It's one of the things about watching soccer than bothers me the most: a few very critical calls made by one man. It's too easy to get unfair results when one goal (or one call) on one play often makes the difference in the whole game. I don't know if we can blame the refs, because I think they do the best they can. But they either need several on the field, or to allow instant replay, or something.

Or maybe I'll just go watch some more tennis.

Probably the worst officiating I've seen in a long time, certainly at a professional game. The official never asserted himself, with Houston tripping or tackling from behind almost every time RSL got a run on toward goal. Six different Houston players got yellow cards, nearly every one for interrupting a run on goal (and those were just the ones the official called), and yet Houston kept it up. In short, he was complicit in allowing Houston to nail an RSL player every time they got beat, with a mere "caution" and slap on the wrist when he did anything at all.

He announced that there would be 4 minutes of stoppage time, then 2:26 seconds later abruptly ended the game. His red card against Wingert didn't appear to be justified from where I sat.

Lest you think I'm just whining, if you Tivo'd it, take a good look at the officiating and tell me what you think.

BTW--the fireworks were fantastic!!

the mls refs are horrible, do they even know what the hell they are doing out there. they are worse than then they world cup 06 refs. wow just get something right.

Ridiculous pretty much sums it up. That sound you hear this morning is real (not ReAl) Utah sports fans collectively yawning.

not good, not bad. I was predicting a loss.

Wow, what an exciting sport!!! The only thing I've found more exciting is watching grass grow or the thrill of waiting for paint to dry.

This is what is wrong with soccer. No game should ever end in a draw.

MLS will never be taken seriously until they can get referees that are at least competent - the last 15 minutes of the game was brutal.

Well I gave it a try... I attempted to watch this game. It didn't last long. It was just to boring.

I watched the end of So You Think You Can Dance instead.

Yep, it was just that boring!

Sock her is a dumb sport because it ends in ties, what is up with that?

Officiating aside, that was one of the most entertaining scoreless draws I've ever seen. The haters can say all they want, but that was some hard-played soccer out there and it kept everyone in the stadium on the edge of their seat for most of the game. That is one thing I love about soccer over other sports. I love the Jazz too, but if you're ever on the edge of your seat, it's in the last couple of minutes of a close game.

My favorite no-call of the game was on one of the corner kicks. The Dr. got his head on the ball; but Bobby Boswell had him in a headlock from behind and pulled him down on his back as the ball was approaching. What do you have to do to get a penalty around here?

I'd also suggest RSL spend a few days in practice this week finishing close-range opportunities. They create plenty of chances, but choke it up on the last touch.

Comment to nottyou. When you get rid of your handball games, which you think are exiting and try something more difficult like true football then you have something to talk about. That is why your American sports will never be the world game. Roscoe, your mentality of not liking a draw in a league game does not realize that there is a set time to win or lose. If you cannot do it then why go to overtime for another 30 minutes? 60? 100? Playoffs are set to create winners. League games fairly provide draws. The rest of the world is not stupid and knows what it is doing. Come out of your isolationism.

I haven't seen mention of the poor sportsmanship of Houston when, with one of their players down, RSL kicks the ball out so he could be attended to. However upon restart, Dynamo players throw in and begin attacking rather than the customary giving the ball back. Well played, Houston, well played. Hope the others teams of MLS catch sight of this and "play on" if one of your wretched lot is down.

MLS is a joke of a league, and will continue to be so, until the issues regarding lack of refereeing skills are addressed in something other than a week-later, "Yes, the referees made a mistake. Sorry 'bout that," acknowledgment. (see the San Jose non-offside goal being called back to be later admitted as being an incorrect call - goodbye two points) I can live with a missed call - it happens, they're human - but the apparent (obvious) inequality of the calls is appalling.

MLS - step up.

And I agree that RSL needs to finish - not asking for all to go in - but one - once in a while - go in. I'm a fan of Dr Goals, but physician, heal thyself. RSL needs scoring.

Dear Ridiculous, Roscoe & Utefan (and the rest of the clones),

We're not going to apologize for your ignorance.

Signed,

Soccer Fans

They still play that game? 0-0 tie? What a waste of time.

Peter,

Your logic is truly dizzying, but also pointless just like these draws. You bash Americans for preferring a conclusive outcome to a competitive contest we, as spectators, invest time and money in (if we pay admission). American sports have simply evolved to the point that fans prefer & expect a winner and a loser at the end of the game. Otherwise, why play at all?

Great game. Very entertaining. Poor officiating. Fireworks at the end rocked!
To the haters: you go ahead and watch so you think you can dance. The fact that you openly admit you watched that instead of professional soccer on ESPN should tell you a little something about yourselves. And Ute Fan, there was whole bunch of your compadres at the game, as well as Cougar fans galore. Sounds like you're the one the outside looking in dude.
Anyone who is hating on RSL, probably has never left the state. Actually, they've probably never left SLC.
Hold on....lets wait for the crying on tax dollars.....here it comes....

Dear oussan,

I'm not going to appreciate or support your silly sport that apparently you are now the official spokesperson for.

Signed,

Just Me

I dislike about soccer is the players and fans! How stupid can they get?

I must admit that I sat through the entire match with the hopes of being entertained. I really have tried to give soccer a fair shake, however I don't have it in me to defend it any longer. The purists will argue that they found the match to be exciting. BULL!!! High Schoolers finish better then RSL. I couted seven times, in the box, that RSL had legitimate scoring opportunities, but failed to capitalize on their last touch. Talk about chokers. I'd hate to have any of them on the foul line in a basketball game needing to hit a free throw for the tie/lead. 0-0 give me a break! The game ends in the 93 minute and RSL freaks out chasing the officials off the field. I mean what makes them think that they can score if the officals grant them 2 additional minutes of play, if I remember it ended 0-0. Oh, I loved it when RSL walked around the stadium, after the game, giving the old 'soccer appreciation clap' to the fans showing their appreciation for sitting through their lackluster effort they call sport. I'll take marbles, hopscotch or jacks over soccer anytime. SOCCER IS BROKEN!

A very exciting game, despite the ref. RSL played hard, as well as Houston. And speaking of the ref, what was really ridiculous was he called the game 2 mins. early and seemed to be running away from the players while he did it, because he knew it was too early. Then he started backing away like a scared pup when they all approached to protest the call.

So wait the big complaint is that the match ended in a tie, so two evenly matched teams should be forced to battle until there is a winner? Come on grow up already, soccer isn't just about the match it is about the season and 1 point on the road is a minor victory.

Remember before the big hockey strike a few years ago when they had ties, and non fans complained that the reason they don' watch hockey is ties. Well the NHL re-wrote their rule book to cater to the "so called" fans, guess what the non fans still don't go or watch hockey.

Soccer rules have been set for decades and I have never seen this level of complaining about draws from Spanish, English, or German fans. Nope this is the short term, care only about what they want American culture.

I love this country but the best part is if you don't appreciate soccer you can go watch minor league baseball. Soccer is a physical battle between 11 playes on each team, the average player runs a 5K or better during a match. Scoring is nice, and every loves a winner, but grow up already.

So the score was the same as when it started? Did they really need to run around for 90 minutes to decide that? A few weeks ago several comments tried to bash baseball as our national pasttime and suggest that soccer is a better and upcoming sport. Sure, baseball has it's drawbacks as does any other sport (yes, even precious world fussball). However, a baseball game can be an exciting defensive struggle but you know one team's going to eventually win it (not counting the pathetic "all-star tie"). In fact, if a team is down 10 runs going into the last inning, they still have a chance to win which is exciting compaired to other sports where an unsurmountable lead can make the final several minutes moot. Yeah, the game last night kept the people in the stands until the very end, it just left a very sour taste worth a 0-0 tie.

RE: Brad Jensen

Soccer is like a box of chocalates, you never no what you are going to get. Any given day, anything can happen, any team get upset any team on any given day. That is what the sport is like and sorry to tell you but soccer haters are in the worldwide minority. About 1/2 of the entire worlds population watched the last world cup final. No other event in history has garned that much worldwide attention, even the lunar landing. So soccer is not 'broken'!
You have the typical 'American' mentality of wanting to change the rules of sports to fit you needs. This type of thinking is why the NHL now has shootouts and not ties now, which if you ask me is an abomination! As for scoring, go watch the NBA, at least you are guaranteed at least 100 points being scored by both teams combined in any given game. To me that repition of scoring is boring. Why dont you go rag on golf, tennis, Arena Football, or cricket if you want boring?

Brad,
You are what you eat; Twinkie. Lets see you run up and down the field for 90 minutes as hard as they did in 101 degrees and call that a lackluster effort. You truely are a great example of an ugly american. You're right and the rest of the world is wrong. And if they don't believe you, just ask and you'll set they right. You know everything.

You know a poor coach when you hear him blame officials for his team's loss.

The team is a farce. Not one of them is professional quality. If they were, they wouldn't be playing here; they would play in Europe or South America (where most of them they come from). They are here because they aren't good enough to qualify to play as professionals there.

RSL management is cheap. Despite all the hype, the team started without the money necessary to field a decent team.

The result? Own goals, scoreless ties, and games that end in brawls and complaints about the refs.

This is not soccer, and too many people are only fooling themselves to think otherwise.

see this is what is wrong with soccer. There is no official clock. Why can't they just keep official time on the scoreboard like basketball and football. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN A SOCCER GAME WILL END. Then it ends in a tie/draw. WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT. 90 minutes to accomplish nothing.

Next time RSL thinks about marching around Rice Eccles Stadium with that 'silly' fan appreciation crap/clap they should reconsider by pulling their jerseys over their heads by making there way to the locker room just as fast as their little underachieving backsides can take them.

Why was it that all of a sudden when the game officals decided to end the match that all of a sudden RSL looked interested in being there?

Checketts you'll never rival Miller's intellect/ability for intertainment. -Never!

Wow, I feel like I've stumbled into a Napolean Dynamite blog site:

Don't be jealous because I've been online chatting with hot soccer moms all day.

Oh yeah? Your mom likes Soccer!

Too funny.

I got to the game at halftime and as I was entering the stadium I noticed Kovalenko leaving. Does anyone know what that was all about?

Awesome defense RSL. They are tough to beat this year. What is it 5 or 6 games and the only goal allowed is Beltran's own goal. We definitely dominated the game against a good Houston team (look at the stats) Obviously we need some better finishers. I'm pretty sure Williams will never score another goal, ever. I'm not even sure if he will ever put a shot on goal. May want to find someone else. Beckerman is like a defensive mid on offense. Touch isn't good enough, and finishing isn't consistent enough to be a wing midfielder. Duechars seems to hit the posts or goalie every game. I keep thinking he will eventually have a run of goals. He looks great, but the ball will not go in.

I have been a season ticket holder from the beginning but I'm fed up and am not re-upping. Reasons:

Finishing: RSL has never had a single finisher on the club. Each and every one of them has had a horrible first touch and allows the defender to catch up. The only one close to decent is Espindola and he's injured. How many times do you have to see RSL kick/head it over the crossbar before you say enough and get somebody in who can put in the net?

Morales: Why must he play alone? He is the only player who gets me out of my seat when he has the ball facing the goal. The other teams have figured this out and simply foul him before he can do any damage. Nobody else is a even remotely a threat. Did you see Deuchar try and use his feet? What a joke.

Kenny Cutler: While he probably played his best game and didn't totally screw up, anytime you have somebody with his marginal ability playing a full 90 in an important spot you aren't going to win the game.

Come on RSL get some help for Morales and Espindola!

Beltran/Olave/Borchers/Wingert

Beckerman
(new guy) (new guy)

Morales

Duechars Espindola

The new guys need to be scorers on par with Morales and Espindola. Also, they need to know how to pressure and defend. Not easy to find, but if RSL wants to be a title contender it is what they are going to need to do. Duechars and Morales will start lighting up the goals as soon as RSL has someone else for the defense to worry about.

If needed Espindola could play one of the wings with Findley up top, but that is just a band aid approach. Findley is not yet a potential 15 goal guy. He is still a late game sub.

Thanks Dave, for bringing us these exciting games, which end up 0-0.

Watching basketball or football, people wait for a commercial so they don't miss part of the game.

In soccer, you can go on a two week vacation, and return, and still not missed part of the game.

re:Juicebox guy:

1/2 of the world does not have football and basketball, air conditioning, refridgerators, cars, television, toilets, etc. either. So they are right, and Ameria is wrong for not enjoying a game where guys in shorts run around for hours and can't score.

Oh, and I'd rag on "golf, tennis, Arena Football, or cricket" if 1):they were boring and 2: they were building a huge, ugly stadium in Sandy with State taxpayers money.

Finally, andy "sport" where the official drink of choice is a juicebox is pretty lame, don't you think?

They finished the game with fireworks. Why? To wake everyone up.

It's easier than going down the rows tapping "fans" on the shoulders telling them it's time to go to their cars.

Thanks shortsighted Taxpayers!!!

Obviously you do not understand the game of soccer, the skill, stamina, and the creativity needed to play. I challenge you to go out and play 90 minutes of non stop soccer, soccer is a sport were you are not told what to do, a sport were u are not given a play or a route to run. How difficult is it to do what u are told...i like all sports but you are being arrogant and really simple minded to sit there and base your opinion on soccer after 1 MLS soccer game, no doubt everyone knows we are not even a top ten soccer country. Its like say hey how about u go watch the lithuanian basketball league and enjoy it, or the xfl again!!!! Just open up your little closed brain to other things besides pickup trucks and hunting!!! Happy 4th of July!!!

Scoreless games make you appreciate the art of scoring - there's nothing like the rain after a drought!

In all 'American' sports scoring is taken for granted - that's complacency.

The fireworks might have been in celebration of the 4th, did you ever think of that? Just a stupid answer for your stupid question. I thought it was a great game last night. Very physical and what you would expect out of two teams playing for the top spot. I left dissappointed that we couldn't pull out that win and that the refs were terrible but I felt like I got my moneys worth. It was a great game! I do however have trouble understanding those that performed before the fireworks, by far the worst performance I have ever seen!! Minus the people singing it would have been a perfect night!

What kind of lame sport ends scoreless.

Those that voted to support this sport (and I use that term loosely) with our tax money should be tarred and feathered in the town square... then kicked out of the state!

RE: Roger:

A great game last night? You must have been sleeping. And it was not what one would expect out of two teams playing for the top spot. Not in professional sports, that is. Perhaps 10 year-old Saturday morning play. But those games are free.

You say you left dissappointed that the boys on the field couldn't pull out that win, but nevertheless you felt like you got your money's worth. Yours must have been one of those thousands of free tickets RSL management hands out to make the stands look full of paying customers.

You go on to say, "I do however have trouble understanding those that performed before the fireworks, by far the worst performance I have ever seen!!" So you weren't asleep after all. Those guys in the red, blue and gold jerseys who performed before the fireworks woke everyone up were the RSL players.

A "perfect night"? Try coming out of your basement more often. Summer nights are very good here in Utah, and they were much better before David Checketts brought his third-rate foreign players to the state and convinced you and a few others that they represent the best of real soccer.

Wake me up when REAL FOOTBALL STARTS, YOU KNOW the one in the Fall where they have OVER-Time and the game isn't boring! A Zero-Zero tie? Are you kidding me? We here in Salt Lake are supposed to get excited about this MAJOR League Sport? A-Snoozers!!! What an exciting match this was! I bet the goal keeper wore his cute yellow special shirt too right? Give me a break.....

Learn The Game, You might find you will like it!

Well, I'm a little calmer now than I was last night when I got back from the game, and yes, it really was a well-fought game, barring the repeated over-the-bar antics of our shooters.

I just have to comment on the interlude entertainment between the match and the fireworks. The sound system was absolutely abominable, not just for the singers, but the announcer as well--we couldn't understand but one word out of five that he said. The female vocalist was Jenny Jordan Frogley. She is incredibly good, but last night it was wasted because we couldn't hear OR understand. No idea who the guy was. And the dance routine was lame. I think the entertainment must have been an afterthought--not really needed and no one was in the mood anyway. We were like, "Bring on the fireworks!!!"

Anyway, RSL is steadily improving. If we can put a "ball magnet" at the back of the net, maybe we can get some goals. I think by next season we will have an awesome team. G0 REAL!

Soccer was fun to play way back in high school PE.
It's a bore to watch. Great if you're trying to catch a little nap, though.

If you have nothing better to do than make fun of soccer than keep doing it. I love the sport and it's my life. I've played for a long time and I know a lot of people who fell the same as me. So it's your loss.

...Only if its in our new Stadium...that we will sell out every match.

THanks for all of the posts. SHows that RSL and MLS are the real deal.

Somebody's starting to feel threatened. :)

Nobody cares if you dislike soccer. I wish all of you soccer haters would just get friends so you don't have to sit at your computer and whine about how you don't understand how people can like things. Get over it. Here is a list of other things to whine about.

Gas prices
Wal-Mart
George Bush
The weather
The economy
Brittney Spears
How you don't have a girlfriend/boyfriend or why your spouse hates you
How you still live in your parents basement
How your dream of being a pro football player died when you got hurt in High School

That should keep you busy

Nice comments.
STill tied for second place. not too bad. not great, but not too bad.

I was at the game and enjoyed the whole thing. At times I was excited, frustrated, sitting on pins and needles and at other times just plain mad. That is the beauty of the game, the emotions it brings out. I am a big Jazz and Ute fan, but unless the game is tied going into the final minutes those emotions just don't exist. That is why a low scoring game like soccer is s ejoyable. Because goals are so hard to come by, the emotions build from the minute the first ball is kicked and unless you get down by three goals you know anything can still happen in the final minutes. Don't believe me, go read about Turkey's run in europe over the last few weeks. At least this is how I used to feel. I just got done reading the comments of all these really inteligent people about how wrong I am for enjoying this type of competition. I appologize enjoying something that makes me happy. I will stop at once. Thank you for your great advice. Now if I could just find someone to tell me what movies I should like and what food tastes best.