You better believe it's going to be like this on Saturday night in Sandy. (photo: Getty Images)
OTF Editor Scott Fenwick and two special guests bring you lowdown on what's going on in Fireland and what to expect from the Kings of Utah...
The last time "Red Alert" was sounded in Bridgeview, it was to rally the Fire faithful to Toyota Park for a playoff match last October – one the team ultimately lost after a perplexing downward spiral.
Happy Thursday, ladies and gentlemen. Today's edition of Freedom Kicks leads with more of what you've come to expect from D.C. United employees and their club website.
Previous matches provide building blocks | D.C. United
"With the right mentality and the right intensity, we can build.
Hello and welcome to the Soccer by Ives Fantasy Corner – now greedier than ever! Every week I dig through statistics, news and rumors to provide the reader with the kind of fantasy advice that $100,000,000 can buy.
Exciting news for Red Bull fans this week: In order to alleviate the problems with the overcrowded stadium and exorbitant secondary ticket market prices, MLS announced the addition of a second New York team.
No Robbie Keane. No Landon Donovan. No problem for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Bruce Arena's side was missing its two designated players, as well as regular starters Carlo Cudicini and Todd Dunivant, but it didn't seem to matter as the reserve players deputized on Saturday stepped up and helped deliver an impressive victory that keeps the champions rolling toward the top of the Western Conference.
The Colorado Rapids are the only MLS franchise with multiple players named to the most recent U.S. U-20 Men's National Team roster with Shane O'Neill and Dillon Serna being named to Tab Ramos' squad for the Toulon Tournament. While the tournament runs from May 28 through June 8, O'Neill will stay with the club for its June 1 match with FC Dallasbefore flying to France.
The Real Salt Lake team that won the 2009 MLS Cup and put together a run of some of the most attractive soccer in league history has been dismantled, but the efforts of several members of that team provided a reminder of just how good that RSL team was.
Four current and former members of the 2009 MLS Cup-winning RSL team made SBI MLS Team of the Week for Week 12.
In this episode Luke Lohr and Pedro Gomes to sit down and examine the impact that the 20th MLS team will have on the NASL's New York Cosmos, the results of the Open Cup and where each league stands in the tournament. Josh Hakala of TheCup.us steps in to shed light on the Open Cup's best talking points and Garth Lagerwey, General Manager of Real Salt Lake, joins to talk about the possibility of an RSL branded team competing in USL PRO.
Ned Grabavoy proved to be the unlikely hero for Real Salt Lake on Sunday night.
The 30-year-old midfielder scored two goals, his first finishes since October 16, 2010, to lead RSL to a 4-1 rout over Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. In between Grabavoy's strikes were goals from RSL midfielder Joao Plata and forward Robbie Findley, while Chivas USA midfielder Jorge Villafaña scored for the Goats.
The good times have apparently evaporated for Chivas USA.
The team's 3-1-1 start back in March seems to be a distant memory, and Real Salt Lake further rammed that point home on Sunday night at the Home Depot Center, as Ned Grabavoy's brace along with goals from Robbie Findley and Joao Plata paced RSL to a 4-1 road win over Chivas USA.
Two of the league's best face off on Sunday as the Los Angeles Galaxy visit the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.
In the only meeting between the two clubs, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane look to build off their terrific performances last Wednesday in a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
On Wednesday, May 15, Robbie Russell announced he is retiring from soccer and will enroll in Georgetown University's Post-baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program. Listen to the veteran defender discuss his plans for life after MLS.
RELATED: Read Steven Goff's article on Russell's retirement
Sandy, UT Real Salt Lake have been bolstered this week by the return of some key players who were missing due to injury.
Both forward Alvaro Saborio and defender Nat Borchers were full participants in training on Wednesday, opening speculation as to whether or not they will feature this Sunday against Chivas USA.
Walker Zimmerman made his first appearance for FC Dallas Saturday, 113 days after being selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. The Furman product came on as a late sub in the club's 2-1 victory over DC United.
The centerback had sustained a groin injury in the preseason and his recovery had taken longer than originally expected.
The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee was busy this week handing out suspensions to four different players around the league.
The Committee announced on Wednesday one-match suspensions to Chivas USA defender Mario de Luna, Vancouver Whitecaps defender Johnny Leveron, Colorado Rapids forward Edson Buddle, and Real Salt Lake defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe.
The New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls drew 1-1 tonight in front of 16,440 rain-soaked fans at Gillette, Diego Fagundez with the Revs goal and Lloyd Sam with the Red Bulls goal. The draw leaves New England with a record of 2-4-4 for 10 points and New York at 6-4-2 for 21 points.
After Wednesday's disappointing home lose to Real Salt Lake, Revs coach made a couple of changes bringing in Cisse and Imbongo in their familiar 4-1-4-1 formation.
In a back-and-forth match that saw Matteo Ferrari play both the goat and the hero, the Montreal Impact were able to dig a little deeper and scored twice in the final ten minutes to secure the 3-2 win against RSL.
After deflecting a Lovel Palmer strike up and over goalkeeper Troy Perkins into the back of the net in just the 7th minute of the match, Ferrari found himself with one last chance to put his earlier blunder behind him.
When Matt Pickens fractured his arm in a mid-March match against Real Salt Lake, no one would have imagined the 31-year-old might lose his starting job while recovering. But his replacement, Clint Irwin, might not relinquish the spot after an exceptional run that has seen him shut out opponents in three of his last five matches.
The New England Revolution could not hold onto a 1-0 lead and coughed up two late goals in losing to Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Gillette in front of 8,040 fans. The Revs got a phantom penalty call in the 90th minute, but Saer Sene missed with what is one of the worst penalties you will ever see.
For long periods of the game, New England controlled the game.
The Pitch Pass goalkeeper trend continues when Colorado Rapids 'keeper Clint Irwin joins the show to discuss his career and the current season. In the second segment, TV soccer analyst Brian Dunseth calls in to go around the league.
Follow @ClintIrwin on Twitter | Follow @OriginalWinger on Twitter
Sandy, UT Real Salt Lake was hurting for some goals.
Star forward Alvaro Saborio is out with a quadriceps strain. His replacements, Robbie Findley and Olmes Garcia, were both questionable heading into the match, forcing manager Jason Kreis to play two newcomers in Joao Plata and Devon Sandoval up top
Kreis' gamble paid off as Plata lead RSL to a 2-0 victory over the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
One of the bright spots for the LA Galaxy this season has been the play of 18-year-old Jack McBean, who has played in all seven league matches so far this season. But McBean's season has been derailed after suffering a broken collar bone in a collision with Real Salt Lake centerback Nat Borchers.
Real Salt Lake and U.S. National Team goalkeeper Nick Rimando joins the show to talk music, soccer, and more. In the second segment, Portland play-by-play man John Strong checks in to discuss Timbers and MLS.
Nick Rimando is enjoying his time in Utah and talks candidaly about life in Salt Lake and the possibilty of his wife, Jacqui, returning to her playing days.
Real Salt Lake learned the hard way last Saturday what it is like to play without forward Alvaro Saborio. Now, it looks like they'll have to get used to him being on the sidelines.
According to a report out of Salt Lake City, Saborio is likely to miss "several weeks" as per quotes from RSL manager Jason Kreis.
Yeah, so... What to do about these guys? (image: realsaltlake.com)
OTF's Stephen Mangat takes you on a one-post mission to learn about Real Salt Lake...
For Fire fans looking for positives going into this weekend's game in Salt Lake City, know that Rio Tinto Stadium isn't an impenetrable fortress (just like SLC's many child-having Mormons hey oh!
As you'd likely guess, there's a lot going on here that is beyond me. That's not to say I would call the coach's selection is poor - but it's definitely begging a few questions. G - Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)D - DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting KC)
And there it is. Jurgen Klinsmann going wide and expansive with his camp roster next week. The roster dominated by the return of golden boy Stu Holden and no place for Steve Cherundolo (or Carlos Bocanegra).
GOALKEEPERS (6) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.
Ryan Guy celebrates his goal. (Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Ryan Guy gave the New England Revolution a second half lead, but Real Salt Lake stormed back with goals from Devon Sandoval and Olmes Garcia to steal a 2-1 victory from Gillette Stadium in front of 8,040 on Wednesday night.
The gang flies off the rails again in the openingsegmentdiscussing everything other than soccer. They eventually discussexpansionin MLS and a read another Sanderson email. Correspondents include: New York, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Dallas, Salt Lake, San Jose, LA
Our home team may have been off this week, but there's still a lot to get into in Fantasy Focus. First, we simultaneously recognize the overall and weekly leader, Stallions FC, who scored 94 points and rose to first place overall with a total of 682 points. Graham Zusi (SKC, $10.3M) captained the team and earned 28 points.
Ryan Guy scored the Revolution's lone goal on Wednesday. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)
Despite a good effort, the New England Revolution lost to a smart Real Salt Lake team last night 2 to 1. As Jeff Causey said, RSL went into the game playing for a point but came out with three.
The veteran Real Salt Lake goalkeeper saved yet another penalty kick, his MLS career-leading 19th penalty kick save, to protect a lead in the final minutes of a 2-1 RSL comeback victory at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday night.
Minnesota United FC claimed top of the table on Saturday despite drawing 2-2 against the Carolina RailHawks, which saw United lose a 2-1 lead late in the game.
RailHawks' Jordan Graye opened up the deadlock, heading-in a high cross in the 40th minute.
Contrary to popular belief, this is NOT a picture of Rio Tinto stadium.
This weekend, the Fire visit a Salty team in a Sandy place. OTF's Ricardo Ortiz gives you a little taste of that and a glimpse into the inner workings of a very secretive institution...
This week I've decided to give you sheeple a special treat and offer you insight into the inner workings of the world's one and only Major League Soccer column dedicated to heaping nothing but contempt and ire upon Chicago Fire's opponents: Trash Talk Fridays.
We're back with Alicia from The Goat Parade to talk about the latest home result against Real Salt Lake, player movements, El Chelis, andrumorsof our demise. Orale.
US Soccer has released the potential match-ups for the third round of the 2013 US Open Cup tournament after coin flips this morning to determine the pairings. The Fire will play the winner of the match between the Seattle Sounders U-23 (PDL) team and the Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro). That game will be played on May 21 in Charlotte.
SANDY, Utah- Real Salt Lake will be focused from the opening whistle when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps at Rio Tinto Stadium this Saturday. After coming out flat against the LA Galaxy and conceding two goals in the first 13 minutes, RSL is ready to put that game behind them and move forward.
"How much are you gonna spend on a ticket son?" "Not enough" (Photo courtesy: MLSReserves.com)
Alex Olshansky with Part I of II on assessing franchise value in MLS(Twitter) (Blog)
Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen recently stated in a Salt Lake Tribune profile of him: "One thing that's black and white: I will never make money running this.
