Deseret News | Real Salt Lake: Beckham makes RSL bend

Reader comments
Real Salt Lake: Beckham makes RSL bend

Bob | 3:13 a.m. May 4, 2008

Someone help me out. I am an ignoramus and don't know the difference between an indirect an a direct kick. What should have happened and why didn't it?

ccb1212 | 7:57 a.m. May 4, 2008

With an indirect kick, the player taking the free kick can only play it to one of his team mates. He is not supposed to take a shot on goal.

They won it ... | 8:13 a.m. May 4, 2008

or would have if that linesman had gotten the call right. Very fun game to watch. Nice work RSL.

Comments continue below

A fan | 8:46 a.m. May 4, 2008

Two goals for an over the hill Beckham proves that this league would be a third or fourth tier league in Europe. Calling it "Major League" is false advertising.

Beautiful | 9:08 a.m. May 4, 2008

For those of you that think soccer won't make it in Utah, that hope it fails. Sorry it is alive and well and I'm getting season tickets.

Horrace | 9:50 a.m. May 4, 2008

I don't feel as bad about the tie on this one, those were just 2 incredible goals by beckham that would have beat anybody. "Special play(s) by a special player," Unlike Blanco and the one he poached in stoppage time. RSL looked good, other than those goals, I thought they should have won the game, Deuchar was onside on the replay on the one they took away. Blame the linesman on this one.

Fans | 9:57 a.m. May 4, 2008

"Two goals for an over the hill Beckham proves that this league would be a third or fourth tier league in Europe. Calling it "Major League" is false advertising."

Like calling yourself a fan?

Seriously, Eurosnobs, we all know it's not the EPL. Go away.

RE: A fan | 10:19 a.m. May 4, 2008

Your not in Europe it is Major League here. Beckhams passing alone will extent his career longer than most players. 25,000 fans think otherwise and there will be more to come. So go to Europe and enjoy your first tier soccer we do't care.

Shame on the ref... | 10:22 a.m. May 4, 2008

The offsides call against Dr Goals was shameful, and all four refs in the game should be fired from the league for making such a horrible call, it wasn't even close. I have watched the replays numerous times at every angle available to me and Kenny is a full body length onsides and the real shameful thing is that the sideline official had a clear view of it. Were they just upset the Beckerman totally school Beckham to get the pass off. This was one of the worst blown calls I have seen in MLS since I have been watching. What a joke!

A fan | 10:32 a.m. May 4, 2008

All I'm saying is that the AAA baseball team is closer to the top level of its sport than the MLS is in theirs. At least its closer to the top level than the Blaze are to the NFL. It too close to call if it compares favorably to the Grizzlies comparison to the NHL. Come up with a different name for the league so that the soccer neophytes don't get fooled into thinking this is a high level of play.

Hey | 11:03 a.m. May 4, 2008

Its soccer! Who Cares! The only time fans will come out is for Beckham? That wont last.

Anonymous | 12:01 p.m. May 4, 2008

Hahahaha, response to "A fan".... This guy had a the same argument before. The MLS has only been here for about 13 years or so. How long has MLB, NBA, NFL been around? Exactly... the EPL has been around for over a century. The MLS is rapidly expanding. A new 500 million dollar stadium is going up in Philly. As we get more investors, we are going to overtake Europe in the coming years. Also, as far as the EPL goes, yes, they are amazing. However, RSL beat number 5 Everton last year 2-0.

BTW | 2:34 p.m. May 4, 2008

Is Beckham in his prime? No, but to call him 'over the hill' just shows one's ignorance of the sport and what good game play really is. So to 'a fan' - do us all a favor and move to Europe.

Geoff | 2:44 p.m. May 4, 2008

Why would ANYONE be an RSL fan??? They are the Clippers of the MLS.

I got a $10 ticket from a scalper right before the match, sat on the west side towards the top at the 30 yard line and had an AWESOME angle to see the worlds greatest soccer striker hit two INCREDIBLE goals.

Sergio | 3:48 p.m. May 4, 2008

There isn't a league in the world David Beckham couldn't still play in at 33. not one.

RSL Fan | 3:55 p.m. May 4, 2008

To clarify a few things. Beckham is not over the hill. He was injured for a bit last year but realize that he is again on the England National Team, he led Real Madrid to the Spanish League Title last year and is killing the competition in MLS. I dont think those credentials make you "over the hill".

Also, comparing RSL to the Clippers is just wrong. The Clippers have been around for like ever and never have won. Having 3 losing seasons doesnt make you the Clippers. With the bad luck we have had lately I would settle to being compared to the Cleveland Indians or Chicago Cubs for now. Lets not forget if the season ended today RSL would be in the playoffs in the 4th position.

To Geoff: You wont be able to get $10 tickets from a scalper when the new stadium opens. So enjoy being a fair-weather fan while you can. Also, I dont want to see you jump on the bandwagon once RSL starts winning.

George | 3:58 p.m. May 4, 2008

great game, RSL is a good young team. They deserved the win since the third goal should have counted.
Great to see a big crowd. I'm definitely buying season tix when the new stadium opens

sergio | 7:09 p.m. May 4, 2008

David beckham still plays international football for England, Real Madrid was disapointed to see him leave, you cant honestly think that he couldn't still be playing in any league in the world if he had the desire to. Anyone at that game would agree with me..

A. Nassiah | 7:14 p.m. May 4, 2008

Beckham will do good

hey | 7:18 p.m. May 4, 2008

Well real salt lake has had about 20 thousand to all of their home games so far except for the galaxy game in which they had 25 thousand. I think its kinda rediculous to say that the only time fans come out is when beckham comes around, also to say "who cares, its soccer," is also way out there considering the consistent support that rsl does get from game to game. I think it is time you went to a game and actually saw for yourself how awesome the beautiful game really is.

Great game | 8:21 p.m. May 4, 2008

Great game. RSL outplayed LA and should have won 2-0. Rimando gives up any goal over shoulder height. The guy is way too small. Put Seitz in at least he can reach above the 9' mark. Rimando is a liability when any ball is truck over his head.

Re: Hey | 12:47 a.m. May 5, 2008

You obviously weren't there Wednesday night. They announced an attendance of 10,000 but I would be surprised if 5,000 were actually there. GO RSL!!!!

f4denz | 7:08 a.m. May 5, 2008

First Beckham is no where near over the hill, and few players in the world can strike a ball like he can, watch the replay on the free kick and you will see a master at work. There are not many keepers in any league who could have stopped that shot, Just asks the keepers in Spain from last year, who faced similar shots as Real Madrid came back to win the Spanish league title.

RSL played well, but the best team doesn't always win in any sport. But remember in their two home draws it took incredible shots by incredible players to get a draw with RSL. I still believe we will see RSL looking hard at some international players to fill a DP slot, knowing that as more teams get their special players, we too will be forced to take it up a level. I would look for a move in July or August, just after the all star break.

RSL FAN | 10:16 a.m. May 5, 2008

To RE: Hey

First of all Wednesday night was a US Open Cup Match and it historically draws lower attendance. Also, I believe that it was the highest attended US Open Cup Match in RSL history. If you dont remember IT WAS SNOWING AND COLD. Surely poor weather doesnt affect attendance. I go to every game and I can assure you that at least 10,000 people were there.

Rslfans.com | 12:12 p.m. May 5, 2008

It was really nice to see Kreis make some much needed lineup adjustments. The midfield was much better with Williams in there to start. Olave and Borchers are extremely strong at the back. And I really like the skill and positioning that Beltran showed. He did make a couple of mistakes but I think that he has to be the selection right now over Joy.

I think that all real soccer fans understand that MLS is not among the best leagues in the world. However, the quality of soccer is improving dramatically. There are now a number of players in this league that could play for any league in the world and succeed.

Also, while the EPL is very strong at the top, I think that the best MLS teams could easily compete in a league with all the EPL teams outside of the top 4. Teams like Fulham, Derby, Birmingham, Reading and Bolton would struggle to make the playoffs in MLS.

No keeper would have gotten those two strikes by Beckham so blaming Rimando is not fair. If anything, Nick made a couple of saves that few others in the league would have made, especially the Donovan header.

Refs.. | 1:38 p.m. May 5, 2008

... in the MLS have no clue. That is going to hurt the level of play in the long run. If the refs call the game the way it should have been called it ends 3-1 RSL.

Too bad teams have to deal with incompetent referees every game. It is okay that the league tells them to let play continue if in doubt, but they need to make correct calls when they do blow the whistle. The league is going to have to fix this problem if they want the league to gain respect and continue to grow. Training, incentive to be good ref, something needs to be done.

Dallas will be challenge next week. Hopefully we can get a result and keep pace with the conference.

Go REal.

A Real Fan | 1:56 p.m. May 5, 2008

First off, great game, great atmosphere, great crowd. It was a nice night to watch soccer and enjoy the beautiful game. With that said, a few negatives.
First one, the fans in the North endzone. There was a scuffle between two fans in the north endzone when Donovan was taking corners from the west side. To the fan that got up in the guys way of blowing his horn and yelling, what the heck? Why can the guy not blow his horn at Donovan? Are we supposed to be quiet when he takes the corner? That made no sense to me, and worst off, both guys got thrown out? what is wrong here? why cant we try to distract the opposing players?
Secondly, Rimando is a liability. That set piece was not well hit by any means. it was pretty well in the middle of the goal. with that said, i dont think there was a whistle for the set piece which brings up two questions. first did the ref say he was going to set up the 10 and wait for the whistle to Beckham? secondly (if so) then why did he not call it back?

A Real Fan contd | 2:02 p.m. May 5, 2008

if the ref said to wait, then the RSL players should have complained more. i noticed the Dr. did, but no one else really.
Rimando, as i said, is a liability though. he is too short to be playing keeper in these tight games. I'm not saying Seitz would have saved the set piece, but he probably could have got a finger or two to the first one. How do we bench the U-23 Olympic goalie for a guy like Rimando? Unbelievable.
The addition of Yura was a huge mistake, the guy does not pick his head up at all.
Real, after a brilliant first like 30 mins, kind of let off the gas and let LA back in the game. If real would have kept the same mentatlity of possesion and finding the Dr, they could have probably netted a 3rd and killed off the game. Early season mistakes that must be fixed!
It was nice to see Real play some pretty soccer for the first 30 and some of the second half. I can now say i saw a DB set piece live! even though it wasnt very great. Best of luck RSL!!!

What our 11 should be | 2:26 p.m. May 5, 2008

Goalie: Seitz

Left Back: Joy
Center Back: Mantilla
Center Back: Borchers
Right Back: Olave

Left Mid: Beckerman
Holding Mid: Sturgis
Attacking Mid: Morales
Right Mid: Williams

Striker: Espindola
Striker: Deuchar

Subs:Findley, Cordoba, Kovalenko, Wingert, Rimando

This would be my dream starting 11 for RSL. I know Sturgis is injured and such, but when healthy this would be the most productive lineup in my opinion.

Have your take on it though, lets see what you think would work.

my take | 3:39 p.m. May 5, 2008

Push Mantilla out to the wing and let Olave (he is not a wing defender; Mantilla is better suited for the wing) play center and start Beltran instead of Joy (he is faster and more capable). Midfield looks good, and I like the subs still, Wingert still has a question mark on my list though. I'm still waiting for his amazing crosses to come...

Hopefully Kreis will put a similar 11 out on the field against Dallas, he is getting closer to the right mix. We are going to have to have our defense close a lot faster than we did against LA.

I've had enough of the defensive approach. After 2 goals, get a clue and close people out by scoring goals instead of trying to prevent them.

Anonymous | 6:17 p.m. May 5, 2008

the DR. and Espindola up front. AMazing duo! Beckerman's new offensive position, as opposed to his holding position with Colorado has been amazing! Great job RSL! Third goal was definitely ON SIDE!!! Great line up tonight! Criticisms- you don't let one of the best free kick takers and ball servers in the world unmarked..... he had wayyyyyyy too much space!

Re: my take | 11:03 a.m. May 6, 2008

Wingert hasn't had a lot of brilliant offensive plays, but has been very, very steady as a wide back. I don't think I would like to risk having Mantilla in that position. I'd like to see what Mantilla could do as a d-mid, though (as long as Mr Glass is injured). That would give Dema (who has had some great offensive plays) a little more action up top.

Good game..bad ref. | 4:31 p.m. May 6, 2008

It shouldn't have been 2-2 because LA's free kick should have been indirect due to it being dangerous play. These refs are bad, if I made an equivalant mistake I would have a severe reprimand.
LA looked slow but we played to their speed most of the game, we need to play with intensity the entire match (hard to do).

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