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RSL thread

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SICK GAME.


RSL wins the aggregate 3-2. First team from the US in the CONCACAF CL Cup Final.
I love Olave's reaction to the crowd when he scored his goal (about a minute in. Scoring this goal meant that Saprissa had to score two more goals just to push it to overtime, effectively winning the game for RSL.):

https://www.concacafchampions.com/page/CL/Video/HighlightsDetail2/0,,12856~2331972,00.html

The crowd in Costa Rica last night was unbelievable. You can hear them in the highlights. Twice as nuts as we Jazz fans in the ESA.

OléOléOléOlé
 
Nice loss/win for Real.
One more home and away aggregate win would be nice to get us into the "real deal".

by the way, your Ole's hurt my eyes.
 
Not that well written, but it'll do:

By Brian Dunseth
CONCACAF.com Analyst

Hostile environment : Check.

Rabid fans: Check.

Artificial surface: Check.

And then we have the 2-0 aggregate lead that Jason Kreis and Co. held in their back pocket heading into Tuesday night's second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals against Saprissa at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa.

Real Salt Lake adjusted its approach and mentality from the quarterfinals (where it started on the road at Crew Stadium against the Columbus Crew) to the semifinals (where it opened at home in Rio Tinto Stadium against Saprissa).

Additionally, it was able to harness the experience gained from matches in countries like Panama and Mexico, but also other Major League Soccer teams that have waved the MLS flag for the past couple of years in this tournament.

From dissecting the performances of teams like DC United, Houston and Columbus in the Champions League over the past couple of years, Real Salt Lake General Manager Garth Lagerway and Kreis were able to plant the seeds of a long-term plan is starting to fully bloom.

As I sat in the broadcast booth above Estadio Saprissa before kickoff, I found myself wondering out loud if this was the biggest game in Real Salt Lake's history -- and most around me said "yes". Everything it had gained and lost over the past three years would be scrutinized -- Kreis included.

From matching the intensity of the home side in the first 15 minutes, and taking some of the steam out of the notorious Monster's Cave crowd, to being prepared for a surge by a team desperate to get the aggregate result on home turf, Real Salt Lake was tested.

And what a defensive performance it was. Saprissa threw absolutely everything it could at RSL's back line from the opening kickoff.

While the individual accolades were sure to come, I can tell you from my perspective (which was in person), this was a team defensive performance - a side that played like a unit rarely seen before.

Nothing went unchallenged.

With the game goalless (and Real Salt Lake holding the 2-0 aggregate lead), the MLS side's confidence and composure was tested just seconds into the second half as the Estadio Saprissa crowd sprang back to life with an incredible goal.

You could feel the tide turn very quickly in that stadium, and it was RSL's response that was most impressive.

After RSL repelled wave after wave of attacks, Saprissa coach Juan Manuel Alvarez made the first offensive tactical adjustment, sending more players forward that ultimately gave Real Salt Lake the space and possession it so desperately needed.

It was hulking Colombian centerback Jamison Olave who would ultimately give Real Salt Lake the road goal iot so desperately wanted (and needed). Even with the insertions of forward Allan Aleman and Alejandro Sequira, Saprissa now was forced with scoring four goals on the night to overcome RSL's away tally and win outright.

While a dubious penalty would fall in favor of the home side in the dying moments, (and give Saprissa a 2-1 win that evening), it didn't matter. Major League Soccer saw its first team advance to the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League 3-2 on aggregate.

And following Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez's final whistle, the team was on the receiving end on one of the classiest displays I've seen in person.

As Real Salt Lake left the field in one of the most difficult, harassing and notorious venues in our region, the players were given a standing ovation from the 20,000-plus supporters of Saprissa.
Click to expand...

https://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2333620,00.html
 
CONAN said:
2nd 11 destroyed that other team (Revolution?).
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Worked 'em. Really impressive that our entire "bench" was able to dominate another team on the road.

Tomorrow RSL plays those butt-huggers from Denver, fresh off a 3-0 whooping at that hands of FC Dallas. Going to be a rough game...
 
I really wish I could get into soccer because it seems as if Real is in the middle of building something really special that will probably translate into a few more championships. As hard as I try, I find myself to be the sterotypical American sports fan who has little use for soccer.

I should take the family down to Rio Tinto this season and see a game live. Perhaps that will change my perception of the sport. However, one thing I know I'll never like is the aggregate score system that they have in places for the playoffs and tournaments. It just seems strange to me that a loss can still equal a win (as evidenced by Real's recent win/loss over Saprissa).
 
So does that mean both Utah pro teams will be playing CO pro teams on the same night, hope they send 'm packin' with their tails between their legs back to the wrong side of the mountain.
 
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jazzman12 said:
I really wish I could get into soccer because it seems as if Real is in the middle of building something really special that will probably translate into a few more championships. As hard as I try, I find myself to be the sterotypical American sports fan who has little use for soccer.

I should take the family down to Rio Tinto this season and see a game live. Perhaps that will change my perception of the sport. However, one thing I know I'll never like is the aggregate score system that they have in places for the playoffs and tournaments. It just seems strange to me that a loss can still equal a win (as evidenced by Real's recent win/loss over Saprissa).
Click to expand...

I agree with the second paragraph. Watching on tv is nothing compared to watching live. The atmosphere at a live match is unequaled. I couldn't do the soccer thing until my mission to a soccer dominated country. Even now, I'm only a little more than a passive fan. I go to maybe one game a year, watch some on tv, and keep current in the standings, but I certainly don't follow it like I do football.
I also dislike the aggregate scoring in the playoffs.
 
//r00t 4 Jazz said:
So does that mean both Utah pro teams will be playing CO pro teams on the same night, hope they send 'm packin' with their tails between their legs back to the wrong side of the mountain.
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I ****ing hate Colorado. The Crapids can ess my dee. Tonight, we keep the Rocky Mountain Cup for good, boys.
 
UB said:
I ****ing hate Colorado. The Crapids can ess my dee. Tonight, we keep the Rocky Mountain Cup for good, boys.
Click to expand...

Huge game tonight. I hate them too. I sure do miss douching them out of the playoffs with last second goals.
 
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Jeff said:
Espindola scores the game-winner in stoppage time... Suck it down Colorado.
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Yeah, a nice offsides game winner off a weak foul. Oh well, so it goes, it's hard to stay too upset with the trophy in Denver for the time being.
 
Nate505 said:
Yeah, a nice offsides game winner off a weak foul. Oh well, so it goes, it's hard to stay too upset with the trophy in Denver for the time being.
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The "for the time being" part of that was spot on.
I made it home in time for most of the second half. That goal was freakin' awesome.
 
It may have been awesome but it was offsides. Hey, God knows I'd accept it if it happened the other way but it shouldn't have been allowed.
 
Nate505 said:
It may have been awesome but it was offsides. Hey, God knows I'd accept it if it happened the other way but it shouldn't have been allowed.
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Won't disagree with you. RSL took advantage of a break they earned.


We went nuts when the goal happened. I was yelling so hard at Pickens all night, and he gave up the goal. It was brilliant.
 
Tonight at 8pm MST on Fox Soccer Channel:

Some team called Reel Salt Lake is playing football against a bunch of mehicanos
 
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