RSL fall short; Dempsey sets record

Last night, a single defensive lapse in the box by Real Salt Lake kept them from continental glory.

Chilean international Humberto Suazo, Monterrey's top striker, was able to put one home from 15 feet off a give-and-go during first half stoppage time, giving Los Rayados the 1-0 victory (3-2 aggregate) in the CONCACAF Champions League final.  Mexican clubs continue their run of titles, preventing Real from becoming the first American team to reach the Club World Cup.

RSL's Will Johnson helped his club dominate
possession throughout the night, but it wasn't
enough.

Salt Lake dominated possession from the get-go, rarely relenting on the offensive pressure met calmly from the Mexicans.  Captain Kyle Beckerman watched from the GM suite (yellow card accumulation), but I don't think it would have made a huge difference.  He was no more likely to get one of RSL's many crosses to end up in the back of the net.  They simply couldn't capitalize (even when all they needed was a 1-1 draw for the title).  Both teams made few mistakes on defense--but Monterrey took advantage, and have a Champions League trophy to show for it.

I, like many neutral or non-RSL fans, rooted for the Royals like they were my own children.  What a North American title and a trip to the Club World Cup would have done for us... I guess there's no point in even bothering with the "what-ifs."  But many agree that simply reaching this point was HUGE for American soccer, and that it will hopefully push other clubs to take the tournament just as seriously.  LA Galaxy, Colorado, Dallas, and Seattle will be in the next Champions League (beginning later this summer), and hopefully they'll follow suit.

Clint Dempsey

Well on his way to being the most successful American soccer player in European history, our beloved superstar winger has made headlines again.

Clint Dempsey being fucking awesome.

Not only did his brace against Bolton Wanderers lead Fulham (now safe from relegation) to a 3-0 victory, but it catapulted him over compatriot Brian McBride for the team record for career goals in the EPL, with 33.  Last month, he became the first American in the EPL to score 10 goals in a season, a record also held previously by McBride (9, twice).

And talking about Bolton just brings me back to the Stuart Holden injury, which reminds me to get off my ass and get back to that Jonny Evans hate mail.  Christ, this post has been an emotional rollercoaster. 

Here are Clint's two goals:

Most Significant Game in American Club Soccer History

...now that I have your attention.

I've talked about Real Salt Lake's journey through the CONCACAF Champions League a few times.  A small-market team with a comparatively tiny payroll (less than half of David Beckham's salary) has spent the last year shipping themselves all over North America for this very night.  After drawing 2-2 at Monterrey last week, RSL hosts the Mexican powerhouse tonight for a chance at the FIFA Club World Cup at Japan in December.  Expecting over 20,000 in attendance, RSL has single-handedly taken a tournament from Eurosnob obscurity to the point where players, coaches, and fans from all over the league have sent their well wishes to the organization for tonight's match.  After all, Salt Lake is looking to be the first team to ever represent the United States at the Club World Cup.

The event (10 pm EDT, Fox Soccer Channel, CONCACAF TV) has been almost unavoidable.  Even "non-soccer" media has dubbed it as more important than any MLS match in history.  Those closer to the situation have been able to communicate with the common fan and equate it with the obviously larger UEFA Champions League, and therefore boost its local and national relevance.

While I can't sit here and say that a Salt Lake win would forever change the landscape of American soccer as we know it (it would take a US World Cup win to do that so swiftly), the theme of "every little step helps" rings as true as ever.  Regardless of your allegiance, seeing Kyle Beckerman hosting the trophy in street clothes would be one of the most monumental moments in American soccer history.  And many people won't realize that until after it happens (God willing).  But that's okay with me.

World Cup Qualifying


CONCACAF's new qualification format, as mentioned last month, has officially been submitted to FIFA for approval (more than likely a mere formality; it should be approved rather quickly).  The only difference from last month's report is that, like Asia, CONCACAF will be staging the first round of qualification before the official draw in July.  Announced yesterday, the round will begin June 3, with two-legged match-ups seeded according to the March 9 rankings, as opposed to a random draw (which would have happened had this round occurred after the July draw in Brazil).  The return legs will be played June 7.

The match-ups are as follows.
#26 Belize v. #35 Montserrat
#27 Dominican Republic v. # 34 Anguilla
#28 British Virgin Islands v. #33 U.S. Virgin Islands
#29 Saint Lucia v. #32 Aruba
#30 Turks and Caicos Islands v. #31 Bahamas

The winners will advance to the second round, a group stage with teams ranked 7-25.  The US, ranked #1 in CONCACAF, have a bye to the third round.

Portland, OR > Anywhere Else in The US

Last night, the expansion Portland Timbers hosted the Chicago Fire, in what was their home opener at newly-renovated JELD-WEN Field.  As with any recent MLS expansion club with roots in successful lower-division soccer, the preseason and pre-game hype was high, and the soccer media turned their full attention toward the festivities.

I've been reading up on Timbers lore for a few years, since even the slightest rumors of MLS expansion surfaced.  There isn't a single soccer club in US history with as much tradition.

They have one of the largest supporters groups, the Timbers Army, in what is one of the smallest markets in MLS.  Eight thousand supporters highlighted an 18,000-body sellout last night. Their songs are more numerous and unique than their counterparts (including the national anthem before the match).  Their tifo is enviable at worst.  They have no other sports teams to distract them (other than the Trail Blazers, but let's be honest with ourselves).  And their mascot is a real-live lumberjack (Timber Joey) who goes batshit and cuts a two-inch slab of pine with a chainsaw every time the Timbers score.  The goalscorers hoist the slab in the air after the game, and get to keep it.

They sing Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" to reference the King's performance at the site where the stadium now stands.  They sing "You Are My Sunshine" every game, at the 80th minute, to honor the daughter of the old mascot (Timber Jim). (must read, it's a tearjerker)

They are the Boston Red Sox, the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Red Wings of American soccer--the team, stadium, and city is full of history, and the fans live for the franchise.

Seattle has earned most of the supporter-related headlines the last few years.  As they should--their average attendance is more than double the league average, bringing in well over 30,000 fans every game.  Compare this to the 5,000 they worked hard to get in their lower-division days.

Portland, however, has been raking in 5-figure attendances since their old NASL days in the 70s, let alone the USL seasons of recent years, before soccer was even close to the attraction it is now.

Seattle (as well as Toronto, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Columbus, etc.) loves its soccer.  But Portland lives for the Timbers.  They are a dorky bunch that rides bikes everywhere and, I hear, knows beer pretty well.  But soccer is not a new phenomenon in the Rose City.  It is a generational gift--a way of life.  Portland is soccer.  If you watched last night's game, with all the rain pouring on the old, tradition-laden field, you'd think they were in East London.  It's like time turned itself inside out and dropped decades of  a soccer institution in 2011's lap.

Be jealous, Seattle.  You may have twice the numbers at the stadium, but you don't have half the heart.  Not from here, at least.  Portland makes me want to be a fan.  They make me want to breathe everything they have to offer, on and off the field.  And you don't have any lumberjacks.

(FOR MORE AWESOME PHOTOS, CLICK HERE)