25
Aug
08
XanGo Soccer Fan
tags: XanGo Soccer
Effectiveness after 21 league matches
shots taken: 290
goals scored: 25
target percentage: 10%
actual percentage: 8.62%
difference: -1.38%
shots allowed: 245
goals allowed: 27
target pecentage: 8.61%
actual percentage: 11.02%
difference: -2.41%
With Real Salt Lake tasting quite a lot of their own medicine over the last few road games, let’s hope they kept enough to give the Colorado Rapids a healthy dose of it this Friday. They’re still in 2nd place, and this Rocky Mountain Cup match represents one of their better opportunities to add to their point total. At this point, every home game is critical.
21
Aug
08
XanGo Soccer Fan
tags: XanGo Soccer
As I looked at the standings today, I noticed something very beautiful: every team has now played the same number (20) of matches. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like it has been a long, long while since that has been the case. I like it.
This resetting of the season gives us a great look at where the teams of the MLS really stand—and 2nd place in the West behind an impressive-as-of-late Dynamo team is not disappointing for our RSL squad. Our fate rests squarely in our hands now. With no games in hand, no team can sneak up on us.
And it looks like, for the most part, the match jumble is over. By Monday next week, every team will have played their 21st game, giving us an even finer view of our (and everyone’s) place in this league. It will be a pretty sraight-up race to the playoffs from here on out.
Since we’re entering the best part of the season, I’m betting these last 10 games get played at a new level. That—combined with the 23 days that have already passed since Real Salt Lake last played a home game (another week to go)—has me pretty hungry for the impending playoff push.
Week 21 begins tonight with the Galaxy fighting the Fire in LA. With a win, the Gals could match our 27 points, but even if that happens, we have our opportunity to pick up more points against Columbus this Saturday. No one can catch us if we don’t let them.
Do your best to catch this final third of the season. Get out and support the team however you can. RSL fans in Ohio, that means you.
18
Aug
08
XanGo Soccer Fan
tags: XanGo Soccer
Our 20th league match of the 2008 season proved to be the end of a 35-day reign atop the West. Down in sweltering Houston, we obviously missed our defensive forcefield—Olave (suspended)—and Real Salt Lake came up a goal short, losing with a scoreline of 3-4.
Now we sit in the two spot, grateful that Colum-yellow-school-bus took care of Dallas, and look to keep up the scoring while shoring the back line up with the reintroduction of Jamison Olave. It’s not an easy road that looks back at us though. Next game it’s our turn to visit Columbus, who are the newly-crowned #1 team in the league. On a positive note, the last time we played the Crew, we scored two goals and became the West’s best for the first time ever. Here’s hoping…
Shooting a sweet 25%, but allowing the exact same rate, here are our season numbers after Saturday’s loss:
goals scored: 25
shots taken: 278
finishing touch: 8.99%
min. requirement: 10%
difference: -1.01%
goals allowed: 24
shots allowed: 237
finishing touch: 10.12%
max. limit: 8.98%
difference: -1.14%
8
Aug
08
XanGo Soccer Fan
tags: XanGo Soccer
On a nice summer’s day in July, Robbie Findley and Nick (herein referred to as Nicky) Rimando consented to stick around after their practice at XanGo Soccer Field. While they showed our Founder & Board Member Gordon Morton a few tricks of their trade, we filmed the action. Here’s the result:
(WATCH IT BIG on XANGO TV)
Once you’ve met these guys, it’s hard to deny that they obviously deserve the good season they’re having.
5
Aug
08
XanGo Soccer Fan
tags: XanGo Soccer
I snapped a couple photos of our team’s coveted and near-complete stadium last week. It’s a glorious sight worth sharing. It goes without saying that I won’t miss Rice-Eccles.
For more photos you can always go to rslstadium.com (I recommend).