Blanco gets RSL again…here we go again…

Well, it’s the beautiful beginning of another season, and it seems like we celebrate it the same way every time. SURPRISE! We have up a goal in stoppage time and lost two points. However, this year I find comfort in our play before the goal. We controlled the game in the midfield and our defense shut down their front line (no matter who was put in there). The one thing that lacked seriously? The finishing. Just like I’ve mentioned in the past, RSL has serious issues with it’s front line. The problem was addressed by Garth Lagerway when we signed Scottish striker Kenny Deuchar, but I’m afraid, as evidenced by this game, that his signing still doesn’t fix it (although it does improve it). The finishing is the thing that will determine our season’s turnout, whether it be like the past three years, or a new tradition of winning. Time to look at the players:

•  Nick Rimando: Nick wasn’t tested very much last night, but I found that when the ball was coming into his general area, he was intently watching and positioning himself with the ball. It’s just too bad that the shot that scored came at the time it did, when Rimando couldn’t see.
• Chris Wingert: Despite some of my comments from last year, I actually really enjoy watching Chris Wingert play. His constant runs up the sideline are entertaining, and he actually has some great skill on the ball. It was his poor clearance that caused the goal, which is something that should never happen at this level.
• Matias Mantilla: Matias is just as solid, if not more solid, than he was last year. He’s not afraid to go after a ball, and his tenacity in his challenges often win him the ball.
• Nat Borchers: I thought Nat was really solid in his first game with RSL. His positioning ability is spectacular, and he’s not bad in the air either. Nice pickup.
• Ian Joy: I was really pleased with Ian’s performance today. His defensive stance (which I noticed on a defensive run forward) makes it nearly impossible for a player to get by. I thought he brought exactly what he needed to.
• Carey Talley: I still don’t think Carey deserves to be on the field. He didn’t play too badly, but I thought he lost the ball in times when he should have easily given it to a teammate.
• Andy Williams: Andy is the thing that keeps possession alive on this team. His vision of the field is fantastic, and his fancy footwork entertain everyone. I hope to see Andy get a lot more time this year.
• Kyle Beckerman: Beckers is the heart of the fight in RSL. He’s tenacious, which, combined with his skill level, makes him a player of the highest caliber.
• Javy Morales: Javy is a player very similar to Andy Williams. He’s our Number 10, and I think he will be for a couple more years. He’s just fun to watch and his attitude on the field is contagious. You can tell he enjoys his time on the field.
• Yura Movsisyan: Yura didn’t have the most spectacular game last night, but I thought he served his purpose. He’s not a target forward, as his size suggests, but he still is able to do well in a forward position. I loved his attempt on goal from the bicycle kick.
• Fabi Espindola: Fabi is a speedy forward with amazing moves. I think if he were paired with Dr. Goals, they would be a great combination of size and skill.

Subs:

• Dema Kovalenko: Dema made me laugh when he fouled a guy ten seconds after being subbed in, but that’s his hard-headed character. It was his cross that caused the own goal, and I think his offensive runs were very dangerous. He should start over Talley. 
• Robbie Findley: I thought Robbie’s speed brought a lot to the game. I didn’t see him get many chances, so I don’t know how his finishing would have been, but I thought he worked well with the midfield. When he first subbed in, Robbie seemed to be first touching everything, I think I’d rather see him take a guy on than find a player everytime he got the ball.
• Kenny (Dr. Goals) Deuchar: For the time he had on the field, I think Kenny showed a lot of the talent he has. He won every single ball in the air, and I think that he’ll be a valuable asset on corners. He wasn’t as clumsy as the Scottish BigSoccer posters made him out to be…

Overall, not a bad performance. I think the defense kept it’s shape throughout the entire game, even when Blanco took that ridiculous shot. Speaking of that shot, I don’t think there was much that could have been done to prevent it. The clearance from Wingert could have gone better, but the marking we had going was right for the play that was going on at that time. Blanco took that shot first-touch, so there was no time at all for a defender to get there, and Rimando had no chance at saving the perfect corner hit. The least I can do is applaud Blanco for the goal.