Champions League or First Kick? RSL, Galaxy triumph

First Kick of the Major League Soccer season? Or Real Salt Lake taking on Saprissa in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League? Maybe you watched one and PVRed the other. Maybe you had two online feeds going at once. Or had one on the tube, the other on the computer — even though there were many complaints on Twitter about how tough it was to log onto CONCACAF’s online stream of the CCL match. With the ESPN broadcast crew, and a sellout crowd at Qwest Field, the Galaxy-Sounders game had more glitz. But, for taking MLS into new territory in the CCL, Real Salt Lake’s match carried more importance, more substance. Toronto-born midfielder Andy Williams was the catalyst, setting up Alvaro Saborio’s sublime finish in the first half, then, in the second half sending a long ball down the left channel for Fabian Espindola to corral, shift to his shooting foot with a fantastic first touch, and bury RSL’s second goal. “It’s not over yet,” Williams said on the official CONCACAF feed after the game. “We have one foot in. It’s going to be a battle. It’s important for our team, our fans and all the clubs in MLS.” And that’s the thing. Outside of Colorado Rapids fans, all of MLS is pulling for RSL, as part of this bizarre love-hate relationship America has with the CCL. MLS schedules its All-Star game head-to-head against CCL qualifying rounds, the new 34-game schedule forced an earlier kickoff to the season, putting First Kick in conflict with RSL’s run. MLS knew that there would be a conflict, as RSL met Columbus in the quarters, guaranteeing an American team in the semis. But,MLS knows how much it would mean if RSL was to win this thing. It would transform this tournament from “watch Mexican teams kick around the rest of CONCACAF” into a competition that has some compelling storylines. Saprissa did get a ball into the back of the net, but Josue’s Martinez was called back for offside. Two Saprissa attackers were closer to the goal line than RSL keeper Nick Rimando, which made the call a tricky one. But, replays indicated that the linesman may have missed an offside earlier in the sequence leading up to the recalled goal, anyway. A sixth minute goal by RSL’s Nat Borchers was waved off because of offside, and that call was more of a stumper. Rimando was called on to make a hell of a diving stop in the first half, denying Martinez. But, make no mistake, RSL dominated this game, with the Borchers non-goal and a great second-have skipping drive from Kyle Beckerman parried away by Saprissa keeper Victor Bolivar.

As for First Kick — EA Sports announced that its season simulation saw the Los Angeles Galaxy set a new record for points in a season and win MLS Cup. In slick, rainy conditions, the Galaxy claimed a 1-0 win on a wonder strike, a screwball from the foot of Juninho. The goal was created by former TFC man Todd Dunivant, who jumped off the backline to intercept a lazy Seattle pass, then strode up the field to lay the ball off for Dunivant to finish. Outside of the goal, there were a couple of talking points: In the first half, new Seattle midfielder Erik Friberg can in on MLS poster boy Landon Donovan’s leg with a high boot. The cleats came down on Donovan’s knee, sending the Galaxy’s star to the turf. Remember that MLS has issued a mandate to its referees to be especially aware of bad fouls on the man with the ball — and not to be afraid to produce cards. Friberg got a yellow. David Beckham, outside of one bending free kick that just missed the goal, looked a step off the pace, and had more than a few poor or heavy touches. Has to make one wonder if the off-season training sessions with Tottenham have fatigued his 35-year-old body. And, Seattle announced just before the game that Swiss forward Blaise Nkufo, brought in as a Designated Player last season, and the Sounders had parted ways. Former Toronto FC striker O’Brian White partnered Fredy Montero, and scuffed an early chance, though he did lay off a clever pass for teammate Osvaldo Alonso in the second half, who blasted his attempt over the bar. Ex-TFC striker Chad Barrett started for the Galaxy alongside Mike Magee. The Galaxy didn’t trouble Seattle keeper Kasey Keller until the second half and, if Juan Pablo Angel can’t go — as was the case tonight — it’s clear the Galaxy need another attacking option.