a game just as difficult as going on the road to most places.
So having that tough a schedule, RSL cannot afford to stop and smell the roses. They've got to keep on pushing and playing well, right down to the last minute of the last game.
Saturday night they didn't play well. Allow me to qualify that: RSL didn't play as well as they have recently, but Dallas was absolutely fabulous for the majority of the game. FCD put on an unbelievable display of soccer in the first half -- as good a half of soccer as there has been played in the league all year -- including many of those by D.C. United.
The Hoops' spacing and angles of support in the attack were perfect and RSL didn't do a good job of taking away space in the middle of the field. In the early part of the game, Dallas was able to establish such rhythm and confidence that they were able to pick RSL apart and create a number of dangerous attacks. Dallas simply kept possession and was able to have RSL midfielders and defenders step out of defensive positions in order to try to pressure the ball. As soon as an RSL defender stepped, Dallas played in behind him, immediately threatening from various positions. It was a clinic for any soccer enthusiast as to how to break down a team and exploit any openings that were presented.
For Dallas, the challenge will be to play to this standard week in and week out. If they play that way, they could go deep into the playoffs. For RSL, they've seen the standard to which they have to aspire. While the two teams are made up of different personnel, the message is the same: control the ball, control the midfield and you'll control the game.
When RSL have played well, they've defended compactly and been tighter. Offensively, they've put together more passes, instead of launching it forward in hopes of the fleet-footed Jeff Cunningham being able to make something of nothing.
With Cunningham in the lineup, I understand that it is most tempting to keep firing balls over the top. With his speed and one-on-one ability, Cunningham is the one player in the league who can create something out of nothing, even with several defenders around. Even if the team is playing poorly, it just takes one ball in the vicinity of Cunningham, a momentary lapse in judgment by a defender, and he will score.
The problem is that for every ball that he gets in a dangerous position, RSL loses nine balls through playing hopeful balls forward and the team just has to defend too much. Possession is going to allow the team to move up the field together and allow people the opportunity to rest. If or when the ball is lost, the whole team is close together and is able to apply pressure and win it back.
Everyone likes to talk about a team's offense and their defense. The truth is that they are forever linked, and when RSL is at their best, they flow from one to the other seamlessly.
As the playoffs approach, teams start to get sharper and more efficient. RSL must do the same in order to take advantage of the wonderful late-season run that they've had.
They've done a good job, but the job is far from over.
Robin Fraser, a five-time MLS Best XI selection and two-time MLS Defender of the Year, ended his 10-year MLS career and 16-year professional career last October, and now begins his first season with RSL as the team's color television analyst. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Fraser amassed 27 caps for the U.S. National Team and was drafted fourth overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the inaugural MLS draft.
Comments? E-mail Robin and the entire RSL broadcast crew at fun@realsaltlake.com, and your e-mail could be featured in the Computech "Fan Feedback" feature on all RSL on KSL and FSN Utah broadcasts, as well as on KALL 700 AM.
