An-dy Will-iams!!! RSL over Red Bulls 2-0
By: Rocky Cole | October 15th, 2009
Yes We Can!!! Real Salt Lake was at the base of Mount Timpanogos last night and things looked bleak, but now RSL is half way up the mountain. When the game began last night in Rio Tinto, RSL was four points out of a potential playoff spot with three games left. After Andy’s winning goal, and then the cracking insurance goal by Fabian Espindola, RSL is now one point out of the playoffs with two games left. While a win last night keeps them in the hunt, what gives me even more hope is the fact that the team controlled the midfield and no one got red carded or seriously injured. Coach Kreis wanted controlled intensity and that is what he got for the most part.
There is a fine line to be walked between intensity and desperation, and while RSL seemed almost desperate at the start of they game, the team eventually settled down and methodically kept coming at the Red Bulls. Again, it comes back to control of the midfield and building offensive thrusts into the heart of the opponents defense. You control, build an attack, and move the ball from side to side for a shot. RSL had intensity from the start of the game, but intensity and aggressiveness doesn’t get you good shots and goals.
By the second half the Red Bulls seemed worn down and lost their defensive shape, and that was when RSL was able to capitalize. Some of the professional commentators were questioning Coach Kreis’s decision to leave Findley on the bench until the second half, but now Kreis looks like a genius. He let the Red Bulls wear themselves down some and then brought in Robbie Findley and Andy Williams and lo and behold, Findley comes down the right side and crosses a ball in that Williams picks up off a slight deflection for the game winner. Genius.
Now, on to Toronto FC. RSL can still make their own destiny with another win. I’d rather that they not wait until the final game of the season against the Rapids. Road games have been hard for RSL this year, but a win or tie in Toronto would make the mountain significantly smaller. In Utah, we know all about mountains.
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I’m not terribly happy with Red Bulls for not knocking you out of the horde trying to catch us, but I guess I’ll survive. I like RSL. I guess I can hope for everybody else to get knocked out this weekend. Or for Seattle to beat KC, which would mean it wouldn’t matter.
Off topic, how is Andy Williams’ wife doing? I’m assuming she’s back home now? This may sound odd, but when she was in Seattle at Hutch I actually considered stopping by and just leaving a get well card at the desk. My son was undergoing cancer treatments this summer too — much less intense, high probability of cure. But every time I thought about them I couldn’t imagine having to do it more than a thousand miles from home.
Never did, though. I still regret it.
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United States
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I have always thought that Andy Williams was an underrated, underused player.
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United States -
If we lose in Toronto it is over. We need to win both to have a chance.
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United States -
Laurie, I understand that Andy Williams wife is in remission. The bone marrow transplant has been a success so far. Andy has always been a crowd favorite and it was nice to hear some good news about his wife. He really came through for RSL in this game and I think he will stay around next season, too.
It has been great to see the support that he and his wife got from not only his teammates and the local fans, but throughout the league. I have seen awareness and fundraisers and donor events in DC and Chicago and other places when RSL was in town. Amazing, actually.
And last time I checked, the Sounders were not threatened by RSL. New England, now that is another matter.
RSL needs to keep winning to make the playoffs.
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United States
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