How many times will RSL not even attempt to control the midfield during a match?  My dad who does not even understand soccer saw that RSL was just trying to play long balls out of the back and that it wasn't working.  Right now the team is only missing a tactical cohesion, the rest I think is actually in good shape.  I think there is plenty of talent on the team, I think the fitness level is where it should be.  I do think that there are enough players who don't really care and that bothers me.  Dema Kovalenko and Kyle Beckerman bleed for the team, others just go missing for long periods of time.  Morales, Talley, and Findley especially fit this description. 

I know a lot of people will probably complain about the referee.  Frankly, the first PK I thought was just an incidental hand ball by Kovalenko and should have just been played, no call.  He didn't make a move to redirect the ball in any way, he was sliding and it hit him.  As for the second PK, while I thought it was a bit soft, it was still a good call.  Any time you slide, especially in the box, from behind a player, and block him from shooting, without really playing the ball, you will get called.  It was one of those calls that even the ref probably knew was soft, but it was so clearly in the box and was certainly not something for an indirect kick, he had no choice but to award the PK. 

Gallardo's goal will probably be Goal of the Year.  That was a great volley from even better service from Burch.  The other goal by Quaranta was a completely blow mark by Morales.  The RSL corner that Talley put away was nothing spectacular, Namoff lost position to Talley and got burned.

I thought Wingert played a good game in general, he really needs to be worked into the attack more.  His service is great.  What good does it do to have Kenny Deuchar if he never gets service into the box?  Deuchar looked absent, but that was because we couldn't get the ball through the midfield, to the wings and into him.  The times RSL has played that style, they have produced results.  When they move away from that, start playing the long balls from the back line, they get burned and look really bad.  This is all on the midfield.  Right now, our tactics really need to improve and that is all on the coaching staff. 

In other news, I will be on vacation for the next two home games.  I am not sure if I'm happy I'll be missing the traveling circus that is the L.A. Galaxy or not.  I watched them play Toronto and all I can say is that it's the first time I have ever seen someone score two goals like Landycakes did and still look like they played a shitty game.  I don't think I'll miss all the people who come out to watch Goldenballs, especially the ones who have no clue what soccer is but want to see Mr. Posh. 

I am excited for my vacation.  My wife finally succeeded in convincing me to go on a cruise, so we leave out of Miami next weekend.  We'll be going to Cozumel (I'll be diving there of course), Grand Cayman (diving again), and then Ocho Rios, Jamaica (river tubing and some waterfall thing everyone keeps talking about).  Wife will be shopping when I'm diving as she's not allowed while she's pregnant.  I am looking forward to Miami as well.  I already have my dinner reservations at Gordon Beirsch.  I have only been to the one in Tempe, Arizona, but I loved it.  Their Czech Pilsner is pretty good (although I do have to say I prefer the Pilsner at the Bohemian in Midvale).  You can never complain about a place that brews lagers (much better than ales in my opinion)  according to the German Reinheitsgebot (purity law) that only allows four ingredients for beer, malted barley, hops, water and yeast. 

        

 

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