Comments about ‘Real Salt Lake would settle for an ugly win’

Amping the intensity in midfield will require dropping Mathis from the starting 11. If you're going to ask everybody to be "committed to the core" you can't have one guy out there who just doesn't get stuck in on tackles, stands off players on defense, won't work for his team mates off the ball, and only comes to life when he's just outside the box with the ball at his feet. We don't have the luxury of Mathis' lethargy for 75 minutes, waiting for the two or three moments of creativity he supplies. I wouldn't care if it's Deuchar, Findley or Espindola (if he's fit) who replace Mathis, but we can't afford to come out against Chivas with 10 v. 11 as we did in the Rapids game.

Couldn't agree more with Full90. We may not have lost since Mathis has been on the pitch, but he, as a starting striker, has only had one shot on goal during that time. That's unacceptable, Mathis' attitude is unacceptable, and Mathis starting in our first playoff game is unacceptable.

I keep reading negative comments regarding Mathis. You're all wrong. You're still hung up on the Mathis we had the first go-round. If you can't see Mathis working hard every minute he's out there, then you're either not watching or you, like the average onlooker who doesnt get socver, aren't able to see his movement off the ball and touches which set up chances e.g., his outside the the right 30 yard pinpoint pass to wingert who then set up johnson for the winning goal against Dallas. 2 others for real could have seen that and maybe executed like he did. My point? You're not seeing the mathis we have this time. He's different and he works on offense and on defense. Those are the facts.

Along with not starting Mathis, PLEASE don't start Kovalenko! He can't hold possession and his touch is terrible. Plus, he's a red card waiting to happen. Please start Williams in his place! Let's go Real...take it to Harris and Esky!!

James,
We qualified for the playoffs because we were lucky and had Nick Rimando in a superb game. Were not going far in the postseason if Kreis continues with his stubborness playing Mathis and leaving Andy Williams in the bench with Dema trotting around with silly fouls and no idea what to do in that position. Olave and Borchers where good, in airballs and to the floor blowing up the ball away from the box when needed.
In your article that the midfielders did not follow the game plan. It was a game plan? I did not see Kreis screeming from the sidelines to go back to it.
Our coach needs to be more active during the game, not having the beet seat to only watch.

I agree boyz, that's my one real gripe with Kries. It's like he and Mathis are in the ol' boyz club or something. He's had a few really good passes and a couple of good ops on goal, but really any of the other 3 strikers do more..Kenny while he has had bad luck I think chases on D and holds the ball well. Espi and Findley know how to finish...

Andy needs to start. Put Beckerman in the Holding spot and put Andy in on the wing.

Espindola is far and away the best striker and if healthy should be out there.

Come on. You have to see what he brings to the team. I see him running and doing the little things a lot of players don't get. I want mathis to start because he has done a good job linking Javi and Yura wiht the outside mids. That is my take. Sure, he hasn't scored, but has come really close but for the post. It will come.

However, I do think that Finley bring something against Chivas on the front line, but with Mathis as a withdrawn stiker, we may have better posession.

Mathis did not hit a "30 yard perfect pass" to Wingert on the Johnson goal. Wingert was maybe 20 yards away from Mathis completely unmarked. Dont make Mathis out to be a hero in that goal cuz all credit goes to Will 'the kid' Johnson. With possibly a little going to Wingert for the fantastic ball to him (much better then Mathis' ball if you watch the replay)

I think you're exactly right! they are just being buddy buddy with each other. Really all of you sticking up for mathis, it's a nice gesture, and we should support him since he is on our side, But the thing is he is aged for soccer, he can't give his all out there. If you say i have no experience in soccer you're wrong i've played at a competitive level for more than ten years, I know soccer. Mathis may have what it takes, but he doesn't bring it to the table, he doesn't flow with the team. and his lethargy makes me want to rip my hair out. He isn't the only culprit of saturday night, but many of us noticed him walking back as the ball floated right over his head, he doesn't follow up on shots and doesn't help out a lot on defense, slowing counter attacks. think of his header saturday night, had he followed on that i'm almost positive he would have had a second chance on that and possibly a goal. I will be pleasantly surprised when he shows otherwise. for now Deuchar, Espi, and findley are my picks for starters.

Redundant 8:15, you don't want to play the "you don't know soccer card", my friend. I played 4 years in college, semi-pro indoor, and now I'm a USSF A-licensed professional coach and ODP staff coach. I can say I know soccer because it's my job to know soccer.

That said, Mathis needs to go. He's a forward who isn't producing. Every time he gets a chance to finish he's a step late. His intentions are good, and it's obvious he's trying hard. But being a forward is about production, period. All that garbage about him being a link between the mids and Yura is just that. Mathis needs to be scoring....Yura can't shoulder the whole load as the going gets tough in the playoffs. Espindola (a fine passer himself) needs to be back on the pitch in place of Mathis if RSL is going to win the series with Chivas.

needs to be back in the Midfield, he is a better midfielder, I believe he is a little to slow for forward these days, but he is still my favorite player it doesn't seem like he plays with that chip on his shoulder like he use too, will need some of that for the playoffs, but they do need to take him out of forward.

If Esp is healthy it is a no brainer. Espy and Movsysian up top with Duechar/Findley as subs. (Mathis sits)
Morales
Johnson Williams
Beckerman

Joy, Borchers, Olave, Wingert

Rimando

There is no way Mathis should be playing forward for us.

Mathis is...
slow
old
overrated
not smart
baby
whiner
bad touch...and i guess he is alright with his head
In the end Andy is a better fit and can control the tempo better than Mathis.

I agree with anyone who said clint mathis should be on the bench.

It's easy to heap blame on one player, but there's no point in dropping a person from the team if the replacement can't offer anything better. Why trade down?

That said Mathis is playing for his position in the squad next season, so he may be more motivated with the extra focus pressure brings.

Re: Know Soccer. Congratulations on your myriad achievments. See: Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney Enlgand National team. Heskey doesn't score but he isn't sitting. Why? B/C He is all over the place and somehow brings out the best in his strike partner. Now, let's look at Movsysian's form since Mathis has been back...seems like Kreis is on to something.
There's no question that a healthy Espindola is first choice. Unfortunately we don't have a healthy Espindola. So, why not plug in a born-again workhorse to partner with a break-out scoring machine in Movsysian and allow a hungry young striker with sprinter speed (Findley) to come in a cause havoc and score goals in the last 30?
I'm not saying Mathis has to start or even play. I'm just saying Real has looked pretty good since he's returned to the team. Again, I didn't like the idea either when I first heard he was back, but for those of you complaining, if you recognize results when you see them...then you don't know soccer.