Bombs Away!

In MLS action last night, Real Salt Lake was absolutely annihilated by D.C. United, 5-1. The scoreline isn't quite an accurate reflection of the game, but it is an accurate reflection of Salt Lake's defensive woes. If you take a look at the highlights, you'll notice that Salt Lake does not have a cohesive defensive unit (the Adu and Walker goals were appalling defensively), and were it not for some heroics by Eddie Pope, this game could have easily been 7-1 (although, it must be said that were it not for Pope's inability to miss a sitter early on, it might've been a completely different game).

Salt Lake's problems though, aren't as deep as many may think, and there is some silver lining to all of this (although coach John Ellinger might not think so right now, just look at his reaction after Kenny Cutler was sent off last night). First, if Gustavo Cabrera is a first-rate central defender, as Ellinger seems to think he is, it'll help considerably. However, it would be more helpful if Cabrera is a vocal organizer. I don't know if he speaks any English, but he needs to be a vocal leader, because teams that rely on Eddie Pope to do that have found out the hard way that that's not Eddie's strong suit (see, Metrostars). Second, this team needs a destroyer in central midfield. As of now, the team seems to be playing around their central midfield, but they should be maximizing Clint Mathis' touches. Instead, they're losing balls all over the midfield. Besagno, Salt Lake's first-round draft pick, is supposed to be this player, but he's still too young and too raw. Perhaps a trade for a Mastroeni or Armas is in order (next year)?

A line-up featuring a destroyer and a vocal central defender (assuming that that player is Cabrera), could be far more effective. Melvin Tarley proved last night that he's a great addition, and Real Salt Lake should make sure that his move becomes permanent at the end of the season. They might also want to look for a quality right back. Here's what their line-up would look like:

Goalkeeper: D.J. Countess
Right Back: New addition
Central Defenders: Gustavo Cabrera, Eddie Pope
Left Back: Paul Broome
Destroyer: New addition (Besagno?)
Attacking Midfielder: Clint Mathis
Right Midfielder: Andy Williams
Left Midfielder: Robert Scarlett
Forwards: Jason Kreis, Melvin Tarley

That could actually be an effective line-up with only two new additions. I don't suspect that Real Salt Lake will be highly competitive next year (not as much as Chivas will be anyway), but in two years, with the right additions next season and the year after, they could be a very potent line-up. Ellinger may have actually put this team on the right track, despite all the signs to the contrary now.

With the Salt Lake loss last night, the San Jose Earthquakes became the first team in MLS to clinch a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Bruce Arena delivers a message to the Euro-Snob US Men's National Team fans: It's time to "put up or shut up". Either support MLS and the US Men's National Team or don't support either, because, according to Arena, the two are intricately linked together. From the article:

"I think it's critical. If we want this sport to grow, if we want to truly position ourselves to one day win a World Cup, we need support from the people that follow soccer in the United States.''

Right on.

It's also nice to see that Eddie Johnson's ready to get back into action, even if he hasn't looked all that great with Dallas lately, he's critical to our success, not only on Saturday, but in the 2006 World Cup as well.