Goal.com, Switzerland
28/09/2008 08:10
MLS: RSL End San Jose’s Unbeaten Run
Two goals from young striker Yura Movsisyan and a freekick winner from
Javier Morales more than balance out Darren Huckerby’s brace and give
Real an unexpected three points on the road.
Is there a more twisting and unexpected race than the playoff race
shaping up in the Western Conference?
San Jose, winners of nine straight, put their streak on the line
against Real Salt Lake, who just had their very own home unbeaten
streak ended last week. With key playoff positioning at stake, these
two teams played a spirited, entertaining match featuring two goals
from both San Jose midfeilder Darren Huckeby and Salt Lake forward
Yura Movsisyan.
Ultimately, it was a well-placed free kick goal by Salt Lake’s Javier
Morales that would give RSL just its second road win all season and
precious late-season points.
1st Half
An entertaining first half began in a big way in the 3rd minute when
Yura Movsisyan scored from inside the penalty area off of a nice pass
from Javier Morales. The goal came so quickly that significant
portions of the San Jose crowd had not even found their seats. Down
1-0 before they had even entered, the crowd had a hard time getting
into the game and an alert RSL side controlled the play throughout the
first twenty minutes.
The momentum of the game changed, however, in the 23rd minute. Real,
victimized all season by long balls over the top of the defense,
suffered yet another miscommunication on a long ball. The back four,
seeing Arturo Alvarez in an offside position, did not react to Ryan
Cochrane’s pass, allowing an unmarked — and onside — Darren Huckerby
to sprint in and put the ball in the back of the net. It was the
Englishman’s fifth goal since joining the side in July, and the crowd,
finally seated, suddenly had a reason to become their rowdy boisterous
selves.
Riding the momentum, San Jose almost cashed in again 10 minutes
later. RSL defender Jamison Olave received a yellow card for a
dangerous takedown on Earthquake midfielder Ned Grabavoy just outside
the penalty box. Ronnie O’Brien took the free kick, and Trinidadian
international Scott Sealy knocked it home. However, the offside flag
was up and the goal nullified.
The Olave foul was emblematic of the physicality of the entire first
half. Real Salt Lake, perhaps sensing the playoff implications of this
match, played in a decidedly physical manner. This resulted in a high
number of first-half fouls, two yellow cards, and a couple chippy
shoving-matches between the two sides.
Movsisyan was a bright spot for RSL throughout the first half. Looking
dangerous on balls over the top, the 21-year-old had an excellent
chance just before the break. Busting through the defense, he drilled
a shot, but goalkeeper Joe Cannon was able to make the
save. Movsisyan, however, reached the rebound, but his follow up shot
was turned away by Cochrane.
San Jose then grabbed the momentum going into halftime by controlling
the play and almost getting the lead goal off of a Cochrane header
that sailed just high of the crossbar.
2nd Half
Deuces were wild for Huckerby, who scored his second goal of the match
in the second minute of the second half. The goal came as result of a
quick counter keyed by a quick pass from Alvarez. The former FC Dallas
midfielder found Huckerby who got around defender Nat Borchers and
beat goalkeeper Rimando with a screaming shot from the top of the
box. It looked to all the world like San Jose had taken firm control
of the match.
Movsisyan, however, would hear none of it. Two minutes later, he
answered for Real Salt Lake with one of the more athletic goals of the
2008 MLS season. Kyle Beckerman bounced an awkward pass toward the
Armenian, who gracefully controlled and flicked a right-footed shot by
Cannon. The equalizer, coming so quickly after the Huckerby goal
deflated both the Earthquakes and their fans and decisively swung the
momentum back to Salt Lake.
Ten minutes later, RSL midfielder Robbie Russell was fouled just
outside of the box. Javier Morales, signed to a contract extension
just this week, wasted no time to prove he was well worth the
investment. The Argentine bent the ball around the wall and into the
top near corner for his fifth goal of the year.
For Real Salt Lake, the physicality and aggressive fouling of the
first half had been replaced by hustle and grit. They used both to
maintain the possession and pace of the game over the final 20
minutes. Robbie Findley, the speedy young forward from Oregon State,
entered the game for Clint Mathis in the 70th minute. Buoyed by his
fresh legs and the relentless attacks of young Will Johnson, RSL
extended their pressure to ensure the three points.
The Earthquakes last serious chance came in the 82nd minute when a
handball by Olave gave them a free kick just outside of the box. The
ageless Francisco Lima pushed his set piece just a bit over the bar.
The victory helps Real Salt Lake keep pace in the suddenly very
competitive Western Conference and sets up what should be a spirited
chase between them and Rocky Mountain rival Colorado to make the
postseason. For San Jose, the loss ends their nine-game unbeaten
streak and leaves them in a tie at the bottom of the Western
Conference with their intrastate rivals Los Angeles.
— Siegfried Spelter, Goal.com