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Real Salt Lake: Team needs a win or draw to advance

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Howard S. | 9:18 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009
Go team go... Tie team tie...

Oh wait, if you can't win you shouldn't advance.
todd from santa ana | 1:25 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
very very concerned. This article before i even got the last few sentences, I could smell the hints of playing "defensively" and trying to get shutout.

If this team plays 10 behind the ball and plays without attacking for 90 minutes it will lose, and then I will be back calling for Jason to be relieved of his duties.

Good Luck RSL and I pray you guys do not think of implementing a ultra defensive posture.

It RARELY WORKS
Calling their bluff.... | 7:21 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Kreis knows we are terrible at defending a lead. He's just saying things to make columbus think that is our plan. Findley bags one in the 20th minute, and Espy ices the game in the 55th. Cbus might pull one back through a Schelotto wonder-strike, but i like our chances.
Comments continue below
Huh? | 7:33 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Even though nothing about soccer is newsworthy, here's hoping for a 0-0 tie just so no feelings end up getting hurt.
Heffe | 7:34 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
The only thing a prevent defense does is prevent the team from winning the game (or series) as we saw with the Crew. Good luck if that is how it will be tonight.
Anonymous | 7:41 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
This playoff run presents a huge opportunity for RSL, not only for the glory, but for RSL's popularity in Utah. I have encountered numerous people who are following RSL through the playoffs, people who haven't been interested previously. A great opportunity to take advantage and build fan base. Don't squander it RSL, go for the throat! Don't defend the entire match. Play to win. Go Real!!!
Nussdorfer AC | 7:44 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I agree with Todd, we have almost never been successful dropping back for all 90 minutes. We do better spreading the field and giving our backline some room to work. Here's to RSL.
Anonymous | 7:45 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
play good d and play good offience and just simple beat the crew the old fashion way!... even if u beat them 1-0! i hate the ag. system
Ryan | 8:39 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Columbus is going to come out angry, and RSL needs to be prepared to absorb pressure for the first 20 minutes of the match. After that, things will start to open up a little more.

I'm concerned about the reinsertion of GBS and Moreno into the lineup. Dangerous players, both. RSL needs to play to their strengths and counter-attack well.

Bottom line, we can't hope to shut them out - we won't. We will need to score in this match. I'm sure the coaching staff realizes this, but I hope the players do, as well. RSL is talented enough to win this series.

Anonymous | 8:55 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Don't play defensive soccer. You will lose. RSL, attack. Putting 10 guys behind the ball will give the yellow boys way to many shot opportunities and one of those is bound to leak through. Come out attacking! Make the yellow boys play defense too, make them earn every shot they take!

GO RSL!
Puck Puck | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Go GRIZZLIES!
What I heard | 9:35 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Actually, there is a lot of discord in the Cbus locker room. GBS will not be back next year, and simply now does not care after being benched. He will not be motivated and will not care. He is just waiting to back to Argentina. He already won the MVP and MLS cup, he can now care less about the Crew.
Chadders | 10:00 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
After the terrible game here with waaaaay too much diving I hope we ruin the game for their fans too. I don't mean use their same tactics I mean take it to them and seize our chance to move on. I want RSL to seem like we are content to just sit back and when they least suspect it go forward and get a goal and continue pilling it on. Show them we should have been the Champs last year and they wouldn't have stood a chance against us. We are a more balanced team then the Crew and we should have more hunger than the Crew. Not one national report is giving us a chance at all. NOT ONE! Let's show them. RSL 3-1 revenge for the last time in their stadium.
Chadders | 10:18 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I agree with "What I heard". The Crew seemed a team that is very divided. GBS didn't seem bothered in the least that he wasn't playing. The other players didn't seem to care either. RSL is definetely peaking at the right time and Cbus is going the opposite way. We have a great opportunity. Carpe Diem RSL!
STEVE-O | 10:25 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I agree with Todd. Defending for 90 minutes will never work. RSL has got to push the ball forward at times and be agressive. It's possible to play solid defense, while putting pressure on the offensive end.
Columbus tried to put 10 guys behind the ball in Salt Lake and now they're behind. Why does Jason Kreis believe things will turn out any different for him.

I say come out with your foot on the gas and bury the Crew with an early goal.
J Crunch | 10:35 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Actually Chadders, Jason the producer on the ExtraTime program on the MLS website is picking RSL to win it. Shep Messing is picking Columbus though. I've read a lot of comments, even Columbus fans on the Crew message boards, that they think RSL will advance. I really like our chances. I think as long as we don't surrender an early goal that we win 2-1.
Vince Clortho | 11:39 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Nick the first goal and make em' chase...
If you hate soccer | 12:50 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Don't Watch
TIE | 12:52 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I hope there is a tie because soccer is so boring. I can't wait until RSL leaves Salt Lake and they give me my tax money back. I need that money because my mom is now charging me for rent. She said 35 years old is too old to be in the basement.
PK's | 12:54 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I think it is going to come down to PK's I hope RSL has been practicing.
todd from santa ana | 1:23 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Crunch, Steve and Chadders, and others: Javy Morales was quoted as saying "we need to score a goal to enhance our chances"

I am hopeful Jason knows this. We need to come out the first 20 minutes "and not sit back" because I think Columbus is expecting too. This coach for Columbus had a nice article about him in the New issue of Soccer America, but he is not Sigi

Thankfully,.
pepsi guy | 1:32 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I think we really need to come out and attack, but it is also ridiculous if you think Columbus isn't going to come out guns-a-blazin'. You are going to have to play very soundly defensive soccer, but don't just play long ball counter-attack out of it. Play it through the middle. That is when this team has always played at its best.

Findlay for 2 tonight would just make my year.

I don't like soccer.... | 1:42 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I don't like soccer - because the ball moves around fast, the people are fast runners, sometimes they bump each other hard, they make far soccer kicks and then they make short soccer kicks, sometimes the person with the different shirt jumps and blocks the ball and sometimes he tries but the ball goes in the goal. I also think only other sports are good, because someone else told me to think that way. I was also told that people who like soccer are boring and not smart like me.
Re: Howard S. and Tie | 2:13 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Howard, if we tie we win cause its called aggregate score, we win 1-0. I know thats a tough concept for someone who doesnt like soccer to comprehend, but quit being a moron and dont post anything if you dont care about it. At Tie. 35 living in your parents basement huh? That raises a lot of questions about you and gives you zero credibility when you post. Do you live in Sandy? If not your tax's are not going toward the stadium. It sounds like you have bigger problems and you should be focusing your attention elsewhere. With that being said, we are not a defensive team so we need to attack attack attack. GO REAL!
RE: Tie | 2:52 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
Funny stuff. But, I think the haters tend to be older than that, but they probably still live in the basement with their mom. Go Real!
Snare | 3:06 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I think Tie was kidding and making fun of the soccer haters...
Chadders | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I had suggested in earlier articles a 4-3-3 would give RSL more flexibility than the 4-4-2. If you need to defend from the 4-3-3 you drop the outside strikers and play a 4-5-1. If you fall behind you push up your CM into a CAM and play a 4-2-4. It's put up or shut up time. Pespi guy is absolutely correct RSL plays best through the middle. If you see RSL just defending and sending long balls to the other side of the field, then the Crew will advance. If you see RSL hold possesion and advance the ball up the field through quality runs, short passes and having more than one person make a run at balls sent into the box, RSL will win.
Jackburro | 3:23 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I was at the local Maverick and they gave out free tickets to the watch party tonight at Rio Taco. I said no thanks I've got some paint to watch dry, plus I'm still so exciting from watching the World Series take 6 hours to end. Soccer isn't an American sport it is just for scarf wearing Eurosnobs. The NBA season just started and even though I already know it will be a Lakers vs Celtics finals, if I miss the Jazz game tonight at 10 my life will end because there will only be about 78 games left. My mom needs to get on the computer so I better get off now. Soccer sux LMAO
Soccer in USA | 3:33 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
This is one of the reasons why MLS Soccer will never be more popular than that of: NFL,MLB,NBA,NHL,Nascar,PGA Tour, ect. Play two games instead of best of three. In the World series the Phillies outscored the Yankees 7-4 in the first two games. Why can't they play just one game or best 2-3? Soccer is fun to watch but they have to change.... Just like Checketts said on the radio this summer..... they need to have a shootout instead of ending in a tie. They need to follow checketts lead and take it to the next level.
J Crunch | 4:42 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
RE: Soccer in USA

Yes, by all means, let's do what you say. If we played 2 out of 3 instead of 2 games aggregate goals I'm sure everyone would be leaving the NFL, NBA, and MLB. And since we're going to have shootouts to end every tied MLS game, why don't we have a free throw shootout to decide NBA tied games. How about a field goal "kickout" to decide all NFL games that end in a tie. (As it is, in the NFL overtime, winning the coin flip is a very significant factor in who wins the game - go team, win that coin toss!) Bottom line is, a shootout is not an ideal way to end a game. It is too arbitrary, but there has to be something - in ELIMINATION GAMES ONLY!

Anyway, that's a discussion in and of itself. I'm excited for the game tonight! I'm feelin' some good vibes.
Ummmmm.... | 8:46 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Soccer in USA | 3:33 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
This is one of the reasons why MLS Soccer will never be more popular than that of: NFL,MLB,NBA,NHL,Nascar,PGA Tour, ect. Play two games instead of best of three. In the World series the Phillies outscored the Yankees 7-4 in the first two games. Why can't they play just one game or best 2-3? Soccer is fun to watch but they have to change.... Just like Checketts said on the radio this summer..... they need to have a shootout instead of ending in a tie. They need to follow checketts lead and take it to the next level.
-----

Except they used to play best of 3 in the MLS playoffs, so ah. . . . NEXT!

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