They’ve got our goats: Chivas 3, RSL 1 (updated)

By: Fitz | April 6th, 2008

I haven’t posted player ratings. I explain why below.

FIRST AND FOREMOST …

This game was quite the reminder about how much RSL must improve the reach the upper tier. Are they better? Yes. Did they control the ball for stretches last night? Yep, that too. However, and I don’t know exactly how to quantify this, but the best way to compare the two teams last night is this:

When RSL had the ball, they possessed it.

When Chivas had the ball, they threatened.

Again, I don’t know how you back something like that up with stats. But I was rarely on the edge of my seat saying, “Real’s got a scoring chance brewing here.” I saw them move the ball wide, and I saw them be patient, but I wasn’t feeling like something special was going to happen.

After watching Fabian and Yura create chances last week against Chicago, I just didn’t feel good about much Saturday unless the ball was served to Kenny Deuchar’s head. He was great last night, by the way. Not only did he win balls in the air but he put them in a spot for teammates to do something. And by “something,” I mean Robbie Findley kicking the ball 10 yards ahead of him on the first touch. But back to the Doctor: Once Chivas realized how strong he was in the air, he was receiving quite the attention. He was tackled (American football style, not soccer style) in the area one time. No foul.

So I reiterate what I’ve said in the week leading up to the season and after last week’s tie. RSL are better than last year, and they will get better as everyone gets used to each other. Last night made it obvious there’s still work to be done. And I don’t mean that in a negative way. Just being realistic.

LINEUP CHANGES

Lesson learned. I’m not predicting lineups anymore. They’re going to be wrong.

The Doctor and Findley started up front, and Dema Kovalenko replaced Andy Williams. Findley was unproductive. Yura was lights out when he came in. Which leads me to …

THE UNANSWERED QUESTION

Who starts up front next week? I don’t think Kreis can go wrong with Deuchar-Movsisyan or Deuchar-Espindola.

I LIED ABOUT PLAYER RATINGS

I still haven’t watched the game again, so I won’t post player ratings — at least until/if I watch the game again. For example, I left the game not exactly pleased with Rimando’s timing on the first goal, but after watching highlights I can honestly say he timed coming out as best he could. So for me to post ratings based on what I saw live would be unproductive.

Suffice it to say Carey Talley did not play his best. I liked him in the opener. Against Chivas, obviously, he made too many mistakes. My gut tells me to campaign for Nathan Sturgis to start. I’ll explore that in a separate post later this week (credit Black Prince for raising the issue in comments below).

For more on Talley, including the player’s thoughts, check out the James Edward blog at the Deseret News.

DOES THIS SUCK OR WHAT?

Alecko Eskandarian in 2007 with RSL: 17 games played — 1,448 minutes played — 1 goal

Atiba Harris in 2007 with RSL: 21 games played — 1,259 minutes played — 0 goals

Let’s combine those two, shall we? 2,707 minutes played — 1 goal.

Those two guys for Chivas USA last night: 2 goals.

OTHER THOUGHTS

** The crowd was something else. Passionate and very kid-friendly — a combo you don’t often see. I was very impressed with the paper airplane-throwing skills of some of them.

** Cheerleaders at soccer games? For freakin’ real? At least I learned that “ChivaGirls” is the proper usage in English and Spanish.

** Halftime show involved an 11-a-side game played between two companies. Fan favorite had to be the guy wearing a pro wrestling outfit, complete with cape and mask. On the other team — and what a huge surprise this is — a radio personality had a jersey with the number 69. Oh, hardy har har, I get it. Sixty-nine. Like the sexual position. I haven’t laughed so hard since I saw every college fraternity flag football team hold fights to see who’d emerge with the bragging rights to wear 69. Oh, such rapier wit.

** Aggregate score of RSL-Chivas games played at HDC: Chivas, 18-3. It’s nice to know both teams entered the league in the same year.