Steve Pastorino takes a shot at the Where We Were concept, writing a feature article from the press box and turning it in as the game ends for RSL's 2-1 win over Dallas.
By Steve Pastorino
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (May 10, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- Seven days after David Beckham mania swept the Wasatch front, Rice-Eccles Stadium seemed poised for a letdown. A polite sparse crowd of 12,173 (second-smallest in RSL history for a regular season game) must have had RSL’s history of distressing finishes against FC Dallas in mind as the teams kicked off on a perfect spring night.
Kyle Beckerman, Dema Kovalenko, Andy Williams and Nick Rimando led a team effort from RSL, however, and home team celebrated with a 2-1 victory when all was said and done. Beckerman’s 73rd minute finish decided the game, as he ran onto a Williams’ chip and deftly placed the ball behind a flat-footed Sala.
It looked like it might be another in a long series of RSL blown leads against Dallas just minutes earlier, when Kenny Cooper had notched an equalizer against the run of play. Given too much space on a long run down the right side of the field in the 56th minute, he launched a right-footed blast that rocketed past Rimando.
Change was afloat from the outset, as both teams abandoned traditional formations. FC Dallas lined up with three forwards for only the second time this season, rested Blake Wagner in anticipation of a call-up to the U23 National team this week (and the Toulon tournament) and dropped Juan Toja to a deep left midfield position.
In RSL’s case, with Jason Kreis watching from high above the stadium in the press box due to his suspension, the team went with three backs for the first time this season, moving center backs Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers to the right and left side respectively. Circumspect Matias Mantilla held down the center, with Kovalenko sweeping the midfield in front of him.
RSL broke through in the first half in the 28th minute. One of the ugliest goals of the season came on a long ball that Dario Sala attempted to clear before on onrushing Javier Morales. Sala’s clearance hit teammate Andre Rocha, bounced off a startled Drew Moor and fell to Morales feet for an easy finish.
It had been a go-go first half with the teams combining for 19 shots. FC Dallas had the best of the chances, launching 11 shots and forcing three saves by Nick Rimando. They also forced Rimando to range 30+ yards from goal for a clearance, a fairly common occurrence on the other hand for Dallas’ active, heart-attack-inducing Sala. Between Adrian Serioux’s picturesque 40-yard throw-ins and long balls from Drew Moor, Andre Rocha and Toja, Dallas pressured RSL’s three-man line from distance, frequently in the air.
Despite physical play in the center of the park, just two cards were handed out. Kovalenko seemed to be in the middle of every skirmish (as usual), with Beckerman, and all the Argentines on both sides also mixing it up.
At game’s end, RSL suddenly found itself just a point behind West leaders Dallas and Colorado, although the Galaxy had yet to play.
The History:
• Four times in the past two season, FC Dallas had ruined RSL nights in the final 10 minutes. Last year on Opening Night, Carlos Ruiz scored in the 2nd half injury time to turn an RSL Opening night celebration into a gut-wrenching tie. On May 20, Chris Gbandi scored a goal of the year nominee with a 82nd minute blast. Then just weeks later, Dominic Oduro scored in the 90th minute. Abe Thompson was the villain in July 2006, with a 90th minute goal to give Dallas the win.
• RSL finally broke someone else’ streak… FC Dallas entered the game 15-0-3 all-time when Kenny Cooper scores a goal.
Where We Were articles are written from the press box and published with the final whistle. At least that's the idea. Former RSL GM Steve Pastorino will run the Ogden Marathon this month to raise money for the official charity of the U.S. Men’s National team – the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Make a donation or find more at http://www.active.com/donate/tntdms/tntdmsTPastor2. Steve welcomes your feedback at pastorinosoccer@comcast.net.
