From Deseret News archives:
Real Salt Lake: Team veterans preaching 'opportunity'
Veterans like Clint Mathis and Dema Kovalenko talked about how they've made a lot of playoff appearances in their career, but rarely have their teams advanced to the championship game.
"I've been in this league 10 years and only been in the finals twice," said Kovalenko. "I just hope we understand it doesn't come that often and we need to take advantage."
General manager Garth Lagerwey even reminisced how during his rookie year he proudly led his Kansas City team into the conference final, only to lose and never make the playoffs again in his career.
Even coach Jason Kreis recounted how, during his playing days, his teams advanced to two conference finals and zero MLS Cups.
Clearly RSL has been presented with a fantastic opportunity with a home game tonight something no one could have seen coming four weeks ago.
As for the prospects for playing for the MLS Cup next weekend in its first playoff appearance, RSL defender Chris Wingert doesn't even want to speculate. In fact, he was annoyed with what little speculation there was by RSL's coaching staff during the luncheon.
"We've got one game right now, it's a conference final against a really tough New York team. We can't be thinking about winning the championship right now," said Wingert. "All our focus needs to be on New York, and they're thinking the same thing. They're thinking 'We've got Salt Lake to get to the final' this is a dream scenario for them."
Realistically, it's a dream scenario for both teams to be on the MLS Cup doorstep after average regular seasons.
Despite playing in different conferences and only seeing each other twice a year, there's definitely some familiarity between the teams. The Red Bulls were RSL's opponent for the opening game at Rio Tinto Stadium last month, and they somewhat spoiled the grand opening with a 1-1 draw.
RSL definitely isn't bitter toward New York, though. In fact, at the media luncheon, team president Bill Manning thanked New York for beating Houston in the other Western Conference first-round series. It ensured that Real Salt Lake would host the one-game conference final.
Recent comments
Soccer is the bomb diggity, and deep down inside I know it.
Rio Tiento | Nov. 16, 2008 at 8:43 a.m.
This game is going to be great. I see RSL winning 2-0. I think it...
Great game | Nov. 15, 2008 at 5:17 p.m.
Why would you let your eight year old play "kickyball"? Chances are...
Hey Rio tiento | Nov. 15, 2008 at 1:27 p.m.
- Analyst: Small auto sales to recover 11:33 a.m.
- Y.'s Hall, U.'s Dale earn accolades 11:28 a.m.
- Notre Dame not an option for Meyer 11:28 a.m.
- Marijuana grow found in Ogden apt. 11:23 a.m.
- Inmate dead following prison fight 11:22 a.m.
- BSU RB Martin top WAC player 11:17 a.m.
- Benefits lost over Facebook photo 11:14 a.m.
- Obama to honor young inventors 11:11 a.m.
- Home sales data, dollar carry stocks 11:08 a.m.
- Embarrassed Wigan offers refunds 11:06 a.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
211 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
202 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
173 - BYU records with win
130 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
129 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
102 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
I could tell BYU was ready to play Saturday afternoon even before the...
I thought the Utes played very well against SDSU on Saturday in all...
Parallel to the training of the body a struggle against the poisoning of the...
We shouldn't talk about religion, so everyone quit posting their comments...
This on the heals of the global warming scam that was uncovered. Can we...
@ 1st Pagan: Gay marriage represents a conflictual paradigm shift to...
At half time Beckerman had 3.5 miles, I don"t know how many he had for the...
You Ute fans are hilarious. Don't you guys realize the Utes actually had a...
QB: BYU wins. It is good to support and believe in ones QB, but right now...
Better recheck those BCS rankings, Skippy.
I am now as before a Catholic and will always remain so. - Adolf Hitler,...
'Recently many gay groups have supported actions against the Mormon Church.'...
