Two second divisions, is it better than none
by denz on Feb 8, 2010 5:05 PM MST
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The ongoing issues between the NASL and the USL required that US Soccer step in and resolve enough issues to get both sides to play as "conferences" of a US Soccer run 2nd divsion for the 2010 season.
The NASL has 9 teams (Carolina RailHawks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC, NSC Minnesota Stars, Montreal Impact, Rochester Rhinos, AC St. Louis, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.) and the USL has 3 teams (Austin Aztexs, Portland Timbers, and Puerto Rico Islanders).
Each team will play a 30 match schedule with 15 at home and 15 away, to see a complete schedule click here. Since the two groups are unbalanced they will be broken into 6 team conferences. The NASL Conference will feature:
- Carolina RailHawks
- Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Miami FC
- Montreal Impact
- AC St. Louis
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
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MLS five a side takes a look at RSL (click here)
a good article by Steve Davis taking a look at how RSL is changing up their preseason and getting ready to defend the MLS Cup.
about 2 hours ago
denz
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Time for a little competition with RSL head coach Jason Kreis
by denz on Feb 8, 2010 11:04 AM MST
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OK, it seems that Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis is trying to add to this facebook fans, he has just over 300 despite being at it for over 3 months. He is dangling some type of prize to people who help him get more fans, not sure what it is, but I think his effort smells too much like a competition too me.
So I am going to ask you who read my blog and have facebook accounts to become a fan of my blog's facebook page and see if we can beat his total number of fans by Feb. 19th. Now he is about 200 ahead of me, but my page has only been up a week vs. several months.
and I am willing to dangle a bit of a prize as well, anyone who becomes a fan of mine will be entered into a drawing for an team signed "Fan for Life" long sleeve t-shirt. If we beat Jason's total, then I will ante up another prize to be given away to one of my fans via random drawing. For those who don't know I do have a great collection of RSL memoribillia and a good deal of it is autographed, so don't miss out on your chance and become fan today.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
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How technology issues almost killed my Nick Rimando Interview
by denz on Feb 8, 2010 10:21 AM MST
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So as Real Salt Lake gets ready to officially open their pre-season camp this week to shake of the rust of a couple months away from action, that has impacted me as well as my little audio recorder failed me as I sat down to talk with the MLS Cup MVP Nick Rimando.
Nick will join Kyle Beckerman and Robbie Findley in another two week USMNT camp later this week as the team preps for a Feb. 24th matchup with El Salvador. The US roster will feature all MLS players and could be the last chance for guys whose World Cup dreams for 2010 are sitting on the fence.
I asked Nick about the crazy off season, or for him really the lack of a off season, between being the MLS Cup MVP just a few days before thanksgiving, to the launch of his blog and clothing line, both named "Nick is my Homeboy" an homage to the sign that hung in the south end stands of RIo Tinto for the last half of the season. That would be enough for most folks, but Nick was in high demand and was showing up all over the Salt Lake valley to make appearances and meet his many fans.
More after the jump
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A little NFL update
by denz on Feb 7, 2010 9:29 PM MST
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I do enjoy the NFL to fill out weekends when MLS is offseason and after the mornings filled with EPL and other European football action. I have been a Colt's fans for well over a decade and think they are one of the most consistent teams ever in professional sports.
Today it was hard to be a Colt's fan, as the story of Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints is simply so compelling. I found myself torn between my team and the greater good as the pregame show featured a great segment on how Drew came to become a Saint.
Rejected by the Chargers as he was injured and out of contract, it was a trip around New Orleans with Saints head coach Sean Payton that changed his life and quite simply made it hard to cheer against him. If there had to be a matchup of two great quarterbacks, I can't think of two better than Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Incredible athletes, and so much more off the field, in a day and age when the actions of so many pro football players are headlines of criminal acts, these guys are the poster children for the quality players and people in the NFL.
Congratulations to Drew and the New Orleans Saints on winning Super Bowl XLIV.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
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Real Salt Lake crowns a champion
by denz on Feb 7, 2010 8:56 PM MST
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Over 100 people stated the day to prove they were the best at FIFA 10, and claim the title Champion and two season tickets to watch Real Salt Lake defend their 2009 MLS Cup Championship. In the end it was two friends who would face off to see who was the best.
Jeff Gardner was in the role of mentor, while Nicolas Duncan was the student, Jeff would use the French National team, while Nicolas would use club side Arsenal from the English Premier League. Nicolas was the first to score but Jeff answered back to even the score at 1-1, but then Nicolas found the back of the net one more time and in the end send France and Jeff packing as the final whistle blew in the game and Nicolas was the 2-1 winner.
So while I didn't play in the tournament, no time for video games for me, it appears I wasn't the only non-player interested in both the action taking place on all the TV's in the Budweiser Club Real at Rio Tinto Stadium as over 120 people paid the $5 fee to stop by and catch all the action.
Of course not all the action was on the TV's as several RSL players were there to play but all the RSL players where there to spend time with the fans. More pictures and info after the jump:
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Real Salt Lake hosts a FIFA 10 tournamet
by denz on Feb 6, 2010 3:41 PM MST
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So what are RSL fans supposed to do in the offseason? Well today they play in a FIFA 10 video game tournament, a tourney that included fans, players and even some staff members. It was a great crowd of not only those playing but a number of fans showed up to watch the action as well. In all about 250 fans showed up in all and not only was it a great time for the players, there were some season tickets sold and over 100 tickets for the first match sold as well.
I really believe events like this give fans a great chance to meet the players they cheer for on a personal basis and that is part of RSL's "Fan for Life" campaign.
The action is still going on, but I will get you the info on who wins the tournament and a pair of season tickets for the 2010 RSL season.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
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Real Salt Lake's 2010 schedule does them no favors
by denz on Feb 6, 2010 12:46 PM MST
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Well there are some things I really like about the 2010 RSL schedule and of course some things I don't like (would you expect it any other way?).
First up, I love that RSL doesn't have any 3 match road trips, not once in 2010 will RSL more than 2 straight road matches in MLS action. Next up, only one 3 MLS matches in a 7 day time period. RSL will face KC on the 7th of August on the road, then face Phily on the 11th, also on the road and then return home ofr a match on the 14th of Auguset as they face the Crew.
I do worry a bit when I see that 4 of our first 5 matches are on the road, but ending the year strongly away from Rio Tinto, I hope that we will get a couple early results. There is a silver lining to the cloud as each year RSL's first road win has come at the HDC against either LA or Chivas and unlike past years when those matches may not come until June, or even as late as August, both matches we will play there take place before Memorial Day as we face the Galaxy on April 17th. That date is huge as it is very likely that neither Landycakes or Golden Balls will be back playing MLS but still be kicking the ball around Europe.
More after the jump:
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