2011
189 posts
December
- Departures, Discussions, and Decisions: RSL roster in transition
- RSL original Andy Williams, will join technical staff as scout
- Departures and Arrivals: Big Ol' Jean leaves for the Bay
November
- Robbie Russell departs RSL for DC
- The Folly of Youth (Football): Tempering expectations for Luis Gil
- RSL's Warner selected by Montreal Impact 6th in Expansion Draft
- Ned Grabavoy tops RSL's unprotected list for Montreal draft
- MLS Expansion Draft looms; protection list coming today
- The Crossbar Awards: 2011 Player of the Year
- The Crossbar Awards: 2011 Forward of the Year
- The Crossbar Awards: 2011 Midfielder of the Year
- The Crossbar Awards: 2011 Defender of the Year
- The Crossbar Awards: 2011 Goalkeeper of the Year
- Player of the 2011 Playoffs
- Though RSL nation reels from defeat, reactions are well-tempered
- Tough loss typical of tough season for Claret and Cobalt
- Guest Column: We've Been Here Before, We've Got What it Takes
- Midfield setup will be essential as Galaxy fall to Earth
- Galaxy, though pipped to win, should stand little chance in face of Claret and Cobalt
- Los Angeles, ahoy! At our best, we needn't fear the Galaxy
- RSL at the CLink
- RSL through to conference finals after hard-fought aggregate win over Seattle
- Watching at Bout Time Pub
- Falling to Seattle not an option: RSL must remain tactically sound
- Nick in the Drive-Thru
- Nov. 1, 2011
- Todd and Sabo
- Return leg: Concentrate and everything will fall into place
October
- Chris Wingert and a couple young fans
- Meeting Will and Nat
- Steve, Javi's Kit, and the Banner
- Second leg looming, RSL must continue attack on Seattle defense
- A Well-Named Car and a Young Student of the Game
- Taking It All In
- Body Language
- Retaining the Cup
- Kasey Keller after three
- RSL domineering in 3-0 win over Sounders, Javi-Sabo impact immense
- Excitement building as Sounders come to town; tactical match preview
- Looking forward: Positives building before Seattle matchup
- CCL difficulties not a 'curse'; first wildcard playoff a real snorefest
- Weather, elevation should be secondary in home advantage
- Dropped heads during season, perk back up: The playoffs are here
- Player of the Month, October 2011
- Gutting draw with Portland hurts; San Jose scuppers RSL chance for wild card
- Today is the day we put the season to bed: Let's do it with three points
- Oct. 22
- The Timbers Army Flares Up
- No playoffs for Portland, but RSL should come out swinging regardless
- Portland will be hunting for a win at RSL — unless NYRB win tonight
- RSL to pick 11 to protect, could prepare to lose a player to expansion draft
- Time to jeer is over, time to believe and support starts now
- Monday Notes: CCL berth essential, Portland match a must-win
- Guest Post: I Know I Am, I’m Sure I Am, Salt Lake Till I Die
- Rocky Mountain Cup retained as defensive work wins on the day
- Despite absences, RSL can field strong lineup for Rocky Mountain Cup
- Oct. 14
- RSL set to keep RMC; Beckerman, respect, and the USMNT
- Oct. 12
- Chance to smash our Rocky Mountain foes beckons
- The Claret and Cobalt ... in Space!
- Reserves lose to Fire; MLS tries to save refereeing face
- International roundup, and why going after forwards for not scoring is foolhardy
- Despite big drops, some recent positives for RSL exist
- Oct. 8
- Refereeing decisions have their impact, but RSL doesn't respond in 3-0 loss
- Oct. 7
- Vancouver's possession-disruption attempts could lead to cat-and-mouse affair
- With three matches left, RSL must play for pride
- Absences, injuries, and tactical nonsense: three at the back?
- Oct. 4
- Player of the Month, September 2011
- Third consecutive defeat not dooming so much as disappointing
- RSL set out to make it a Claret and Cobalt-colored galaxy
- Oct. 1
September
- Rimando, Beckerman called up; post-match positives
- Sept 30
- Sept. 29
- Disheartening performance from RSL brightened only by Javi's return
- Notes on a Javi, or The Playmaker Strikes Back
- Choices: Who are RSL's best positional options?
- Loss asks questions about Alvarez, Warner and Alexandre
- Experiment backfires as RSL drops 4-1 to DC
- RSL set out to extend streak to six with D.C. United visit
- Marquez quotes illustrate RSL strengths
- Win sees RSL shine defensively, offensively against disastrous NYRB
- Shield beckons as RSL prepare to launch into NYRB
- NYRB match preview, Saturday's tactical notes
- Critics continue RSL write-off, Return of the Javi approaches
- RSL make it four in a row, scrape win against Sporting KC
- Red-hot RSL look to continue form against Sporting KC
- Signings represent growing future for RSL
- RSL sign two midfielders on deadline day
- Injuries ease again as squad prepares for run for Shield
- Javi return nears as Sept. 28 date set as new target
- RSL salaries take interesting turn with drops in base for Beckerman, Olave
- Games-in-hand vital as season nears final weeks
- RSL 2 - 1 SEA: Claret and Cobalt oversaturate Emerald in bizarre 10-man match
- Must-win match looms in the Emerald City
- Time for the Claret and Cobalt to quiet that noisy Seattle crowd
- Rating the Midfield: How'd they fare without Javi?
- International Roundup: Beckerman, Alvarez, Johnson and Alexandre
- The Beckerman Factor; RSL Reserves feature intriguing guests
- RSL's through being cool as season picks up again
- RSL run out winners as Paulo Jr. returns, Cody Arnoux begins RSL career
- "Do or die" for RSL as Union come to town
- Player of the Month, August 2011: Luis Gil
- Depletion not deadly; youth developments a plus
August
- Collegiate system requires long-term strategic rethink for US success
- International play, call-ups: Nationalism, patriotism, or just an honor?
- Defensive outlooks and the Injured and Absent XI
- Downhill, uphill, no matter: RSL claims 1-0 win over Chivas USA
- Chivas USA battle approaching, international absences near
- The Injured XI, lineup predictions, and internationalists
- Depleted RSL looking threadbare with impending international call-ups
- Meet and Greet refreshing; injury list bigger than ever
- Rollercoaster season continues as we prep for Chivas
- Sustaining playoff hopes require serious improvement of form
- Big questions on the docket after 4th loss in 5
- Injuries, despite impact, won't make Houston match unwinnable
- Friday Lineup Prediction (and half-baked analysis)
- Gloom and doom permeate RSL camp during midweek void
- Mid-week notes: Wagner signing, league DP changes
- RSL sign defensive cover in Blake Wagner
- Fixing a hole (where the goals get in)
- Bumpy road getting bumpier: Can Espindola and Saborio work together?
- Dismal finishing dooms RSL to 1-0 loss in Toronto
- Battered Toronto provide options as RSL look to find feet, kick on
- Road form improvement needed in close season run-up
- Classy Beckerman impresses for U.S. in Mexico friendly
- Flexibility, workrate sees Kyle Beckerman serving as RSL linchpin
- RSL reserves run out winners in Dallas, NYRB stats roundup
- Match Notes: RSL displays solidity against NYRB
- Red Bulls fall to rejuvenated RSL, Luis Gil grabs first MLS goal
- RSL must defeat strong New York Red Bulls side, avoid losing third consecutive match
- MLS stumbles aside, RSL retains good position moving forward
- Beckerman named in USMNT squad for Mexico matchup
- Costly errors plague RSL in 2-0 loss to Sporting KC
- Defensive errors must be corrected in Kansas City
- Injuries hit RSL squad; Grabavoy out for 4-6 weeks
- How They Scored: Columbus Crew
- Under the Crossbar Player of the Month, July 2011: Ned Grabavoy
July
- RSL falters in opening minutes; defensive errors lead to 2-0 Crew win
- RSL must smash Crew; Luis Gil steps toward becoming a legend; Diving debate continues
- Saborio receives single-match ban for dive against San Jose
- Gearing up for the Crew; Bradley firing doesn't point to Kreis as USMNT option
- All-Stars shot down to Earth; Nelson Gonzalez suffers season-ending injury
- Rants: All-Star Game, the MLS and mid-season friendlies
- The Kreis 4-3-3: A Re-Analysis of the Diamond
- Dive aside, writing was on the wall for San Jose
- Black spot can't distract from dominant RSL win as 'Quakes shake
- Tactical match preview; midfield setup requires incisive focus
- Earthquakes present opportunity for swashbuckling defense to shine
- Rio Tinto attendance average for MLS despite smaller market size
- Agorsor pens RSL contract, will wear No. 13 kit
- MLS, drunk on English ale, continues to pimp clubs
- Necessary break boosts RSL title claims, Vancouver pitch falls apart
- Vancouver karma, All-Star picks, and not much else
- Trophies, not friendlies, should be league goal
- MLS, Vancouver play Stupid Card as RSL match cancelled
- Vancouver visit presents distinctly winnable three points
- Half gone, the season's had meteoric highs — and lows
- Mid-season friendlies only provide monetary benefit
- Dallas dominant as Claret and Cobalt crumble
- Open Cup preview; MLS friendlies betray competitive edge
- Open Cup lineup dependent on player fitness
- RSL show title credentials in 2-0 win over FC Dallas
- FC Dallas visit presents another must-win match
- How They Scored: New England Revolution
- RSL to return home for Open Cup should they proceed
- Beckerman, Grabavoy keep midfield ticking against Revs
- Squad character and class show after clawing three back
- Utah's RSL must quash the Revolution
- Signings, transfers unlikely as positions hard to fill
- July: Vital time for RSL to establish quality form
June
- Squad depth boosted by injury crisis
- Wilmington fall to domineering RSL performance
- Open Cup matchup presents opportunity for rest, confidence
- Tactic dynamics miles ahead of MLS league play
- RSL ease back to old ways with 3-1 win over Toronto
- Toronto presents winnable home match before vital returns
- Injuries, absences belie squad depth
- Injuries pile up as RSL grab 8th point in 8
- Depleted side to take pitch against Chicago
- Gold Cup returns, MLS injuries unbalance squad ahead of Chicago match
- Midfield discontinuity plagues matches
- Late-match dive mars RSL's deserved draw
- The Importance of Being Jean / News Roundup
- MLS success depends on home performance, 3 points / Match Preview