What and Who to Blame for CCL Loss
by SaltLakeKiddy on Apr 28, 2011 11:53 AM MDT
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PrintI, like many sports fans, can't just call a loss a loss. No, I need someone or some thing to look at and say "this is the reason, this is why we aren't champions". So I need to write this, I need to put some blame somewhere. I realize I'm focusing on the negative, no need to point that out. I've got plenty of positive things to say, but none of that does much to help me get over the loss. So follow through the jump and watch me point fingers, hopefully it makes us all feel a little better.
Who and what to blame, in no particular order.
1. The media for making us the flag bearers of our league and country. Its hard enough for an athlete to win something for himself, his team, and his fans. I think it was an unfair burden, and I'll start by being pissed off that our team was so willing to accept that weight. Shame on the Don and everyone else trying to cash in on the success that belonged solely to the Salt Lake organization.
2. Expending all of our energy so early, hoping to get a goal was a bad bet. I'm not sure if I wouldn't have taken the same gamble, but in 20/20 hindsight it seems a really poor decision. You don't walk into vegas with a hundred bucks and put $95 on your first hand of blackjack. You just don't do it. Those rare times you win it is great, but usually it goes more like last night and you end up trying to get through the rest of the night on a $5 spot.
3. After being exhausted after 30 minutes, the team really didn't have any other choice but to try to defend. I'm not happy that it was our only option though. It goes back to the disparity in payrolls of the two teams, and I don't blame RSL for having slower players at every position. Even so, trying to defend for 60 minutes against a team that is better than you reeked of John Ellinger. I hope this is the last hard lesson Jason will have to learn for a long time.
4. Arturo Alvarez was awful. He just wasn't what we needed. I felt this way when we acquired him as well. He is a player that just doesn't fit into our diamond midfield. He tried to do much and I think it was a bad sub. Again with 20/20 hindsight.
5. Alvaro Saborio. I'm not going to blame the championship loss on him. This is more related to RSL at large than it is to our losing last night. He has to come back from his Costa Rican vacation. After going to play with his national team, seeing family and friends, and playing at the purple monster, he just hasn't brought his head back this team. I don't think the problems in his head are the same ones Findley had last year. It is something different, I don't know what it is, but it needs to be addressed.
So for anyone that wanted some place to lay blame, those are you best options. I don't like to be negative, this is just part of the grieving process for me.
Salt Lake 'til I Die.
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1. The media for making us the flag bearers of our league and country. Its hard enough for an athlete to win something for himself, his team, and his fans. I think it was an unfair burden, and I’ll start by being pissed off that our team was so willing to accept that weight. Shame on the Don and everyone else trying to cash in on the success that belonged solely to the Salt Lake organization.
See, the Rapids fans ignoring the #MLS4RSL thing were secretly your allies all along! Really though, Salt Lake as a team, city and fanbase probably shouldn’t have embraced (and manufactured in some cases!) the attention if you’re going to blame it for the loss afterward.
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Burgundy Wave - SBnation's Colorado Rapids site
Crystal Palace FC - Eternally a point from relegation (._. )
I totally agree.
I was guilty of promoting/embracing it.
Bad decision on my part, started regretting it heavily as it snowballed over the last week.
by SaltLakeKiddy on Apr 28, 2011 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions
Other reasons RSL lost
Your strikers all played poorly, Monterrey are a pretty good team, Jamison Olave, despite being brilliant for 89 minutes, totally quit on the goal.
Just my thoughts
I think there was a ton of pressure on the players, but knowing that they had the support of so many of their friends around the league was huge for them. Yes when some put the future of the league on your shoulders it can be a bit much to bear, when your GM says it is a “Lake Placid moment”, it puts pressure on you.
I think guys gave their all, but the reality on the night it was Monterrey got the goal they needed to win, RSL had more chances and more quality chances but failed to finish.
I hate losing any match, but the reality of the run that RSL made puts just as much pressure on all other MLS teams who get into CCL to match their results.
This is ridiculous.
1. The media for making us the flag bearers of our league and country. Its hard enough for an athlete to win something for himself, his team, and his fans. I think it was an unfair burden, and I’ll start by being pissed off that our team was so willing to accept that weight. Shame on the Don and everyone else trying to cash in on the success that belonged solely to the Salt Lake organization.
So, what you’re saying is that the next time my favorite team loses a big game, I can place blame on the fans and city for putting too much pressure on them? Both teams are under pressure. If one team is unable to handle the pressure adequately, then it deserves to lose. The end. There’s no crying in sports.
This isn’t a case of a parent threatening a child into performing well in his little league game. These guys get paid to win with people watching. If MLS’ best team wilts under a spotlight that’s too bright, then maybe MLS still has a ways to go. No shame in that. It is what it is.
You're number 1 makes it seem like you are ashamed of your team.
Don’t be! They fought hard against a quality opponent. Sometimes guys have bad days, sometimes you don’t get the breaks and you can’t hit the target. This was a 3-2 aggregate not 5-0 or 7-1.
As was said in another thread, the bar has now been set. More MLS teams will compete for this title and there will now be more ways for teams to have a successful season thus raising the profile of the game.
The media, the league and (most importantly) the sponsors will pay more attention and apply more pressure for success. That’s a good thing.
Captain, there are doubt's...
"It’s a good opportunity to show we have the strength to respond" - Arsene Wenger, 2011
Not at all ashamed of my team.
Very proud of how far they got.
I just don’t think their best was good enough.
Tough pill to swallow.
After reading Jason’s open letter to fans I feel much better about the whole thing. I’m very glad they aren’t trying to grasp at a moral victory and realize it was an opportunity lost. Will be interesting to see if we can get over the emotional hangover on Saturday.
When Paulo came into the game, Sabo should of came out. Sabo hasn’t been up to his “form” for a few games now and it was getting obvious that it wasn’t going to happen for the game. Get him off the pitch and let Paulo, Javi, Espindola and Will get the job done.
Not blaming the coaching staff for the lost, or even Sabo. Just when somebody isn’t mentally fit, it hurts the team.
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