Freddy, Mehdi, Jason, Jeff, Chris and Carey were still applying plenty of pressure on the Crew defense.
2. Is just a straight swap enough or are multiple changes needed? What player on RSL's bench was going to change the game?
3. In a 0-0 tie game, is this change going to be an offensive or defensive substitution, because even though we are at home, we did give up a goal in the 94+ minute in the last game. What happens if it backfires and we lose 0-1? RSL had the Crew on its heels for the last 20 minutes, and had Ellinger received five minutes of added time, RSL might've done to Columbus what Dallas did last week!
4. Would 1 point be better than 0? Always -- simple math!
5. Will this new player find the rhythm needed to enter the game 75+ minutes in and make the desired impact? As stated, the rhythm of the game for RSL was good, and getting better -- no need to change that!
6. Do I have a player on my bench that is capable of all this or are the players on the field, even though they might be a little fatigued, still a better option? In a different game, the bench -- Atiba, Andy, Chris Brown, et al. -- could have impacted change; however, on Saturday, the starting 11 were in rhythm.
Remember that just because Crew Head Coach Sigi Schmid decided to use all three substitutions, his weren't all tactical. Altitude and turf were just two of the many reasons he made the switches. Were his substitutions effective? Did they win the match? A 0-0 tie on the road. Not the best result, but a result none the less.
Brian's Brain: After watching the clinic of speed and finishing that the Wizards' Eddie Johnson, Scott Sealy and Davey Arnaud put on in the Capitol against D.C. United Saturday night, I've got to admit that I might have to change my tune when it comes to Kansas City. New head coach Curt Onalfo, the former U.S. National Team assistant, has this bunch prepared and when it comes to the Lamar Hunt Open Cup, it's lose and you're done.
Let's see how RSL handles them on Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m. MT at Rice-Eccles.
Brian Dunseth, the former Captain of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team, who scored the game-winning goal in Real Salt Lake's first-ever win in its home opener in 2005 vs. rival Colorado, can be heard each week on KALL 700 AM the Zone, providing analysis during RSL game broadcasts and co-hosting the pre- and post-game shows for RSL home games. A nine-year veteran of MLS play, Dunseth is now a licensed realtor for The Bringhurst Group in Salt Lake City, and looks forward to your feedback at brian@slchouses.com.
