Reader comments
Real Salt Lake: A change in formation helped RSL in victory

Remember | 6:10 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Formations are nice, but everyone's still talking about the run Andy made to get to that back post. Watch it again. He starts out at midfield, and remember, he's just made a similar run a few minutes earlier to the middle of the goal that wasn't rewarded. Andy was never the most athletic player; he's 32 and trailing the speedy Findley on the play. But watch his face. The guy would rather die on the pitch than give up on that run. I've watched the replay a dozen times and I still get choked up. On a post on another story, somebody asked if Mathis, who's also 32, would have made that run. I say Mathis wouldn't do that in the 2nd minute, let alone the 80th. If we make the playoffs this year, a big reason why will be the sheer heart of Andy Williams.

Anonymous | 6:13 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

go with a 4-4-2-1 or a 4-3-3-1. just make sure the "1" is Clint on the bench...

get real | 6:45 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

The Mathis haters are out in force again I see. Well, Mathis has twice the "heart" of Andy Williams and has given alot more to this team over its history than Andy has. Plus his work rate and tackling are much better than Andy's, whose more of a pure offensive player. For me, Mathis outworked even Johnson and Espindola on Wed. night.

Comments continue below

Mathis | 7:58 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Had some great crosses, but was a little static at times...Not his worst game, but not his best...Espi did look gassed down the stretch but that mattered less as the others caught up later in the game...Johnson had a lot of energy, at some times he over pursues...Beckerman WAS everywhere and passed well...

I get the idea we may see a different starting lineup, but I think JK wants supersubs to come in and step it up....

Twice the heart of Andy? | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Take off the Mathis blinders buddy.

He is winding down in all aspects.

Mathis slowing? | 9:45 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

If Mathis is slowing the Williams is checking into a retirement home. Williams plays with flair and as a result alot of you have blinders on regarding him. Mathis plays his role, which is passing/ball control/and defense. Williams role is just offense.

I wouldn't say Mathis has twice the heart of Williams, but he is a better overall player.

Chadders | 9:46 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

I think it is very interesting that it seems most RSL fans either love Andy or love Clint but not both. I myself love Clint. I will give Andy credit though. He put himself out there on FB and said he was going to score and score he did. WE DON'T NEED TO PUT DOWN ONE TO BUILD THE OTHER UP!!!!!!!
Clint is great and Andy is great. They are both different. In my opinion it works best when Clint starts and plays at least 65 minutes and Andy comes on as a sub. If we are going to rip someone, we should all be ripping Javi. He has really dropped off this year and a lot of our struggles are because he hasn't stepped his game up. I hope you don't get me wrong because I love Javi. How Javi goes, so goes RSL. When Javi plays well we look unbeatable, but when he is just going through the motions we look blah. We need a focused Javi and Kyle show in Toronto to make the playoffs. I sure hope we do.

georg | 9:54 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

regarding the comment by get real.
You cannot be serious in your comments? Mathis is gassed every match by the 60th minute and Wednesday night with the exception of some nicely played long passes he did nothing.
Espindola put in 4 times as much work and was rewarded in the end. Mathis was pulled.

mathis hater here, | 10:45 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

I thought Mathis played pretty well for a change. Bottom line is he is not that valuable to the team, playing A LOT of minutes the last 2 years has produced exactly 2 goals. Not sure that is what we are looking for. His fans will point to his 7 assists, but they seem to forget most of those are lame "2nd" assists or off corner kicks. He takes a valuable starting spot away from Williams- the much better player holding the ball, defensively and distribution, solely because he is good friends with Kreis. Welcome to the all boys club. That is why you see people on both sides...

Stats | 10:46 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

When you look at the MLS Stats based on goals and assists. Andy is the the most effective player on the team based on minutes played and rusults during that time. The stats speak for themselves. Andy is a proven veteran. Morales is over hyped and needs to step it up and prove he deserves all the hype. I like him but he has been a ghost this year.

Fetchers | 3:09 p.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Andy has twice the heart of anyone on the team. He lacks big time on speed and natural athleticism, but his heart (and to a certain extent his skill) are unmatched by anyone on the team.

Mathis has more natural ability than anyone on this team. If he had the 'heart' of Andy, he'd be the best player in the USA. He got lost for a lot of years cause his heart was in the wrong place. Just now is he showing some of the 'heart' we're talking about, probably cause it rubbed off on him from being on Andy's team.

I think... | 4:00 p.m. Oct. 16, 2009

..Mathis tries to kick the ball too hard.

Placement over power people.

todd from santa ana | 9:27 p.m. Oct. 16, 2009

what i know is Andy Williams more often than not is a midfield mistro, He is Paul Scholes or Carrick like in ability to control the game, passion, intelligence, vision and his runs. To me Clint Mathis has been a successful big goal striker, he can come in as a sub for 20-30 minutes up front or in support.

I would prefer both Andy and Findlay starting

good luck tomorrow i will listen on radio

So What! Who Cares? | 9:20 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

No one cares about RSL!!!!

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