Your first RSL blog of 2008

By: Fitz | February 20th, 2008

Hi. I once picked up a red card while playing in a women’s game. And I’m a guy.

There. You have dirt on me. Here’s more: I am Mark Fitzhenry, or Fitz, or Your Fearless Leader, or The Guy Who Got A Red Card In A Women’s Game. I’m your humble blogger for Real Salt Lake, and I have been a fan for all of 2 hours and 17 minutes. But Offside told me they wanted an RSL blogger, and despite my response (“What the hell do I know about Internet connection speeds?”), I got the job.

In all seriousness, I’m a soccer guy. Played it in high school. Ran my own team in Colorado Springs. Play for a men’s team in L.A. I, like everyone else on this site, want to see soccer thrive in the U.S. – and that means reporting on Le Game Beautiful and generating discussions about it.

Having said that, I’m still trying to get a firm grasp on MLS’ rules and regulations. Did you know, for example, that Georgio Chinaglia is allowed to sign with any MLS team and it won’t count against the cap? And I truly respect how MLS determines which teams play in international club competitions; the criteria are (1) merit and (2) whether or not you are the L.A. Galaxy.

So here’s my deal to you. I’ll become well-versed in all MLS details. I’ll watch every RSL match, on TV or the Web. I’ll start discussions, provide my opinions and stimulate yours.

In return, you give me $300.

It’s really a fair deal.

RSL LOSES EXHIBITION TO LYNN UNIVERSITY

Central defender Nat Borchers made his exhibition debut in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Lynn College in Lauderhill, Fla. He played the final 30 minutes of a match that was divided into three 30-minute periods. Argentine substitute Fabian Espindola scored for RSL; Yura Movsisyan assisted.

Here’s who played, according to the RSL Web site:
GK-Kyle Reynish (Chris Seitz 30′) (Nick Rimando 60′)
DF-Tony Beltran (Craig Ziadie 30′)
DF-Matias Mantilla (Dustin Kirby 45′)
DF-David Horst (Nat Borchers 60′)
DF-Ian Joy (Chris Wingert 30′) (Salim Bullen 60′)
MF-Andy Williams (Alex Nimo 45′)
MF-Kenny Cutler (Carey Talley 45′)
MF-Javier Morales (Nathan Sturgis 45′)
MF-Matias Cordoba (Kevin Reiman 45′)
FW-Indra Sahdan Daud (Tino Nunez 30′) (Yura Movsisyan 60′)
FW-Robbie Findley (Kyle Brown 30′) (Fabian Espíndola 60′)

It’s RSL’s first exhibition loss, for whatever that’s worth.

For the full match report, info courtesy RSL, click here.

The Deseret News blog by James Edward also addresses the game. James spoke to GM Garth Lagerway, who told him no deals are in the works.

And, and always, discuss.

UPCOMING RSL SCHEDULE

Friday: Exhibition v. Colorado Rapids, Central Broward Regional Park – 7:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. MT.

Feb. 24-25: Off days

Feb. 26-28: Training in Utah (sites/times TBD)

Feb. 29-March 12: Trip to Rosario, Argentina

YOUR FINAL HUMBLE REMINDER

Blogs are worthless without participation from you. This isn’t for me. Well, it is for me, just a little. With a blog, and I can say things like, “Chivas USA will represent the West in the MLS Cup.” And when it happens, I can call my mom and say, “Look what I wrote way back in February! And I was right!” Then she’ll say, “What the hell is a Chivas USA? Go away so I can watch Wheel of Fortune.” So maybe the blog is for you after all.

Comment, comment, comment. I welcome it. Well, most of it. No picking on physical appearances. Don’t tell anyone they know nothing; their point might crap, but they know something. That’s why they’re watching soccer, not golf. Don’t start a flame war for the sake of pissing people off. Then nobody will enjoy the blog, and it will be about me. And when my mom ignores me, then what kind of satisfaction will I get?

So … What’s a realistic goal for RSL? What’s an optimistic one? Which offseason moves do you like (or not)? Floor’s open.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

I leave you with today’s randomly selected ’80s video …