I don't question his potential, but Dave dropped Jason behind enemy lines without a weapon, a compass, or a map, and sadly for us fans, it may be years before he "secures the bridge".

Born to Lose...or Draw

Our chances to make the playoffs were thin from the beginning. We came within a whisker of making the MLS Cup in '08, and even as the pain from the loss lingered, we set out to do what we had to do. The only problem is...we didn't. We had what we thought was a short list of improvements that would allow us a soft stroll into this years finals. But we fell asleep at the wheel. Every good team knows that a core of returning players is the key, but you have to make steps forward, not sideways. Filling holes in the boat is different than buying a new one, you're just biding your time until it leaks again, and a good coach will work hard in the off season shopping for a faster boat for the day when old Betty hits the bottom of the harbor.

We have two deficiencies that are haunting this team, and will continue to do so until changes are made. Call it solid financial management in a down economy, sentimentality, or simply stubbornness, the fact of the matter is, this team needs a quality striker and it needs an experienced coach, both of which we were unwilling or unable to pay for. 

Imagine you're the owner of a small or mid-size corporation and the world loves your product. Your management team keeps telling you that unless you invest in new technology your product will be obsolete in 2 years. Why invest millions when the people are already buying your shiny pet rocks. Why not just patch the old machines and make it work.

We're still buying the product, so why buy the shiny new machines, after all we might just squeak into the playoffs with some popsicle sticks, duct tape, and a little luck.

These are the times that try mens souls...

The question has been asked whether or not RSL fandom onlne is on the wane. Whether or not our collective quantity of posts on BigSoccer has diminished, I cannot say. What I can speak of is my own experiences and tendancies which I see not as an alarming situation, but a shift. My passion for all things RSL has not fallen off, but my posting and random thoughts have been reduced for several reasons. 

First and foremost my sons participation in competitive soccer has increased this summer, and I see weekly improvement, which I cannot gleen from RSL games as of late. Second, it seems as though the RSL BigSoccer boards have become more a forum for bitching about the Front Office and any topic worthy of an intelligent and insightful banter quickly turns into nonsensical back and forth between individuals that take the thread far beyond the subject into weeds to long to tread into. Third, I find myself enjoying the games more this year because of the comraderie we've found in Section 26, which gives more satisfaction to me and my family than spending countless hours on BigSoccer waiting for a response to my question posed or opinion offered only to see those online fly right by it and explain why Howard the Duck was the greatest movie never awarded an Oscar. 

Do not misunderstand, I will always be at every home game, and on my couch watching each road disaster, but it's the people, not the computer, that make me a fan, because the team isn't convincing me that they're going anywhere this season.

Over the Top & Underperform

It's all fine and good to get upset at the performance, or lack there of, last night against San Jose. I posted many comments throughout the second half, disgusted with almost every aspect of our game. The playoffs cannot be obtained this early in the season, but as many commented on Big Soccer, it can certainly be lost...this unfortunately is where we find ourselves. Rather than take the normal approach and highlight the play of a few, in the proceeding lines I will offer my take on the entire team collectively, then focus on the individual players. Why you might ask, because I need to get it off my chest before I continue with my Sunday, and, though I never played professionally, I have been a player & student of the game my entire life and my wife no longer wants to hear my observations, so print is the only medium I have left...here goes:

TEAM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I'M TIRED: 

We look tired EVERY game in the first half. We're supposed to be well conditioned...what happened (keeps happening). My take: high pressure to begin the game all over the field makes absolutely no sense. This is not the EPL and our tired legs make us that much sloppier in the second half...pick your spots to defend. If we're going to defend as a team, let's try light pressure when there's no immediate danger and stop killing our players legs in the first 20 minutes of the match. Like I keep telling my son, make them beat you, don't dive in and beat yourself.

POSSESSION ALONE DOES NOT EQUAL QUALITY SOCCER: 

We can knock the ball around all day, and the many quick short passes between Javi, Kyle, Will, and Ned are great to get out of immediate pressure, but it's not getting us anywhere. Sometimes I think JK gives the guys a Snickers bar every time they complete 5 quick passes in a row. Let's think about what's happening while we're playing keep away, they opposition is getting back in numbers.

GIVEAWAYS:

With our Diamond Midfield we're all about possession, so we dink around with the ball to relieve pressure, then we knock the ball out wide to Wingert or Russell, but instead of continuing to move the ball around and look for the opening, we lose patience and serve a worthless ball into the box where we usually have maybe 3 people against at least 6 or 7 defenders. Where's the patience? 

JOINING THE ATTACK:

I've addressed this before, but I'll bring it up again. Either serve an early ball when everyone's running and there's still space in the final third to put the ball into (see Clint Mathis) or have the patience to work the ball around and look for the opening. You can't setup the half court offense and then serve a shit ball into the box, because the midfielders who ran to join the attack now have to run back and help defend and there's NOTHING MORE FRUSTRATING THAN SPRINTING TO JOIN THE ATTACK AND WATCHING YOUR TEAMMATE PISS THE BALL AWAY. After a few or several times (depending on how committed the player is) of running your ass off for nothing the player will STOP MAKING THE RUNS ENTIRELY because it will most likely be a waste of time and energy.

MAKING RUNS OFF THE BALL:

The only time Yura & Findley make runs (Robbie's gotten better at this) is when they're expecting the ball to go over the top or into the corner. When we're setup for our "possession offense" the majority of our team (especially at the top of the box) are simply standing there clogging up the box (the only place we can score from) waiting for the ball....move dammit, move!!!!! I want to see some runs, clearing runs that distract the defense and mix them up a bit. Escalada & Espindola were actually trying to do this a bit yesterday and it seemed to be working a little until we completely abandoned attacking on the ground and went back to the over the top ball which wasn't effective especially since Findley & Yura were on the freakin' bench!!!

ATTACK: 

We were successful last year, and earlier this year because when there was a turn over we ran at the opposition, we actually attacked with speed and took defenders on. Now, we look for the back pass EVERY TIME to make sure we maintain possession. Which is fine and good, but we're losing any amount of attacking advantage there may have been.

ATTACK II:

Step One: Run at the defense, if you make them miss, then go to goal

Step Two: At the very least, make a defender commit to you and dish to your teammate who hopefully is making a slashing run (I know this is a lot to ask)

Step Three: if you're getting nowhere, get the ball to someone else and let them try (in hockey, this would be the equivalent of cycling behind the net, or in basketball, re-setting the play)

Step Four: don't just give up and throw a worthless ball in the air unless you actually have someone to get it to

TEAM DEFENDING:

We defend as a team and attack as 1 or 2 (depending on the formation). Why is Javi defending as deep as our fullbacks. How is he supposed to lead the attack if he has to sprint 75 yards to even get into a position to feed the forwards? Again, why are we high pressure all over the field, especially when it's nil-nil or we're winning? Why can't we play containment style of D in the middle third? The only place you NEED to win the ball is when the opposition is in a scoring position. Stop diving in Kyle, Wingert, etc, make THEM beat you!

OFFENSIVE WEAPONS:

Let's make sure we're clear on who we have and what they're good at (if anything):

Findley = fast and usually good quick shot when he has a CLEAR chance. If it's up to him to create the opportunity, there better be heaps of space and only one defender

Yura = not sure what Yura's good at, mostly disappointed with the fact that he's the BIG GUY we have but surrenders like a Frenchman when he gets bumped. Tired of watching him lose the ball, especially when he shielding the defender...pathetic so far this year.

Espindola = needs the ball on the ground to his feet so he can work his magic. Best when given a ball while he's moving and facing the defender. Not an over the top kind of player

Escalada = loks to be a lot like Espindola, yet not as good

PLAYERS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE GOOD OR ALRIGHT

Rimando: 

what can you say, he's a stud, would be a lot worse if he wasn't here. Plays with passion and should be captain in my opinion

Borchers: 

Nat plays hard every game, can't remember a game where he was the one who blew it. When mistakes happen they tend to be because Jamison put Nat in a bad situation or someone else blew it.

Olave:

Solid in the air, and a physical force to be reckoned with, but his mental mistakes and lack of one on one covering in the box has hurt us time and time again. I'm disappointed with his play, as a defender your mistakes lead to goals, and too often his focus let's him down. Maybe we should play a 4-4-2, with Olave as the Stopper and Borchers as the sweeper instead of a flat back 4.

Wingert:

Great first year with us, but since the new contract he's been horrible. Chris is a serious liability in the back now, and when we have a healthy alternative, he should be the first to go

Russell: 

jury's still out on Robbie, although he's not our problem in the back, I don't think he's rock solid either. However, I think Robbie would work best in a stopper situation in front of Borchers and behind Kyle. He's got speed and size, but also a solid soccer brain, and more composure and covering ability in the middle defensively would be great.

Beltran:

Can scare the shit out of me at times, but seems to be grasping the game a little better. Style is a bit unorthodox and his height is a liability, but couldn't do worse than Wingert at this point.

Will Johnson:

Where is the Will Johnson we saw last year, under control, speedy and taking players on the final third. It appears as if he's been sucked into the Diamond Midfield mentality and looks uneasy and unsure of himself unless he's passing the ball laterally or backwards. He's the only one on the team with limitless energy, so get him the ball 25 yards out and let him try and beat someone going to goal.

Kyle Beckerman:

This is a tough one, I don't know if Kyle is having a tough year or the system sucks for his style of play, but if I see another game of Kyle and his form of high pressure diving at players I may have to stop listening to Bob Marley in disgust. Your defensive center mid simply needs to slow down the attack, not dive-in & miss giving the opposition more numbers in the attack.

Clint Mathis:

Clint's not on the field for defense, so don't expect it, nor should we, because we need players to be more committed to the attack if we're going to have one. Has he had off games, sure, but if you go back and watch our games so far this season, I'd be willing to bet that most of our best offensive chances started with an early ball or quality through ball from Clint. I'm still on his side, because he may be older and a little slower, but his soccer mind is still top notch. I actually think if JK were to get canned and Checketts has to keep it in the family, give Mathis a shot...I know you think I'm crazy, but hear me out on this one. He was on the Nats, he's played outside the US, he's more passionate than most of the players & coaching staff, and he's not afraid to tell is teammates that they're playing like shit.

Javi:

Javi looks tired every game about 30 minutes in. He spends too much time and energy trying to be cute, mouthing off to the referee, and fighting with whoever is getting into his head to be effective this year. But like Kyle, I'm not sure who's fault it is, because it's clear that opposing coaches know exactly how to play us.

Grabavoy:

Ned plays the style of defense that I prefer and think is more effective. Which is to say that he tries to contain the man with the ball rather stabbing at it and missing. Many might say that this isn't aggressive enough, but my response to that: the only place you NEED to take the ball away is within scoring distance. Playing containing defense in the middle third of the field means we wouldn't wear ourselves out, and we would force the opponent work harder (wearing them out and frustrating them - which is what everyone does to us!) So far, I like Ned and hope that he starts as the defensive ctr mid against Colorado.

Yura:

Starting to look like a failed experiment, which is sad because he could be a physical force to be reckoned with. Does not have the touch to beat players one-on-one unless he's in the box and the defender has a greater tendency to over commit, otherwise all defenders need to do is back off a step and let him try and dance, which usually results in a turnover. I'm starting to believe that Yura just doesn't get it, and as we used to say back in college, you can't put in what God left out, and Yura just doesn't understand the game.

Findley:

He's our best scoring threat still and you gotta love the guy because he busts his ass every game. If he had good touch, holy shit would he be dangerous. If I were coaching Robbie, he'd be on another field by himself for half of practice juggling and doing simple touch drills. Sadly, he seems to be the only one that makes runs to get open in the offensive third.

Not reviewed because I haven't seen enough of them this year: Joy, Espindola, Escalada, Cox, Alexandre, Horst, Nunez

There you have it almost 2 hours of my life, now I feel better, thanks for reading!!!!

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http://4foosball.blogspot.com/

We've gone from Suck to Blow

1) Olave is not to blame for Seitz' injury...he was attempting to clear the ball. A defender cannot pause to see (or ask) if the Keeper is coming out to make a play on the ball, because indecision leads to cheap goals. As a defender you must attack the ball to clear it, again waiting on the ball also leads to cheap goals. Keepers are taught taught to make their presence known (yell) when leaving the goal line especially when their teammates are in their path, because defenders typically have their backs to them.

2) It was an accident plain and simple...a spilt second decision from both of them, no time for "I got it you take it". You can bet there would be a lot more people on these boards complaining if both of them would have stopped and looked at each other while someone tapped it in. I recv'd a bruised kidney from a play in college almost exactly like this one. Running full speed toward the goal, slid to clear the ball, keeper (on-rushing) slides to make the save, wet field, collision - keeper's knee to my back...out for 2 months. No ones fault, we were both going for the ball. Freak accident!

3) Bench 'Em or Start 'Em: It's time to take a serious look at several performances:
KYLE: has been VERY ineffective in the last 3 games as the Defensive Ctr Mid - when Ian comes back why not try Russell at D-Mid (good in the air & fast). Your defensive Ctr Mid should be good at being defensive!
YURA: piss poor, bad decision making and unable to strike a ball well. His size isn't doing anything for us.
WILL: we love him for his effort for 90 minutes, but he's no longer taking players on and beating them (which could be attributed to our forwards lack of ability in a) holding the ball up, and b) distribution)
WINGERT: new contract = sophomore slump. Chris looks like his mind is somewhere other than the pitch right now. Sit him down and get his head right.
FINDLEY, ANDY, GRABAVOY, COX: subs.
ESPY, ESCALADA: lace 'em up, it's your turn

We're at a crossroads...I understand we've built a family, and the organization as a whole functions better when we care about each other, but someone has to be the parent. JK, it's not your job to their best friend, it's your job to get them to perform to the best of their ability, and sometimes that means a kick in the ass instead of a hug. You should have started Saturday night with wind sprints after the game!
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http://4foosball.blogspot.com/

What's the 4-5-1

I don't fault Jason for implementing a new formation for road games, nothing else was working, but it requires selecting the right tools if it is to be effective. My criticism is based on the following truths about this team's style of play.

1) Our outside backs are encouraged (dare I say expected) to get into the attack at every opportunity
2) Our biggest strength is our midfield
3) Our main offensive weapons are speed (beating players outright) and the through ball from our creative midfielders.
4) We do not have all-star forwards capable of creating scoring threats consistently through their skill alone.

Using the items above accepted as truth, I have observed the following of the 4-5-1 in it's RSL incarnation. This may get technical, so go relieve yourself and grab a beverage, it may take a while.

1) Yura is not the right forward to be the 1.
In the 4-5-1 your forward has 2 options when receives or tracks down the ball: a) try to beat the defender marking you , or b) hold it up and dish to re-enforcements coming to your aid. You should only implement option A if you have one man to beat to be in position to score, yet Yura was taking on defenders by his lonesome all night, ignoring option B. This poor decision making leads too....

2) Wearing out your midfield.
Too often Saturday night, our midfield (and our outside backs) were rushing up the field to support Yura, only to watch him (or someone else) lose the ball foolishly by forcing something (which we tend NOT TO DO AT HOME). Nothing wears out your midfielders faster (and pisses them of as well) than running up and down the field to join the attack, only to have to slam on the breaks and sprint to recover from a turnover in hopes of....

3) Preventing an odd man rush and the resulting scoring opportunity.
With your midfield wearing itself out running up and down the field all night, possession and defending in the midfield becomes less and less effective as the minutes tick by. I'm sorry but Javi, Kyle, and Clint cannot run wind sprints for 90 minutes, but Will can. So I guess we give Will the ball and we hope he can get it to....

3) Robbie Findley
Why not Robbie instead of Yura? He's a lot faster so he could actually turn a ball over the top into a breakaway, and even though his touch isn't great, he's as good as Yura with his first touch usually being backwards.

If we don't beat KC on Saturday, we'll be lamenting more than the 4-5-1 when the boys come home from their extended road trip!

--
http://4foosball.blogspot.com/

Killing Pablo

Pablo Mastroeni did his job...period. Skill is not his trade and you
would sooner find Pablo conductor of the NY Philharmonic than winning
the Golden Boot. It's why we love to hate him when we play against the
Crapids, but we cheer for him on the Nats Team. He's on the pitch to
pester the shit out of everyones center midfielder...that's it. When
you don't have finesse, keep throwing body blows and they'll at least
think about coming inside for the rest of the night. In NHL terms,
he's Shawn Avery, and he has a place on his team because of his
ability to get in the head of his opponent, and as we saw on Saturday,
Javi was so pissed at Pablo he was rendered useless. Job well done
Pablo...now Mr. Kreis, who's gonna shadow Pablo in SLC when we play
the Crapids next, because if were relying on the league to tae Pablo,
we'll be waiting for a VERY long time!

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http://4foosball.blogspot.com/

Again with the things, and the stuff....oi!

The talking heads put it elegantly several years ago..."Same as it ever was". The road, as it is to long distance runners, is unkind to the body RSL. We revel in our home victories as one voice proclaiming to the league that we have truly arrived. Jason Kreis....super star, and the second coming of Garth have performed a master stroke in developing a team on the cheap that plays an attractive style of football, with a full complement of international no names destined to be stars of the league....then......wait for it.....wait for it....(close your eyes and hearken back to your childhood and Saturdays filled with Wile E. Coyote)...."THUD" and the cloud of smoke at the bottom of the NYRB ravine. I fall for it every time, pleading with my friends, "this time, we'll definitely beat the Pink Cows, they're really poor this year". Somehow, we just can't get up for the away game, like we can for a Riot match. Is it coaching, or is it simply a psychological phenomenon that rings true for all sports in general? Why do you think Tiger Woods spends time and money on a sports psychologist? "90 percent of the game is half mental", ain't that the truth Yogi. Me, I keep telling myself that our first away game on grass will be completely different since we're not used to the plastic anymore, but who knows, maybe I'm just mental!

--
http://4foosball.blogspot.com/

DC is closer than we think...

Even if it was painful, you could understand the struggle to build a Soccer Specific Stadium in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountain range. What, if anything, had the fledgling franchise accomplished in it's first few years in the league besides mediocrity (if it was that good)? Those who considered themselves die-hard soccer fans, and even occasional supporters, rose every morning with a singular purpose in starting the day...would we or wouldn't we? Downtown, West-Side, Sandy, Provo, was hotly debated amongst the fans but the local media seemed to dash our hopes at every print run. "Soccer would be a bust with the tax payers holding the bag when the league goes belly up", they said. "Why should our taxes pay for something that profits private business", was just one of the misconceptions perpetuated by the haters of the beautiful game. Then, the death blow, Mayor Caroon betrayed his earlier supportive stance armed with on an economic study from a third party. It was done. It may seem like ages ago, but the battlescars are only beginning to heal on the hearts of the RSL supporters. As we celebrate our beautiful new venue each and every week through spring, summer, and fall, we must now turn our support to our brethren from the Northeast who are waging their own struggle with the powers that be. This Saturday, Screaming Eagles, welcome to Rio Tinto Stadium, the arena that nobody wanted. Though the pain is now upon you, take comfort, it will come, after all , they can't say to you...."what have you accomplished?"

What have we done?

"Should we shout, should we scream, what happen to the post war dream...."

Did we believe our own post (and pre) season hype? Or are we simply slow starters. History would point to the latter. As a fan, and it being the day after, I am forced to review my own BS posts from last night with the disgust akin to an early morning walk of shame. You see, I'm passionate about my team, and that's no excuse for my behavior but thank the heavens that I'm not Jason Kreis, because I shudder to think how the team might feel today if I had laid into them with my frustration from last night. JK isn't merely a coach, he's the leader, and right or wrong his comments about the game are warranted, and dare I say wise. He may have been throwing up in his mouth a little after the 1st goal and the 2nd may have started the '09 ulcer, but as the rest of verbally spewed at our televisions, he remembered the most important thing about leadership. If the ship has begun to sink and the wheels are wobbling to the edge of falling off, he must keep a level head. Though too early to grip the rails and hold on for the death spiral (it was only our first match) nothing would make the journey to the bottom faster than if JK was overheard on the bench predicting the apocalypse. Leadership should and must keep it together while Rome may be burning, because that is the only hope to right the ship. Can you only imagine if McArthur had stood in front of his men and triumphantly claimed "We're screwed, I'm on the first plane back to the states, good luck boys!" or FDR in his big speech to congress the day after "the day that will live in infamy" had confidently announced, "holy shit that was horrible, let's hope they don't do that again or we're really f****d"! Nay, JK did the right thing, he mentioned that we did some things right but we need to get to work if we're going to be successful; and thank God, for most of us, that were not Jason Kreis!

See you Thursday night!
GO RSL!

Really....seriously...

"OK so David you go on your mission and I'll wait for you...but....I might....maybe....just go out with friends while you're gone...if that's ok!"

So Golden Balls is going to stay with his mistress in Milan, but he promises to work real hard to get his life together and someday he'll come back to his wife and kids in L.A.....you know after he "finds himself". So at this point MLS is the scorned woman who needs to act like it's got some self respect left and deliver the "you know what Mr. Beckham, you go ahead and stay in Milan, you're shit will be on the lawn if you want it". But, as we all know, this won't happen, because it's a business, and the Galaxy need to collect some money on their investment, which Mr.Spice knew all along. Let him go at the end of the year for free or get something out of him before he goes. LA's a whore, but at least she got paid right.

My President, Our Country, Our Team

You can't help but notice the difference between George W and Barack, be you a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Green Party, you cannot dispute his mastery of the English language; which against the backdrop of the last 8 years is even more impressive. But more important than the words he speaks are the ideas that we've all needed to hear for several decades. Sticking our collective heads in the sand doesn't make the our problems magically disappear. If we want to see the action that we so desperately crave that will make all of our lives better, safer, and cleaner. We NEED to hear this, we NEED the kick in the groin, but we don't need to turn around and point fingers at the ones behind us that caused some of the heartache. How much progress can we make by spending our hours laying blame? It begins with us.

The same should be said of the latest RSL postings on Big Soccer. It takes a moment to bitch and come up with a list of things that can and should be done, but who among us is ready and willing to step in and bridge the gap with constructive feedback to Front Office (myself included)? I'm not talking about sending a bitchy email to Trey, I'm talking about the grass roots efforts (that most us would agree) it will take to keep this thing growing. I give full credit to the men and women who have spent countless hours starting and growing the Supporters Groups. Has the pre-season coverage in Tampa been amazing...no, now compare it to last year. We're in the middle of a recession, we're working towards a black bottom line, and who among us can respond with certainty that the "Behind the Shield" in the "Behind the Shield" is a full time media production and blogging professional? Who among us knows whether or not he/she isn't the assistant equipment manager who's multitasking to make the rent on his/her one room studio in West Valley and is simply contributing any way they can for the love of the team. And if he/she is, keep taking steps forward, because it is not productive to keep looking behind.

U-S-A, U-S-A, R-S-L, R-S-L!

Fox Hates Soccer....and Kittens......and You!

To quote one of my favorite programs...."he doesn't hate Easy Company, he just hates you!". In reality, Fox doesn't hate soccer (Fox Soccer Channel = same guy), Fox hates everything. You may have heard the term "If it bleeds, it leads" when someone is referring to the tendency of journalism to lean toward bad news. There's a reason for that. Most people, call it human nature if you will, love the drama and the "agony of defeat". The more spectacular or bizarre, the better. We love to rubberneck on the highway, we love our 30 car pileups at the NASCAR track on Sunday. Fox news, if not every media outlet, relies on controversy, argument, fear, and hate for their ratings. If it doesn't scare you, piss you off, make you crap your pants, or make you go "ooooooooohhhh", they know you'll turn the channel. Advertising dollars don't come runnin' for 30 minute programs of frolicking kittens. For those of you painfully unaware of how this game works, I recommend you find a copy of "Culture of Fear", you can read on your way to the hardware store to buy duck tape and plastic when the Department of Homeland Security announces the next terrorist anthrax attack.

Sign Here

We're creeping up on a month until the MLS season begins, even though we're not sure where Beckham, we'll start without him if we have to! Spring is in the air and the new additions to other MLS teams are sprouting everywhere. The question for most of us is what will RSL look like when the whistle blows on March 28th in Seattle? We have trialists that have come and gone, but nothing has been solidified. Is this cautious optimism; JK & GL looking at EVERY possibility before they sign anyone? Or is a new trend emerging? Are we falling in love with someone only to find out that they have a boyfriend/girlfriend back home? Signing a player, especially from a foreign country, is a complicated game. Clearly it's not enough to have a good team and great home support. What kind of money would it take for you to pickup your life and move to another country? Sure Salt Lake is nice, great stadium, beautiful mountains, but what if next year I could go to New York? One would think we have great ambassadors for culture shock experiment in Javi & Jamison. Do we have the money to sign the right players, or is this simply how the negotiation process works: offer - threat - counter offer - sign/reject. One thing is for sure, other MLS teams are solidifying their rosters, how long can we/should we wait to solidify ours?

You talkin' to me...

David Beckham has disrespected the MLS. Whether or not he returns to the Galaxy, I for one hope the fans in MLS show him no respect in return. To be sure, the women will still show up in hopes that he removes his shirt, and the stars in LA will come out to see the Becks-Posh show, but the rest of us should turn our backs. Is he still a quality player, yes, the best player in MLS, no. The quotes we have seen from Golden Balls himself have damaged the credibility of MLS. Now, realizing he may be coming back to LA, he's changed his tune.The league has grown and year by year attracts more talent from around the world. We are gaining respect every year that we are in operation as the quality of the product improves. No longer does that growth require talent from Europe (if it ever did). We seem to be attracting more than enough talent from South America to fill each teams needs. We have passed the threshhold of begging for talent and attention from across the pond. What do you do with an employee that you know doesn't want to be there. Right, now what do you do with that employee when you know they're the one that puts butts in the seats. How does this play out when Becks walks out of the tunnel on opening night for the Galaxy? To show the rest of the world we can stand on our own two feet, we must hold out for what's right, a resepectable amout of cash and perhaps a player, because the idea that Becks will pout and tank his game in the midst of World Cup Qualifying is ridiculous. I'm with you Mr. Garber , no one player is bigger than MLS...finally!

Dos - Zero

Once again the boys from the north tame the southern invaders. It wasn't exactly the beautiful game, but I'll take it. Is there any doubt that this has become THE game to watch in this hemisphere? The goals weren't exactly pretty but you have to give it to young Michael on being the opportunist. Personally, any game Oswaldo Sanchez gets embarrassed is a good game in my book (anyone forget his swipe at LD a few years ago); that second goal by Bradley has to give him nightmares. How about the cheap shots: Marquez on Howard (ejection) and the knocks on LD and Jozy late in the game. They hate us, which is fine because we hate them back. The concern I have is the abundance of cheap shots that seem to be getting worse, but this is where Bob Bradley comes in, "smile, get up, and walk away boys"! This is Bradley's doing...he's no Bruce Arena, and that's a good thing. We still have a young team that at times struggles to figure out who they are on the pitch, but Bob's "score board" attitude works and gives us the confidence and mental fortitude it will take in 2010. Mexico hates us because they no longer dominate North America. Look no further than last nights episode between the Mexican assistant and Frankie Hejduk. Many have voiced the opinion that Surfer Dude should have grown a pair and retaliated, but that's not Bob's way. Competitive and feisty, yes, stupid and reactionary, no. We didn't just beat Mexico on the pitch, we outclassed them even after the game, and THAT is why Mexico hates us.

How do we file for Moral Bankruptcy?

How many billion so far to bail out the bankers, the auto manufacturers, and the rest of the Wall Street gang? $800 billion ready to hand out to the rest of the country to try and get the economy back on it's feet. Amidst all this talk of limiting pay for execs who sink their companies, and the necessity of keeping the auto companies afloat, we seem to have skipped past the gluttonous excess that got us here in the first place. It's all fine and good that we lambast the suits for the fate we're all suffering but let's take a look in the ponds reflection before we throw another stone in. Long ago in this country we lost the ability to ask our ourselves "do I NEED this or do I WANT this" when we're standing at the supersale at Gigantic Boat Inc in the middle of Kansas getting ready to sign the proceeds of our 3rd mortgage on the 40ft Cabin Cruiser with gold pinstriping on the bow. Blaming the guy at Gigantic is as appropriate and non-sensical as suing the pimple faced teenager that sold you the bucket of chicken for your triple bypass. But in the good 'ole USA, you can sue the tobacco company for their product giving you cancer and the police for shooting your uncle when he was caught robbing the Kwikee-Mart and wouldn't "Halt"! Blame whomever you want, but the banker didn't make you sign and the chicken didn't jump down you're throat. I don't know where it began (and no it's not the fault of television or rock-n-roll), but we need to put the parents of the next generation through the rigorous training some of us got from our parents; it's called "NO, you don't need that". And I don't want to hear that you work so hard to give your kids everything you didn't have....BS, you're lazy and you're escaping from something driving the Audio Quattro that you can barely fit in. Grow a pair, push yourself away from the bucket of chicken and give your kids something they're really gonna need, the ability to say NO to the thinsg they don't need and can't afford...especially now since they won't be able to retire!

What a long strange trip it's been...(and will be)

The Pool:
So Keane is back to Tottenham, and couldn't be happier, and Crouch (he's big, he's red, his feet stick out the bed) has come to his aid telling the masses who don't follow Liverpool that Rafa's player selection methods are a bit whacked. I must admit the past few months have been very strange, but we've turned a new corner in the "uh-oh" department with Stevie G's hamstring. The Robbie saga took up all our transfer window time, so all our cards are on the table and I don't think the river will be kind to us....however, half time at Stamford Bridge, and the Tigers are holding off the blues, so it still looks like a 2 team race for the title...which is good!

RSL:
Much of the talk as of late centers around the training camp additions and the lack of team coverage coming from the clubs PR department. While we sit and wait (in the dark) we'll all contnue to speculate whether or not any of our new hopefuls will turn out if any. I remind you all of the fact that were a small market team, and event though we have fantastic attendance, we don't have the bank roll to land the big dollar names. While some of you may lament this fact, I for one welcome the aproach (even if we were Man City) of finding median priced diamonds in the rough. I believe this allows us to build a more stable group of players that can/will become a team as opposed to a shell with hired guns coming in for only a year at a time. We've all seen what an ego can do to a team (see Dallas Cowboys, Philly Eagles, and Terrel Owen). As far as the media coverage of our squad, it could certainly be better, and I would love to help them with that. I have an extensive event, video, and communication background that would be perfect for exactly this type of situation.....just send me an email Mr. Fitz-Gerald....foosball4@gmail.com

New Striker?

This from an MLS Rumors 'reliable' source... 'Vincente Vuoso to Real Salt Lake?' Mexican Striker to replace Kenny & Espy?

This is supposedly from as reliable source, how reliable, who knows? tIf the story is to be believed, then we have let go 2 strikers for one that we're working on that is currently only a 80% chance at happening. Is this a good gamble, or did we clear more cap space to meet his demands...is a hand shake deal enough to offload 2 players, or is there a back-up? My guess with JK & Garth's past dealings they've got an option A, B, and C. We'll see which one pans out.

I don't know much about this player, but a youtube video of him scoring a re-direct header off a free kick does not show me quality...I need more proof during the run of play.

If you read the MLS Rumors story....why will he be in Columbus?

I'm baaaaaaaaack!

Rafa?

What has gotten into Rafa Benitez? Some speculate the pressure at the top of the table has gotten to him. The Red Devils nipping at their heels and bolstering their claim with a 3 nil drubbing of the Blues. Is he deflecting the pressure from Gerard's legal troubles? Tired of Sir Alex's supposed preferential treatment and mind games. Or has Rafa simply lost his mind....what do you think?

Real

Is RSL serious about shopping Seitz or silencing the interest across the board with too high a price tag? What about Espy, is he here to stay or gone as soon as we find a suitable replacement? Any ideas on who we're looking at? April can't come too soon for me...how are you biding your time?

Road Weary

I can understand why RSL struggles on the road, being away from home is tough, especially when home is a great place to be. Nothing like flying over those snow covered mountains on your float down to the SLC tarmac...nothing like 20,000 fans that love you no matter what....a brand new house with a lovely green mat...or your family smiling at the end of the escalator. I've been to many places too many times and seen all I want to see in too many cities....but I can't ever get enough of home...for too many reasons. Here's to home...here's to April!

Warmer weather...be back soon

Out of town on a business trip...I'll be back this weekend. Any news on the MLS or EPL front, think I'm an idiot,...shoot me an email: foosball4@gmail.com!

Cut Backs

Can we ask Mr. Obama to save our butts if we aren't willing to save our own first. What I see and hear on a daily basis from every news outlet is figures about how bad it will get before it gets better. And who knows what "better" will be this time around. I'd like to believe that THIS TIME we've learned our lesson, but what I see every day on my way home from work, or on the way to the grocery store tells me otherwise. If we're on the verge of another Great Depression, the waiters & waitresses at Johnny Carino's wouldn't know it, neither would the clerks at Pier One. We're all geniuses when it comes to what's wrong with the BIG 3 and the how wrong it is for congress to hand them a bailout check, while we answer "credit" to the girl behind the Cinabon counter swiping our plastic. Here's our chance to set our priorities straight, for our ourselves, our families, the country, and the planet....what? gas is $1.30 a gallon, and there's 0% APR on the 2008 H3.....we'll cut back next tim
e!

Happy New Year....Day 2

Big moves on the horizon?

EPL:
-Mr. Given is not happy at Newcastle, but neither is anyone else. Owen will most likely move on and since no one wanted to buy his club, the owner has a new found fondness for his side
-Man City got the Bridge...what else will they throw down for?
-Red Devils got a pair (Serbian pair Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic), and appear satisfied
-Portsmouth apparently have a load of players to offload, but can they attract any new talent?

Heskey, Defoe, Bellamy, and Pennant seem to be on a lot of managers minds...who will win the bidding war?

Should be intersting

MLS:
Still not too much to report, no one in a hurry to sign foreign prospects until the MLS draft? 3.75 months till the season openers...let's get crackin!