I should be used to blowing a lead in extra time after as mant times as RSL has done it.  There is little excuse why anyone, other than Colorado, should be able to run with us at altitude into the 90th minute.  Mental letdowns like the one that happened yesterday are very much a function of conditioning and fitness and if that does not improve, RSL is set to have another dismal year.

First to start off the tailgate was awesome.  RCB and the FCB/Loyalists/AYL all had a good thing going.  I had a lot of fun drifting between the two main groups.  The burritos were expecially good, so I would like to recognize Chipolte's for thier contribution.  If Ian Joy is half as cool as his family, RSL is in for a great time with him on the team.  Thankfully St. Pauli was the class organization that they have always been and let him go. 

When I was in the army, after every training mission we would do an After Action Review, AAR.  For the Fire things that were good that can be taken from the match: the backline and midfield had some shape to them.  Nat Borchers is a worthy replacement for Eddie Pope.  Chicago really only had one good chance, and unfortunately for RSL, they put that one chance away.  I think we need to work more with the forward line as we didn't start the game with our best forwards (and understandably since both Findley and Deuchar just joined the team again).  RSL had some good chaces, Movsisyan's change borbably being the best in the first half.  Second half, Findley looked dangerous Dema had a great cross that lead to the own goal by Chicago.  Findley was right in position to convert the chance.  Findley's break was played perfectly by Busch otherwise that would have been a goal as well.  That is what went well.  How to improve, obviously the end of game letdowns.  At least they played 90 minutes of good football instead of last year's 75, but still, there cannot be letdowns in extra time.  Getting caught on a quick counter where the defenders are not getting back quick enough with a minute left just isn't a good way to lose 2 points.  Also to improve, we need to have the best forward line to start the game.  Deuchar and Espondola at first, with Findley on for Espindola at about 60 minutes would be my pick, but I would also like to see what happens with Deuchar and Movsisyan together. 

I will not speak of the pathetic referees because this is MLS and it can almost be expected that the refs are about on the level of a pub league and have no business working a professional match.  If Findley gets a yellow for simulation (which he did do), why doesn't Blanco?  Blanco, when he chooses to actually play and not try to make a living by falling down is truly one, if not the best players in MLS.  What ever happened to they type of player like George Best who, when tackled, would rarely fall down, but would keep the ball.  Just watch this video and see what I mean.  Best could have easily fallen down and probably would have earned a penalty, but he didn't, he kept playing and scored one of the most brilliant goals ever.

And to save all you who hate politics, I won't talk about the Arab League summit that a lot of key Arab states either outright boycotted or sent minor dignitaries to in protest of Syria's hardline stances on issues like Iran and Israel. 

        

 

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