Oh good, another friendly … RSL v Everton, July 21

By: Ian Rose | June 16th, 2007

In an effort to rack up the highest ratio of friendly wins to league wins in football history (oh wait, you can’t divide by zero … damn …), Real Salt Lake will be facing none other than Everton FC on July 21 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Apparently, the Toffees will be playing another match on their US trip as well, but I’m not sure against whom.

July 21st also happens to be just two days after the MLS All Star Game against Celtic, which normally would be a problem … but I expect RSL to be quite well rested that week, unless a pure name-recognition vote gets Freddy Adu in. I’m not piling on the “Make Fun of Freddy” train - but he’s not an All Star, not this year. Frankly, Nick Rimando is probably the player most deserving of a spot, despite his awful play in the first few matches of the season. But the problem with being keeper is you only need one or two to make a team, and I’m not sure he’d even be in my top two for the entire league.

So, mark it down. RSL v. Everton. On a personal note, Everton will be adding to the wondrous Scottishness of the All Star break, since the squad features a few Scots on their first team, including Scotland international Gary Naysmith. At best, the match will give RSL fans another chance to taste gratifying, but ultimately meaningless friendly victory. And, on the bright side, Everton shares a city with Liverpool fans … they likely have a thicker skin about offensive flags and signs than the Chinese side did, so go ahead. Go nuts. Think of it as a challenge.