tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36188531734670847282012-01-24T13:41:08.213-06:00Soccer, Real Salt Lake, Soccer blog, MLS, RSL, Major League Soccer, US Soccer, USSoccer, Representing Iowa ReAL styleScadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comBlogger711100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-14683319753407669402010-01-02T09:11:00.004-06:002010-01-02T09:52:11.930-06:00

I've read various mock drafts leading up to this year's MLS SuperDraft and one thing is very clear concerning RSL...nobody really has any idea what direction we will take this year. Interestingly enough that is no different from any other year for the 'claret and cobalt' (I still feel a little dirty using that phrase). Some mock drafts consider us stacked claiming we will go after a young

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-61729717043313536162009-12-29T17:37:00.002-06:002009-12-29T17:43:52.372-06:00

My last post mentioned my crossroads and it was answered with an opportunity.My first post for MLS-Rumors.net was yesterday and I will be trying that route for a while...what I post there I will also be linking here. Yesterday's MLSR post: Landon Donovan - A Guilty PleasureYou can also always follow MoS @ twitter.com/themindofscads where I will include updates of my posts independent of where

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-28011588878416853342009-12-18T15:01:00.002-06:002009-12-18T15:08:21.275-06:00

While the event happened a while ago it would be wrong not to offer any sort of post congratulating the team I've followed through thick and at times very thin.RSL 2009 MLS Cup Champions!!!!It was a fun season and very fun post-season.As for the Mind of Scads I'm currently trying to consider the future for the site. While I'll likely never let go of the domain I am not sure what I will be doing

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-36302445472882149372009-07-16T05:14:00.003-06:002009-07-16T05:43:42.480-06:00

One thing that is consistent with Real Salt Lake signings is the lack of buzz surrounding the players that come and play of us. That does not mean we don't have quality players on the pitch, but our pickups tend to either be 'diamonds hiding in coal' or youth projects. Outside of our inaugural year with Eddie Pope and Clint Mathis I would argue that Kyle Beckerman has been the biggest 'name' we

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-77915316674292382322009-04-10T10:16:00.004-06:002009-04-10T10:56:33.171-06:00

Many of you have already taken a look at the Don Garber interview that threatens the relocation of DC United. There have been similar articles, though not by nearly as credible of sources, about the possible relocation of the Columbus Crew to Las Vegas in the past few weeks.I view both of these threats as deeply troubling to the league. I believe the Don is likely using the threat as a

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-64558417176604004552009-04-05T07:24:00.002-06:002009-04-05T08:05:43.736-06:00

So did I over react after game one or is there still cause for concern as an RSL fan?Watching my team destroy Columbus was some of the most fun I have had watching RSL on television. It was great to see Findley with the hat-trick and it is rare to feel that comfortable in the last 30 minutes of a RSL game.But, Coach J.K. said something interesting in the postgame interviews that I think bears a

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-59489257554901485752009-03-28T23:33:00.002-06:002009-03-28T23:45:55.952-06:00

There has been one question that all RSL fans having been asking this off season."Why aren't we adding anybody to the roster that can score?"We have been fearing that keeping a team exactly the same that had a good playoff run, but still only managed a 10-10-10 record would bite us in the butt. We bent over...Seattle chomped down.There has been so much talk about "the core" this offseason as an

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-67651182449178488712009-03-24T19:41:00.005-06:002009-03-24T20:57:35.950-06:00

Before the season starts it is a time of "Preseason rankings" and deciding which final record or playoff run would warrant contentment among fans. As RSL fans we always just wanted a playoff run and now that it has been achieved we are looking to the next step. But the problem is we really can never know how a team will perform season to season. Too many variables factor into the equation;

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-48489504415728006322009-03-22T19:11:00.004-06:002009-03-22T19:51:03.347-06:00

I was hoping to get this sucker of the ground earlier in the preseason, but it was not happening.There are quite a few plans for MoS2009, but things will likely take off slowly and ease into anticipated plans as the season goes on. There are a series of weekly installments and other ideas that I hope will give the Mind of Scads a unique niche in the MLS blogosphere and be of entertainment value

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-70291077252386923362009-02-25T11:43:00.002-06:002009-03-22T19:06:52.255-06:00

Coming soon...

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-88900893941426628792008-07-14T10:43:00.002-06:002008-07-14T11:01:13.496-06:00

Things have been very busy at the Scads' household as of late which is why this site has been painfully neglected, but it would be sacrilege not to post after the monumental result vs. Columbus on Saturday night.While I am in the same mindset as Kyle Beckerman who said "It is great that we got there, but the main thing is getting three points tonight. Right now is not the most important time to

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-63808981645710955322008-06-02T10:03:00.002-06:002008-06-02T10:12:29.768-06:00

Despite a weakened opponent it was fun to watch RSL play some decent footy on Saturday. I was ready to give up on the team all together after Javi’s botched free kick attempt, mostly because of the play after the miss, but the team really responded in the second half. A few things… I don’t know what to think about the Good Doctor. Yes, he gets his chances, but those chances aren’t

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-90287548759766769562008-05-26T08:53:00.000-06:002008-05-26T08:54:30.130-06:00

...that is all.

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-15783875504767525162008-05-18T23:32:00.002-06:002008-05-18T23:48:13.008-06:00

As the season moves on RSL's results are becoming all too familiar. Yes, there is improvement, but not enough to make us a playoff caliber team (unless the league lets us play all remaining games at RES).When I look at the standings there is one surprise that seems to stand out. The Columbus Crew. Is there anybody else that looks at their placement thinking..."Wait a minute", that was supposed to

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-89718875493781726362008-05-15T21:42:00.003-06:002008-05-15T22:11:30.879-06:00

For the very first time I had the oppurtunity to watch RSL play in HD Thursday night against Colorado. It has never been more clear that we can't play on the road...or in the final third. While the first half wasn't horrible, it wasn't pretty either. The second half was all Colorado.- Mantilla was absolute garbage. His marking was off, he passing was lazy, and his handball sealed our fate. It'll

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-43944588363214716872008-04-30T20:50:00.003-06:002008-04-30T21:18:00.944-06:00

GOOOAAAALLLLL! Beckerman!GOOOAAAALLLLL! Beckerman!GOOOAAAALLLLL! Yura!GOOOAAAALLLLL! Andy!Sporting the green 'earth day' kits (see kits here) Wednesday night RSL dismantled San Jose in the MLS 'play-in' game of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Final score was 4-0. RSL also had 10 shots on goal to SJ's 4.A few of the players not getting much time saw significant time on the pitch tonight. Most

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-78045795359156963982008-04-26T19:52:00.002-06:002008-04-26T20:19:34.481-06:00

Salt Lake City is slowly (slowly?) becoming a place in which only the most apathetic of soccer fans can survive. Give your heart to Real Salt Lake and you will be 'Temple of Doomed' quickly.DCU Part 1 gave us all a false sense of hope. I mean after a game 'we should have won' against Chicago we 'played well' against Chivas in a 3-1 loss, but made up for all of it with a 4-0 beat down of United.

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-350504686067664482008-04-22T15:46:00.006-06:002008-04-22T21:33:48.974-06:00

Yesterday I looked at on-field changes that the team has experienced in 2008, but I don't think it'd be right not to take a closer look at the changes that RSL has made off of the field.Has 'off-field' RSL made improvements in 2008? Absolutely. In two ways. The off-field dealing to put together a real team (much credit to Garth and Jason) and RSL is slowly repairing its public image.The only

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-47506205317855606192008-04-21T21:03:00.003-06:002008-04-21T21:46:26.659-06:00

2005: 1-2-12006: 0-3-12007: 0-2-22008: 1-2-1Looking at the first four games of the season compared to previous years doesn't exactly scream "We've turned a corner", though 2008 has tied our best four game start in franchise history. And a win on Saturday would give us our franchise best first five game record.Looking a little closer at the goal differential is a little nicer. We are actually at

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-84413673374034527652008-04-21T10:11:00.002-06:002008-04-21T10:16:37.156-06:00

Well after running my mouth (fingers) last week about how the very worst that could happen to RSL would be a tie I am here to fulfill my promise of praising TFC for showing me that RSL still has a long way to go. Yes the second half was controlled by Salt Lake, but after the first half it is still an embarrassing game top to bottom.Why can't we decide how to go at a team on the road? Chivas and

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-73206967131597251002008-04-13T17:29:00.004-06:002008-04-15T16:31:13.513-06:00

This Saturday's meeting between constant bottom-dwellers will have a feeling fairly unfamiliar to both clubs...they absolutely believe they are the better team. RSL is coming off of a club record 4-0 beating of DC United while TFC was able to sneak by Los Angeles for an ever important road win. Both teams finished at the very bottom of the league last season and have made some off-season changes

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-91677131633872277072008-04-13T15:43:00.003-06:002008-04-16T08:39:15.760-06:00

Hey guys, there is a new(ish) group out there and as we know the more organized our fans...the merrier. I think the R - S - L chant against DCU was shining proof of that (SLE didn't start that chant, but I think its a good example of what can happen when fans unite). It sounded great even online.I asked the S.L.E. the same questions I've asked other supporter groups in the past and here are the

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-39571126502564599062008-04-07T20:25:00.002-06:002008-04-07T20:42:20.133-06:00

So what does RSL do to fix its losing woes? It is so painful to see that better play + better players + better end game stats = same old results. I don't even know what to say, but as fans we can only hope that there is still something great to come with these guys...or we can do what a few RSL faithful did to cope and follow a zen like state called EmbraTSU or Embrace The Suckiness.On a happier

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-83730826003215161032008-04-04T21:01:00.002-06:002008-04-04T21:22:43.199-06:00

...or so it would seem for just about any team that isn't based out of Salt Lake City. Despite a new look RSL, and even a better playing RSL, the opener finished with the exact some punch line (the joke isn't funny either).So is a jackass painted like a zebra still just a burro? Well, this match against the goats could be proving grounds for the boys in gold, blue, and red that this is really a

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-26590894341371189762008-03-28T08:00:00.002-06:002008-03-28T08:07:54.438-06:00

While it would have been ideal to post frequently in the days leading up to the opener the oppurtunity wasn't afforded to me as I'm spending this week in Dallas, TX for some reasons outside of the world of soccer.But I did notice a few things while I'm here and wanted to share them quickly. Despite how frustrating the media can be in Salt Lake about our beloved RSL I have found once again, much

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-54225637022780672932008-03-22T12:11:00.006-06:002008-03-23T15:58:45.574-06:00

2007 was a great year for Major League Soccer, the arrival of David Beckham helped bring a legitimacy to a league that struggles for respect on the world's stage. Now with the Becksapalooza having had its big hooray I really hope that 2008 will see this league appealing more to the soccer fan rather than the 'People Magazine' subscriber. Almost every team this season went overseas scouting for

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-87370412290411406872008-03-20T17:16:00.003-06:002008-03-21T00:50:24.904-06:00

Last year's results: 4th in the East and 7th overall with 40 points. Lost to New England 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Championship game after getting by favorite DC United in the first round. Head-to-Head - In the first game RSL tied them 0-0 in Chicago. The Fire took the second game 2-0 in Salt Lake City.Notable loses after 2007: Chris Armas (retired), Jeff Curtin (waived), Jim Curtin (trade w

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-19991102822242687732008-03-18T16:15:00.005-06:002008-03-20T11:35:33.819-06:00

I've been busy and away from Real writing for a few days, but I'm about to get going again. Until then here are a few thoughts.- Aren't you glad you are not a Colorado fan! Okay, I just threw this one in here because I took an idea from an earlier post and made a visual representation. The truth still stands.- The Players. Our roster is probably going to be set in its current form on opening day

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-75956086763828231492008-03-10T21:39:00.004-06:002008-03-12T23:29:12.697-06:00

This is part one of what will hopefully be an ongoing feature. I recently emailed at least one Supporter's Group from every single team...some teams I emailed a couple of groups. These were the first groups to reply with a few others planning on doing so. I have asked each group seven questions to help get a feel for their goal as team followers. This first installment could be considered an

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-67005837449624009682008-03-07T09:19:00.005-06:002008-03-09T14:06:15.140-06:00

I've more than once mentioned that our midfield play in past years has been an exhibition of flow, finesse, tactics, and skill similar to that of a 4 year old girls AYSO bumble-bee league. Though in those bumble-bee leagues at least the uninterested are weeded out of 'competitive' play due to the newly acquired interest found in butterfly that just landed on little Jessica's shiny new cleats. We

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-91550790327089264532008-03-04T11:30:00.003-06:002008-03-09T14:04:52.664-06:00

The goalkeeper position proved to be one of the most important roles to making the 2007 campaign less of a disaster than it could have been. Nick Rimando was amazing and took home the RSL player of the year award. Chris Seitz had great games playing for his country and giving RSL fans a sense of connected pride and Reynish...well he logged zero minutes, but that isn't that important.Nick Rimando

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-80935710378299727872008-03-01T00:49:00.008-06:002008-03-03T23:14:44.179-06:00

"You WILL defend this season!"Have you ever played Halo? Do you remember the monsters from The Flood (they looked like a bunch of yellow grapes) that when you shot them they exploded into a bunch of little monsters that would then in return attack you? It is kind of like the retirement of Eddie Pope...the biggest most powerful guy retired, but from that retirement spawned a whole bunch of

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-43346884602452194552008-02-28T17:30:00.008-06:002008-03-03T23:13:52.362-06:00

Coke vs Pepsi. Costco vs Sam's Club. Apples vs Grapples. Oranges vs Tangerines. Gibson vs Taylor. Flogging Molly vs Drop Kick Murphy.There are many things in this world that are nearly the same thing with subtle differences that sometimes don't go much beyond a name.Yura vs Robbie vs Indra vs Espindola. All fit a similar mold, but who's subtle differences will help them to rise above the others?

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-15032407275700071602008-02-26T23:20:00.003-06:002008-03-03T23:13:14.997-06:00

Yahoo first reported it and then RSL Communications has it as news confirmed by the RSLFO that 6'3" Scottish target forward Kenny Deuchar has signed a deal with Real Salt Lake and will be joining the team in Argentina over the next two weeks.What makes this guy interesting is that he is a doctor AND he wants to practice medicine here in the states. Isn't professional soccer player a full time gig

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-53566796863425418332008-02-24T11:02:00.005-06:002008-03-03T23:15:24.407-06:00

With the departure just 5 days away it has been a busy off-season for the Spanish Royals. California and Florida are now taken care of and everyday our roster gets closer to the finished product. Though there are still a few things that can change...Garth Lagerway (GM) is in Europe right now doing a bit of scouting. I'm sure he'll come back with Ronaldinho and Henry, but until then here is a look

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-47726387638946443562008-02-21T00:09:00.006-06:002008-03-03T23:16:07.809-06:00

Well I just finished watching the Galaxy look horrible against their J-League opponent in a 1-0 loss. Granted both Landon Donovan and Carlos Ruiz didn't play, but it could be bad for Los Angeles this season. Gamba Osaka won this game in the 4th minute with a nice shot a few feet inside the left side of the box.The Galaxy are going to be desperate this season as they will need quality production

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-50261058554810971022008-02-15T21:19:00.006-06:002008-03-03T23:15:55.063-06:00

With only a couple of days until the Pan-Pacific Championship tournament in Hawaii it really gets me geared up for the upcoming season. It is nearly upon us!Now don't get me wrong...the winner of this friendly tournament will hardly be a champion of anything. The invited teams are MLS Champions Houston Dynamo, Aussie League3rd place team Sydney FC, J-League 3rd place team Gamba Osaka, and then

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-23929660258853338642008-02-15T06:40:00.006-06:002008-03-03T23:16:24.621-06:00

2005 - A new team in Utah. Success was fairly irrelevant...professional soccer was in SLC and what can you expect from an expansion team really? (Well, unless you are Chicago) Except despite the lowered expectations we DID have Clint Mathis, Jason Kreis, and the defensive God of US Soccer...Eddie Pope.Starting Line up vs Metrostars 4/2/05 - D.J. Countess, Eddie Pope, Nelson Akwari, Matt Behncke,

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-36402181979304562572008-02-10T15:00:00.001-06:002008-03-03T23:16:36.808-06:00

As the 2008 season nears I have found myself with an itch to start blogging again. Despite having selected a bottom-dweller as my passion I love using this platform to analyze, critique, and cheer on my squad.Many of you know about my son and how he brought about my hiatus from the blogging world. Well he is doing great and thank you all for your support for me and my family over the last 6th

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-74377021648557582572007-12-11T11:30:00.000-06:002007-12-11T11:35:42.911-06:00

First I want to say thanks to everybody from the RSL and MLS communities that I have never met, but offered their support. My family and I are very grateful. And know that if you would like you can continue to follow our little guy's progress at our family website.Also, I am going to get this project up and running again. I might not really get going until February or March, but The Mind of Scads

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-89992965902390289662007-08-02T22:24:00.000-06:002007-08-04T16:09:48.415-06:00

While most people that read this site have no contact with me other than that found in the blogosphere, I write the following information because this site is a manner in which I communicate with friends that I share less contact with these days. I also write to say that the Mind of Scads will not be updated until things in our lives are on more stable ground. I've loved this project and I'll

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-25477333381776922702007-07-30T07:52:00.000-06:002007-07-30T08:41:35.533-06:00

Admittedly I knew relatively little about the Mexican Premiere League, aside from the fact that their jerseys look like a NASCAR side panel, before Super Liga began recently. I knew of CD Guadalajara, Club America, and a few others, but I didn't understand how their league functioned even though I used to watch a lot of match ups on Utah's local Spanish channels. Now thanks to Super Liga I

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-43844387290609532982007-07-15T21:47:00.001-06:002007-07-16T23:56:01.363-06:00

There was a debate on BigSoccer a few days ago asking the question...is bad soccer better than no soccer? Well, as one that experiences no (professional) soccer most of the year, I can say that bad soccer is still more fun. That realization came this last Saturday on a hot and humid night in Kansas City.First, as for Kansas City, it is a pretty cool place. We entered KC about 4 hours before game

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-29553964194266500162007-07-15T09:21:00.000-06:002007-07-15T09:23:06.191-06:00

We went to Kansas City and despite the result it was a fun trip. A full report will be coming soon!

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-737922003989291272007-07-09T06:39:00.000-06:002007-07-09T07:00:24.105-06:00

Saturday night I planned on watching RSL squander another game on MLSTV, but was offered discount tickets to watch local the PDL team - Des Moines Menace. So the family got ready and we went with some friends to see the Menace take on the Kansas City Brass. It was my first PDL experience.The environment wasn't much more than a glorified high school event. The crowd was about three-thousand strong

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-19538030957840013032007-07-02T09:18:00.000-06:002007-07-02T12:12:02.997-06:00

A win followed by a bye week...figures. Hopefully 10 days isn't enough to quench the feeling of victory in our guys.One win is also not enough to squelch the feeling that we are a losing franchise. As great as the win was it is difficult to have absolute faith that we began a trend when the result only boosted us to 1-5-6.So despite the recent acquisition of Robbie Findley and Nate Sturgis it

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-83419758383618971042007-06-27T13:46:00.000-06:002007-06-27T13:55:08.823-06:00

I haven't had time to finish my next entry quite yet, but I figure I need to put something positive at the top of my posts due to the recent victory.Welcome to RSL Findley!

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-36251922046991573182007-06-20T08:19:00.000-06:002007-06-21T23:30:44.893-06:00

In pre-modern medicine the practice of blood-letting (the act of removing blood) was common practice in the treatment of the ill. The idea was that by inducing bleeding a person could be relieved of diseased, stagnant, or an overabundance of blood. After the 'bad-blood' was gone a person could then become healthy due to the idea that they no longer had the diseased blood, too much blood, or

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-17715352017435525672007-06-14T22:54:00.000-06:002007-06-14T23:31:36.348-06:00

Up until tonight I had remained positive through the first 2 months of the 2007 RSL campaign. I always felt we were fence sitters just a strong breeze away from falling onto greener pastures. Though, after seeing our squad lose in an Ellinger-esque fashion that candle-lit optimism was blown out by a much stronger wind...reality.This game was going to be the camel-hump breaking straw...I almost

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-55160737447532026762007-06-13T08:53:00.000-06:002007-06-13T12:50:01.511-06:00

Eddie Pope - My PopeIt was announced (not unexpectantly) that Eddie Pope will be retiring at the end of the season. (Soccernet: Allen Hopkins - MLS News and Notes). Pope is the best defender to have worn the United States kit and still continues to be the best player on the Real Salt Lake squad at the age of 33. Eddie is not only a great player, but an outstanding person and always first class. A

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-65368992135408634112007-06-06T20:54:00.000-06:002007-06-07T09:49:57.671-06:00

My delay in posting has not been due to a lack of effort...I have sat at the keyboard various times, but with little luck. With so many things to say I've been unable to pick a subject...so here are a few of my various thoughts...* Ties. We aren't losing and that is great, but a tie is rarely satisfying. In fact the only two ties that have been satisfying this season are the come-back against

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-70384869256770912632007-05-28T21:31:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:16:35.015-06:00

Having not been to a professional soccer game in over a year I was excited, to say the least, as game day approached. We decided to leave to the game a couple of hours early so we could walk the grounds and spend some time at a real-life soccer specific stadium (SSS). We hear so much about them...could Chicago's SSS really live up to the hype? Well I wouldn't find out as quick as I was hoping.

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-80279089382282962362007-05-22T21:51:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:16:24.967-06:00

It is MUCH too early too give a fair evaluation to the happenings in the last 24 hours with Real Salt Lake making it a prime time for us bloggers to throw in our two cents. For those of you that use my site to keep up on the dealings and news of RSL, first I’d like to thank both of you…mom/dad, you should know that Real Salt Lake traded Jeff Cunningham to Toronto FC for Alecko Eskandarian and

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-20347533830311510792007-05-22T11:22:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:16:13.992-06:00

With two ties and a loss to his name Kreis already has those questioning his every decision and even a few already calling for his job. That is to be expected, but is it entirely fair? Doesn't matter. This is the sports industry...if fair = poor results who wants fair? We are fans of RSL. We would like to cheer our team to victory, not celebrate mediocrity. Those factors influence the criticism

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-30187255327140631422007-05-20T21:04:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:16:02.121-06:00

1. New England RevolutionWhen a team is hot it seems as nothing can spoil their party and that is what happened with the Revs in Houston on Saturday. Houston had many opportunities to at least equalize the game with all of them being a no-go. And after the blast by Joseph in the 9th minute the Rev offense hardly produced another chance in the game, but were still able to hold on for the win. New

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-92065260594583262712007-05-15T11:01:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:15:51.536-06:00

MLS has a plan to be a 16 team league by 2010 with the announcement of at least one of those teams to come by October. That gives me the opportunity to toss my two cents into the mix about what the MLS should do for the near future and a bit into where the league should go after that.The Significance of the Frontier in MLS HistoryEven when things aren't looking good for their home team many MLS

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-83653235531213248192007-05-13T21:00:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:15:32.754-06:00

A couple of weeks since my last Power Rankings and things aren't any easier to sort out. The early over-achievers have changed that trend and no game seems to follow rhyme or reason. Makes it fun though.The Good1. New England RevolutionTaylor T's Revs seem to be the only team rolling right now and Taylor T is making a hard run for league MVP. With four of their next five games being at home watch

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-5609393836251979532007-05-10T12:51:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:15:19.924-06:00

The 3-3 tie with RBNY was big, but a bigger would be a good showing tonight vs the Dicks at Rapid's Park. Or is that the Rapids at Dick's Park? Doesn't matter...a win tonight would be huge in jumpstarting the coaching career of Jason Kreis and finally getting this season going in the way we all dreamed before, well before the season started. GO RSL!Also, for those that have asked...I will be

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-28180866031338526262007-05-03T13:17:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:14:48.228-06:00

Wow, I take off a week or so after the end of finals to come back to this...crazy stuff. Crazy good stuff I might add. Yes there so many ways to look at the JK hire, but it a change and that is good. I for one, though admittedly nervous, will be giving Jason my full support until he proves otherwise. There is no doubt that he is a class act, a hard worker, and understands the game. Another thing

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-33648693726101064732007-04-22T11:24:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:15:03.805-06:00

I apologize for the brevity of the power rankings this week and also for not having any other entries outside of the rankings for the last couple weeks. School has been demanding, but this week is finals weeks and things will improve vastly over the summer months. The GoodRBNY - Despite a classic bonehead red by Clint in the 36th the Red Bulls were able to hold off the Dynamo attack while

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-72599486234387397682007-04-15T22:11:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:14:36.809-06:00

The Good1. Kansas City WizardsWhat a difference a week makes and in the case of Eddie Johnson a year. Now I understand that one game doesn't really mean much, but they are the only team in the league that only has marks in the win column. It was also a convincing win over the Supporter's Cup winner from last year and in DC.2. RBNYDoes Arenas really understand the secret behind Cleetus? Clint had

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-83237334255229654862007-04-07T17:33:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:14:08.309-06:00

It came so slowly and passed so quickly. I watched at least a part of every game and most of most of the games. It was great. So now I begin my weekly power rankings based on what I saw and read. I will try and let the rankings reflect only what happens on the field throughout the weeks excluding non-MLS regular season results and anything that happened in the preseason.Player of the Week - Jeff

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-11569641576671719332007-04-03T22:31:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:13:56.365-06:00

Recently Major League Soccer came out with a 'Game First' campaign aimed at improving the overall product that we pay to watch. You can read the press release here and other notable off-season news here. The goal of 'Game First' is to "improve the quality, authenticity and excitement of on-field competition." There are a few key points found in this 'game first' initiative that give me the desire

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-61339647869407318022007-03-30T23:03:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:13:46.846-06:00

Only eight days to go until this seemingly never-ending regurgitation of off season facts and figures becomes nullified by actual on field results. As we all too well know...it can't come soon enough. Over the last few days the Salt Lake Tribune, ESPN, and others have given their season out looks for our team. Some of these articles have been informational and nice reads. Others, namely ESPNs,

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-26143286175688207412007-03-26T09:22:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:13:32.827-06:00

After my first week of posts I needed a week long vacation just to recuperate. Who knew blogging could be so demanding...I'm sweating like a pig. Okay, so my vacation had nothing to do with my blog, but I am back. While in Utah I was able to experience something that my glorious bunny-ears don't afford me...cable television. That re-introduction to hundreds of channels of worthless (yet addicting

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-52789024949933017462007-03-14T15:03:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:13:22.332-06:00

The worst time of the season for the sports fan is the month preceding the opening day. For RSL fans this off-season brings more pain than most due to the fact that we are debating stadium politics and not why Rimando is a better keeper than Garlick would have been. We are worried more about lack of construction than lack of production in Freddie Adu's first few years. We argue about anti-stadium

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-26784894448535420672007-03-12T09:42:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:13:03.821-06:00

I hate to have to do this, but enough is enough already. Everyday the SL Tribune and Deseret News come out with polls and opinion articles of people who oppose the stadium and most often with misrepresented ideas.As ReAL fans most of us were fairly pro-active with our letters and opinions while the stadium issue was up in the air, but have sat back and enjoyed 'our victory' since the stadium deal

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-86072525588971262292007-03-11T00:58:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:12:50.773-06:00

Now for the part of MLS preseason predictions that I actually care about...The Western Conference. It is going to be another tight race this year and likely will go down to the last few games for the third and fourth playoff spot again. FC Dallas probably are the most talented team, but Houston has the momentum. Chivas is growing as a club, but ReAL may have filled in a few blanks. As for LAG and

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-85327674432671290242007-03-10T12:46:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:12:32.873-06:00

As contemplated how I would begin my ReAL Salt Lake blog questions arose. Did I want to explore the switch back to the 4-4-2? Analyze Freddie? Research and give an in depth look at one of ReAL's finest? Talk about Beckham (hell no)?None of those seemed right. So how better could I begin my personal soccer page? How about a way too early look at how I believe the season will pan out? Sounds good

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-25897336918381463972007-02-26T09:30:00.002-06:002008-02-16T09:39:11.395-06:00

Want to advertise with The Mind of Scads? That is great! The Mind of Scads can provide excellent promotion opportunities for those looking to target Real Salt Lake fans, Major League Soccer fans, or just soccer fans in general. The goal of this site will be to provide an oppurtunity for you to promote your site in a manner that looks clean and classy thus improving the image of your product and

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618853173467084728.post-15399516731663586432007-02-25T21:56:00.000-06:002007-05-31T08:12:07.816-06:00

If by some random chance you happen to enjoy looking for random moments of inspiration by scanning various blogs you have come to the wrong place (thus far). This site is still much in it's infancy though I hope to change that one day.I hope to make this a blog spot dedicated to sports and more specifically soccer...and MORE specifically ReAL Salt Lake soccer.Until then...

Scadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302600950969924974noreply@blogger.com