This entry was posted on 6/24/2008 3:28 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
Well it was unfortunate to see the Czechs crash out of Euro 08. I was hoping to be able to see them play while I was over there, but it was not to be as they lost before I got there. My research trip I would generally call a success, even though I did not find 100% of what I was looking for. I am looking into Jan Masaryk and especially events leading up to his death in 1948 by apparent suicide. I am especially trying to pin down the proceedings of three meetings just prior to his death between him and the communist leader Klement Gottwald. The death of Masaryk has long been labeled a suicide, but I am hoping that the new sources now available at USU, Masaryk's personal papers, will shed some more light on what happened. So far, still digging. The only real bad part of the trip was that my camera was stolen at Gatwick Airport on the way home. The good news is that because I bought it with my credit card, they will get it replaced; the bad news: all my pictures from the trip are gone. At least they didn't get my laptop, that had all my research notes and stuff on it.
Anyway, enough of that, looks like I missed two very different matches. I have had a chance to watch the New England match on my Tivo, and all I can say is that it finally looked like RSL decided to show up and play to their potential. Dema was the only real dark spot on this match, he doesn't seem to be at 100% right now, whether it's a remainder of his illness of the last couple of weeks or something else, I don't know. Regardless, he has now taken the role of emotional leader of this team that Carey Talley had in 2006, but then decided he didn't want last year and while he played for RSL this year. Deuchar looked great especially, he was in the right places at the right times and RSL is finally starting to get him some quality service into the box. He's one of those sneaky type forwards who will always find a way into a danger position through the back door and it's nice to see RSL starting to figure that out. Nunez I also liked a lot. Beltran I will say, after a shaky first start is turning into a quality player. I still think that Joy is best on the left and Wingert on the right, but Beltran, given the playing time has adjusted to the professional speed rather well. Borchers, well the goal was all on him, but that will happen from time to time, even with the best in the world, so as long as it's a learning experience, I can live with that. Olave, what can you say about him? I am very impressed, in general, with RSL's additions since Kreis took over last season. This team on the pitch right now is a quality team that just needs to get some more playing time together and I think they have a shot at being legitimate contenders.
I haven't watched the San Jose match yet, but just from the box score, more than anything else, RSL needed to get shots of frame. To have over 20 shots and only 4 on goal, that's a major issue, thankfully it seems to have been addressed in time for the New England match where that was much improved. That is an area that RSL still needs a lot of work in, but it appears that progress is being made.
I truly think RSL has finally turned a corner. The past three years have been tough, but there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. The stadium is almost done, the grass starts going in today from what my friend at the sod farm is telling me. The seats are almost in. The stadium is beautiful. I can't wait to stand in the south end and see RSL finally in the playoffs. I think that this dream is getting a lot closer to reality. Now I only wait and hold my breath, RSL has been known to rip out the hearts of fans in the past, here's to believing that those days are past now.
