2012
255 posts
December
November
- Blowing it up, or how I learned to avoid speculation and love the bomb
- Calm before the storm: RSL look to advance to conference final
- Rimando star of the show, but defense deserves plaudits
- Kreis could roll out best XI against Seattle
October
- Player of the Month, October 2012: Tony Beltran
- Positives from goalless draw with Vancouver emerge
- Match Preview: Form, form and more form
- Power Rankings Overview: As season reaches its conclusion, RSL firmly in third
- The interminable pain of dropping out: RSL and Herediano
- On "do-or-die" matches and the approach ahead of Herediano
- What if... we didn't have Espindola and Saborio on Tuesday?
- Do-or-die matches: The death of me, among other things
- Match Report: 10-man Seattle clogs lanes, Beckerman fantastic in 0-0 draw
- Match Preview: Notes on a rivalry, lineup prediction, and more
- What if... we were missing seven midfielders?
- Weekend Roundup: International nonsense; absences hurt
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL ranking jumps after good week
- In 5-5 draw, Reserves show mixed bag: Player Ratings
- International breaks, Chelsea and Seattle: A conflux of concerns
- Magnificent RSL coming back into form as playoffs enter view
- Match Preview: Ahead of Galaxy match, RSL looking to head into playoffs on high note
- Training Notes: Viana a talent, Espindola the keeper, and more
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL at 8th, San Jose continues to tear apart MLS
- Player of the Month, September 2012: Will Johnson
- Monday Roundup: Gil called up, 27 playoff possibilities, and call-ups
September
- RSL triumphant in 4-0 win over Chivas with Espindola, Sabo combo bright
- Match Preview: Midfield decision pending as Grabavoy out
- Training Notes: Grabavoy out; Sabo, Wingert in; hard workers
- With season nearing a close, a look at fringe players' seasons
- With CCL fate set, a look at what was not but could have been
- Stats and Musings: Tackles won, errors, aerial duels, conceding, and more
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL continues descent, rankings (and season) near end
- Match Report: RSL halts Timbers with set pieces, (insert lumber industry joke here)
- Match Preview: Kreis faces Saborio question ahead of Portland duel
- Training Notes: Saborio back, Velasquez sparky, Enzo strong, Viana intriguing
- RSL defeats tactically sound Tauro with final breath
- RSL faces do-or-die scenario in Panama
- RSL signs attacking midfielder David Viana in eyebrow-raising move
- Dissent, yellows hurt RSL more than most
- Notes: Reserves win; misleading stats; kit sales
- Dynamo surrender possession in 1-0 smash-and-grab over RSL
- Power Rankings Overview: San Jose finally take over RSL's top spot
- Match Preview: Pass-happy Houston, absences provoke questions
- Notes: National team departures, youth and the academy
- Notes: Form trickling back into Rio Tinto with RSL's thunderous display
- RSL, looking to return to form, readies for United visit
August
- CCL possibilities, unknown quantities provide fear, doubt
- Power Rankings Overview: Pained RSL find spot slipping with poor form
- Stats and Musings: Cards, aerial duels, through balls, passes and more
- Formations: A rambling take on why they're (sometimes) useful
- RSL's union-busting efforts falter in 0-0 road draw
- RSL look to break up Union, steer form from impending doom
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL drop continues with poor MLS performances
- RSL springs to life in 2-0 defeat of Tauro
- Match Preview: Unknown Tauro threat presents RSL crisitunity
- Out-of-form RSL looks to Tauro for turnaround, CCL rescue
- Down but not out, RSL falls at home to counterattacking Dallas
- Match Preview: Dizzying Dallas demands depth display, doldrums disruption
- Training Notes: Schuler back, Kwame loud, Jason active and more
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL drops in the charts while San Jose continues to hold the top
- Beckerman impresses with USMNT in historic 1-0 win in Mexico
- Stats and Musings: Substitutes, long balls, shots, clearances and crosses
- As season approaches apex, the cards revealed: An analysis of RSL's depth
- International Men of Intrigue called up, fatigue rotation likely
- Match Report: Whitecaps capitalize to send RSL home empty-handed
- Match Preview: Deja Vancouver as we take on speedy 'Caps
- Stats and Musings: Possession, though not everything, indicates MLS styles
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL drops to third, SJ closes in on top spot, Portland stuck at bottom
- Midweek Notes: Tiebreakers, disciplinary standings, and strange trades
- Player of the Month, July 2012
- Loss to Colorado stings, but time marches on
- Match Preview: Hapless Colorado offers opportunity for Olaveless RSL
- Match Report: RSL loses out to Herediano in CCL opener
July
- Match Preview: Herediano presents challenge as first-choice squad reunites
- Midfield transformation sees roles defined, responsibility shifted
- RSL triumphs over Vancouver as CCL nears; Johnson-Beckerman connection grows
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL, NYRB up; SKC down; San Jose dominant
- Match Preview: Squad changes inevitable as CCL zooms into view
- All-Star Game, fixture congestion present squad selection questions
- Stats and Musings: Yordany, passing, the final third and more
- RSL retains the Rocky Mountain Cup for sixth year as pressure pays off
- Match Preview: Visiting Rapids invite opportunity for RSL to find footing
- Training Notes: Braun, starter projections, trialists and more
- Attendance and Results: Correlation, points, and home form
- Power Rankings Watch: San Jose ranked #1 for sixth week as RSL slips
- Paulo Jr. loan presents opportunity to rediscover spark
- Hasty Decisions: Why we shouldn't rip it all up and start again
- RSL collapses under own weight in Bay Area Quake
- Match Preview: Third time's the charm? Slightly knackered RSL looks to stop the Quakes
- MLS and RSL: What is meant by physicality and athleticism?
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL retains top spot for season despite recent drops
- RSL signs Justin Braun in Montreal salary cap swindle
- Luis Gil: From prospect to key cog, 18-year-old playmaker thrives at Real Salt Lake
- Stats and Musings: Beckerman, the Great Goal Race, and more
- Superb Saborio steals show, seals success with superb showing
- Match Preview: Unshaken Timbers to try to avoid chopping by rejuvenated RSL
- Power Rankings Overview: RSL drops on charts following dip in form
- Guest Post: RSL midfielders and fouling: they take what they give
- Player of the Month, June 2012
- RSL pull out of losing skid with point against unexciting Sounders
- RSL off to escape skid, continue good fortune against Sounders
- Midfield mayhem necessitates tactical adjustment to restore parity
- RSL drop third straight after defensive errors mar Columbus match
June
- Match Preview: Columbus match could be marred by power outage, weather concerns
- Squad tinkering, trades unnecessary: Our defense isn't crocked
- Shifting sands of squad seize Estridge, Arnoux as Watson-Siriboe steps in
- Guest Post: Power Rankings Round-Up, Week 16
- Injuries take toll despite RSL finding best-yet record
- Missed opportunities, defensive errors make for deadly combination
- Error-prone RSL found out in 2-1 shaking by Earthquakes
- Match Preview: Wingert to step in for Olave; back line necessarily shifts
- VIDEO: Tony Beltran, Chris Wingert and Jason Kreis discuss Wednesday's loss to LA Galaxy
- Training Notes: Mentality and response, Mansally, Olave and young midfielders
- RSL shot back down to Earth, lose after early 2-0 lead over Galaxy
- Real Salt Lake announces signing of Gambian winger Kenny Mansally
- Match Preview: RSL set out to continue good form against LA Galaxy
- RSL set out to remain veritable Galaxy destroyers
- Ruminations from one year of Under the Crossbar
- RSL banishes Chivas with 3-0 win; rust successfully shaken off
- Match Preview: Revenge on the cards as renewed RSL look to defeat Chivas
- Returning internationalists, recovering players bode well for Chivas rematch
- Reserves find feet, win 2-1 over Chicago Fire; Mansally, midfield impress
- Training Notes: Thoughts on Paulo, Enzo, Arnoux and more; Mansally on trial with RSL
- RSL to face historic Herediano and Tauro in 2012-13 Champions League
- Playmaking options less Javi and Luis; formations and strategy
May
- 48 hours later and it still hurts; the nature of support of our players
- RSL shamed in 3-1 Open Cup loss to Minnesota Stars FC
- Kreis set to play nearly best possible eleven in US Open Cup
- Warm glowing warming glow of win still radiating; U.S. Open Cup lineup speculation
- Late drama sees RSL run out winners as Nat Borchers saves the day
- Match Preview: RSL looks to banish FC Dallas to realm of bad forms
- Training notes: Positive injury outlook, midfield future, and more
- Injuries swing back into style as RSL ready for home match
- US Open Cup home purchases devalue cup magic - but no more than ever
- Table-topping RSL need luck to maintain spot through week
- BYU snatches late goal against RSL in friendly for 1-1 draw
- RSL sets out to keep fitness high with friendly against BYU
- Friday Staturday: RSL, MLS, passing, fouling and more
- RSL tops MLS power ranking season average
- Beckerman, Rimando called up for international duty; Lagerwey and Kreis on young players
- Stats: Midfield bite defines Seattle v RSL match-up
- Hapless Sounders smashed by hungry Claret and Cobalt; record goalscorer spot claimed
- Patience required for RSL to really tick over; Seattle match looms
- Clockwork running a bit slow, cogs catching, but RSL still among the best
- RSL cautious around Fire, heed warnings about getting burned
- RSL set for at least some rotation ahead of Fire match
- RSL looks to extinguish Fire in Chicago, skew Fire's stats
- A Case of the Mondays: Notes from New England; MLS and cautions
- RSL manages 2-1 win over Revs in goalkeeping heroics-laden match
- RSL to face off against New England, (insert revolutionary pun here)
- Friday Quick Stats: Goals, Cards and Passes
- Something Wicked, These Goals Scored: Top 10 RSL goals in the First 10 matches
- Arnoux fitness a concern in injury-spotted RSL career
- Player of the Month, April 2012
April
- Monday Stats Breakdown: Midfield passing, fouls and more
- Steele's stunning stoppage strike steals show, seals steely success
- Post-Match: Chalkboards and Tactical Views, RSL v Toronto
- Match Preview: Visit from pointless Toronto presents worries, opportunity
- The Saborio Conundrum, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Striker
- RSL battles back from ill-begotten penalty to grab point at FC Dallas
- Changes to be rung in as RSL hunt for win in Texas
- Depth to play out following red cards; Espindola at times unfairly criticized
- What does a loss look like? RSL v. San Jose stats
- Red is the color of my true love's... card?
- Match Preview: San Jose trip offers no seismic shift in tactics for RSL midfield
- San Jose presents tactical decision: mark 'em out, push up, or pinch in?
- Passing stats show early-season trends, tactical shifts
- Debate: Discipline, Retroactive Red Cards, and Refereeing
- The Rise of Ned Grabavoy
- Red carpet prematurely rolled out for superlatives; Nat Borchers impressive on return
- RSL wins wide battle, loses midfield in 1-0 loss to Sporting KC
- Hype machine growing in strength; Flanks key for RSL success
- Injuries, tactics and keys: Visit to KC presents tactical adjustment needs
- Squad limits force de Almeida, Estridge decision; full back situation even brighter
- Estridge signs, de Almeida released in full back shuffle
- Pre-match hype for Sporting KC match threatens to implode; tackling and "intent"
- Tactics see Gil-led RSL with season-high tackles against Colorado
- Early season stats show Beckerman fouls, Espindola shots, Rimando saves
- RSL Reserves downed 1-0 by Rapids' misplaced revenge effort
- First step to cup retention complete as RSL smashes Rapids in 2-0 victory
- The Rocky Mountain Cup
- Debate: Does the Rocky Mountain Cup still matter?
- Rocky Mountain Cup retention effort to kick off as in-form Rapids visit
- Training notes: Sebby Velasquez, Chris Estridge, J. Kreis and the Bommadog
- Player of the Month, March 2012
- Draining win over Montreal still worth three points, despite frustrations
- Match Preview: RSL set to rotate ahead of visit from Montreal Impact
- Salt Lake still buzzing after exciting win over Portland
- Three-man backline, inverted midfielders mark tactical victory over Timbers
- RSL grab legendary 3-2 win over Portland with two last-gasp goals
March
- DEBATE: Atmosphere, Chants and More
- Match Preview: Portland visit presents opportunity for RSL to recover form
- Atmosphere, final reactions to the Chivas loss, and some Friday rambling
- Lagerwey discusses RSL and more; fan fears for future a bit premature
- Injuries dissipate as Nat Borchers, Will Johnson close in on return
- Tony Beltran, cool as a cucumber, picks RSL style over panic
- Olave Says No!
- Soccer By Numbers: Excellent defensive passing a symptom of deep Chivas line
- Match Report: Chivas USA grabs fortunate 1-0 win at the Riot
- Match Preview: RSL looking to continue good run of form with win against Chivas
- Training notes: Injuries, depth, Enzo and more!
- Olé, olé, olé, olé
- Guest Post: Making big markets look silly since '05
- Rimando: Super Nick Rimando
- Salt Lake Till I Die
- We Love You Salt Lake
- Believe
- Espindola: Fabian Espindola (La Donna e' Mobile)
- Fabian Scored a Goal (Kumbaya)
- Fabian Espindola, striker and samurai, on cusp of goalscoring record
- Promising young Nico scores for reserves; Supporters March video
- "Believe" outstrips other MLS anthem attempts; RSL atmosphere on the rise
- Defense keeps New York at bay; big team blame games ignore RSL strength
- RSL runs rampant in home opener; smashes Red Bulls in 2-0 victory
- Match Preview: RSL readies for NYRB in The Riot to open home season
- Notes and thoughts from practice as RSL gear up for first home match
- Kara, Jeremy, and Section 26
- Injury Round-up: Recoveries in full force as home opener looms
- News Roundup: Olave, Yalvarez join Twitter, Beltran out, Borchers returning
- News, Review, and a March to the Match
- RSL victorious over defending champions: Stats and Numbers
- RSL defeats defending champions LA Galaxy 3-1 in MLS opener: What. A. Win.
- “Came to Score”
- March 10, 2012
- Match Preview: Season finally underway as RSL ready attack on Galaxy
- Strength in Depth, 2012: The Front Lines
- Strength in Depth, 2012: The Midfield
- Strength in Depth, 2012: Defenders
- Some needless speculation; Will Johnson closes in on return
- March roars in like Leo the Lion: T-5 days and counting
- Match Report: Midfield rotation defines 1-0 RSL win over NYRB
- Match Preview: RSL v. NYRB (3rd Place), Desert Diamond Cup
- As the roster finalizes, draftees given a chance to shine
- Match Report: Revs run riot on young RSL defense
February
- Leap Day Match Preview: RSL v. New England, Desert Diamond Cup
- Seven Deadly Things to look out for in 2012
- Season coming into focus: a very early first kick lineup prediction
- Match Report: Nine-man RSL falls to Galaxy in Desert Diamond Cup
- Match Preview: RSL v. LA Galaxy, Desert Diamond Cup
- Clouds start to clear on roster as Jonny Steele signs with RSL
- RSL victorious over NYRB in Desert Diamond Cup opener
- Match Preview: RSL v. NYRB, Desert Diamond Cup
- Toia and Agorsor released; MLS academy shifts demand rule changes
- The Open House
- Notes: The Team, Le Toux, The Club, and DPs
January
- The New Kit, The Trialists, and More
- Unpacking Lagerwey's comments reveals tactical, personnel thoughts
- Draftees an unknown quantity in season plans
- MLS Superdraft 2012: Claret and Cobalt look to bolster squad
- Waiting It Out
- Ned Grabavoy inks contract, young GK Lalo Fernandez signs
- Big dates in 2012: A preview, of sorts
- 4-4-2, 4-3-3: What does it matter?
- Signings still to come, anxiety builds