RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Played
November 15, 2009 1:00 AM EST
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill.
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
November 15, 2009 1:00 AM EST
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill.
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Unbelievable. Masterstroke from coach Jason Kreis to put Grabavoy on right before going to penalties. And thanks to that move, RSL are now going to the MLS Cup final to face LA. Incredible. Astounding. Not what the marketers wanted but that's how it goes. Congratulations to RSL. A well-earned result. Too bad Chicago has to go out on penalties in front of a packed house though. Good night everyone.
Grabavoy now to win it for RSL...THERE IT IS!!! It's over!!!
Penalty Goal Ned Grabavoy
Prideaux now for Chicago... another save!
Missed Penalty Brandon Prideaux
Espindola to win it...NO! He skies it!
Missed Penalty Fabian Espindola
Missed Penalty Logan Pause
Pause for Chicago... hits it low to the left and Rimando makes a stretched save!
Johnson for RSL... yes. He does it and we're going to sudden death on penalties.
Penalty Goal Will Johnson
Penalty Goal C.J. Brown
Brown for the Fire... big defender slots it home.
Beckerman for RSL... no problem. Slots it away.
Penalty Goal Kyle Beckerman
Missed Penalty John Thorrington
Thorrington for Chicago... he goes to his right and Rimando makes the save! Fantastic guess and dive.
Penalty Goal Robbie Findley
Findley for RSL...needs to score it, in all reality...and he does. Calm, cool, no worries.
Penalty Goal Wilman Conde
Conde for Chicago... fires it hard and high...again up the middle...and Rimando should've saved it, really.
Missed Penalty Javier Morales
Morales now for RSL...casually runs up and PUTS IT OVER! Oh my.
Penalty Goal Brian McBride
McBride up now...Yes...in the upper 90.
Penalty Goal Clint Mathis
Mathis now for RSL. Quick steps and puts it away.
Caramba. He put it off the bottom of the bar.
Penalty Goal Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Penalties down at the Section 8 end of Toyota Park. Lots of noise, lots of energy. Will that help? Blanco thinks. He's up first and he's pumping up the crowd.
120′ +4
Mapp goes to goal, right footed shot--not his favorite foot--and Rimando makes the save... and there's the whistle. We're on to spotkicks now. Who's nervous? Hell, I am.
120′ +3
Grabavoy on. Obviously a move for penalty reasons.
120′ +2
Substitution 
Robbie Russell 
Ned Grabavoy
Robbie Russell Ned Grabavoy
120′ +2
Chicago is backing up and conceding ground. Kind of a prevent defense right now. Looks like we're headed to penalties. Shame, for two teams that have given it everything.
120′ +1
3 minutes of added time.
120′
Mapp gets down the left side. He has shown some bursts of speed. Maybe he'll put me in my place with a goal. Cross...corner kick.
120′
Nyarko comes back on.
117′
No more substitutes for Chicago. They're going to have to go with ten men until Nyarko can get back in there. Nyarko getting some cauterizing of some kind on the sideline. Get him back on the field ASAP, is the message from the coaches, I assume.
117′
Yellow Card Cuauhtemoc Blanco
116′
Beckerman and Nyarko went up for high ball, and Nyarko came down bloodied. He'll probably be okay. What about Blanco? He gets a yellow for running his mouth about something.
115′
Why isn't Salazar blowing the whistle? Nyarko obviously had a head injury. That's what the referee is supposed to do.
113′
Beckerman crosses from the right side, in-swinger, but Mathis pops his header high and wide.
111′
Yellow Card Will Johnson
111′
Johnson trips up Nyarko from behind just as the Ghanaian was ready to sprint toward goal. Gotta be a card. And it is.
110′
Rolfe goes out and Mapp comes in. Not sure I would've done that. Rolfe's first step is so dangerous and Mapp has looked subpar all season. Talented but too lackadaisical for me.
109′
Substitution 
Chris Rolfe 
Justin Mapp
Chris Rolfe Justin Mapp
109′
Robinson alone in the middle but Rimando comes out to power away Blanco's cross from the left side.
108′
HEY! What a volley from Mathis! An absolute cannon blocked by Brown. That was aiming for the back of Chicago's net.
107′
The legs are tired now. A lot of space in the midfield.
106′
Whoa! Did that go in? Busch held a long high ball from Mathis and nearly stumbled back into his own goal. Scary moments.
105′ +1
There's the whistle. A quarter of an hour left...oh boy... tense...
105′ +1
Into the last few seconds of this half of ET.
105′
Nyarko streaks into the area, one on one against Olave...and Olave comes out victor, earning a goalkick. Or maybe not. Olave is supine on the round, in pain.
103′
Blanco spins his shot in toward the upper left 90, but again not enough oomph on it and Rimando snags it without breaking a sweat.
102′
Morales called for a handball about 25 yards out in the middle. Was that intentional? If so, he's gone. No. Ref says no. Blanco steps up to hit it...
100′
Yellow Card Brandon Prideaux
99′
Yellow Card Kyle Beckerman
99′
Blanco scythed to the ground by Wingert. Card? Card? That would've sent Wingert out, which I wouldn't want to see. That would be unfair to a great performance from RSL. But Beckerman's complaints earn him a yellow.
97′
Beckerman just axes Thorrington. That should get a booking. No intention to play the ball.
96′
And right away, that's what Conde does. A long freekick from Blanco and Conde challenges for it. Had a look, at least.
95′
Substitution Daniel Woolard Wilman Conde
Daniel Woolard Wilman Conde
95′
Uh-oh. Wilman Conde checks in for Chicago. The big Colombian has been out injured for some time. That will shore up the Fire backline. But he's also a great target on set pieces.
94′
Espindola tiptoes into the Chicago area, but again another sliding shot blocked. Corner kick.
91′
Under way again. Let's hope tonight's AET is as good as last night's out in LA. Two goals and some good play. That's what this one needs. I really hope we don't go to penalties, at least.
90′ +4
The whistle. Strap in everyone. Time for some extratime.
90′ +3
Oh my! Cleared off the line. Morales's corner finds Findley's head and Thorrington is able to kick it clear before it crosses the line.
90′ +2
Uh-oh...corner kick for RSL after Findley dribbles into the Chicago area. THe smoke is swirling in that end of the stadium. It's like a war scene.
90′ +1
A flare is lit. Section 8 is roiling again.
90′
Yellow Card John Thorrington
90′
Three minutes of added time. Can someone--anyone!--break through?
88′
Why does Nyarko just run past the defense? He gets the ball with space and instead of blowing past Borchers, he plays it into Thorrington who gives it away.
87′
Mathis has done very little since coming on. Lots of giveaways, though. Probably should've left WIlliams on. He still had some fuel in the tank.
86′
Great chances for both sides tonight. There should be a goal. Why has there been no goal, dang it? I don't ask for a lot. Just a goal.
86′
Electric counter from Chicago. Ole from Blanco on a little dummy and Thorrington runs about 40 yards with the ball. He plays it wide to McBride and the former Fulham striker angles his shot wide of the goal.
84′
Rolfe again! McBride chests it down and Rolfe swoops a full volley at RSL's goal. Again, he doesn't get the purchase he needs. Plus it was wide. So, no dice.
83′
HA! I love seeing Blanco get all riled up. He's yelling at the linesman for daring to call him offside--he was offside, by centimeters--and it's all for naught. Nyarko was fouled before the pass. Freekick.
82′
Rolfe with a good look, but he can't get it done. A ball across the area is knocked down by McBride, and Rolfe mis-calibrates his half-volley.
81′
Does RSL really have enough to get a goal and a win?
78′
Substitution Marco Pappa Patrick Nyarko
Marco Pappa Patrick Nyarko
77′
Nyarko is on the sideline ready to check in. He should change the dynamic for the Fire attack. Speed, power, fearlessness. Not a lot of skill, though.
75′
Yellow Card Chris Wingert
75′
Wingert with another sloppy tackle, this time on Pappa. How can that not be a yellow card for persistent infringement? Oh, wait, there it is. Good for you, ref.
73′
McBride from about 20 yards out. Not a bad idea, but it veers wide of the right post. Probably wouldn't have hassled Rimando anyway.
72′
Substitution Yura Movsisyan Fabian Espindola
Yura Movsisyan Fabian Espindola
72′
Findley into the Fire area again, but he can't get his shot off. Seems like both sides have done a great job blocking shots tonight.
71′
Espindola looks set to come in for Movsisyan. Another roll of the dice from Kreis.
70′
The game is stretching. A lot of space in the midfield for both teams to work in.
69′
Substitution Andy Williams Clint Mathis
Andy Williams Clint Mathis
69′
Chicago is taking control now. The crowd is in it again. RSL makes a change, get Mathis on to slow things down and let everyone breathe.
68′
Bicycle kick! Folks, we have our first overhead attempt of the night. Rolfe latches onto Prideaux's cross from the right but the acrobatic shot goes a few feet high.
67′
OH! Blanco feathers a pass in to Thorrington, but the midfielder can't get his shot off. Had some space for a few seconds.
66′
RSL corner...good one from Morales but Findley's header skids wide to the left. Good chance and he should probably hit the target at least.
64′
That's better. Pappa bashes a left-footed half-volley and forces Rimando to make a diving save to his left. Then he gets a second one seconds later, and his right-footed shot can't get through the maze of defenders. That first shot was beautiful. The save the same.
63′
Pappa twirls away from Wingert down the right side, but his cross is miserable...right into the keeper.
62′
Seems to me that Chicago would do well to bring Nyarko on soon. His pace could change the game.
62′
Long rifled half-volley from Beckerman from about 25 yards, low and hard, but Busch is able to cradle it easily enough.
59′
The field is slick, oily slick, and every long ball is skipping long. Both teams need to put the ball on the floor.
58′
UGLY! Great threaded ball from Morales to find Movsisyan and the big striker flashes his shot wide from about 15 yards. He has to do better.
56′
Woolard crosses from the left. It is isn't great, and McBride and Olave collide, demolition-derby style.
55′
Whoa! Did Blanco just kick out at Borchers?
53′
Movsisyan gets a long ball down the left side and tries to turn Robinson in the Chicago area. Instead, Robinson steps on his foot and he goes down. No call, though. he's not going to get that call from Salazar. Someone is going to have to be knifed to get a penalty in this one.
52′
Movsisyan rips a shot from about 20 yards. No one steps to pressure him. Why not? Every time Movsisyan gets the ball, the Chicago defenders start backpedaling. Strange.
49′
Here we go...OOH! That curls nicely around the wall toward the right side, but it goes just wide. Everyone in Section 8 behind the FIre goal gasp a little relief.
48′
Well, that was silly. Robinson climbs up and over Movsisyan in a dangerous area. RSL freekick from about 25 yards out, slightly to the right of the Chicago goal. This is Morales territory.
47′
Decent attack from Chicago, Rolfe spins around a defender and finds Blanco open on the left. But the cross was weaker than Zima.
46′
Let's get it going again... we're back. No changes for either team.
45′ +2
Halftime, Hatch, haftime. Go grab a beer, everyone, and we'll see you in 15 minutes.
45′ +1
OMG! If I can steal a phrase from the kids. What a save by Busch! Movsisyan breaks past the Fire defense and hits a bouncing volley from about 8 yards, but he slams it right between the keeper's legs. But Busch is able to drop and smother it under him before it bounces into the net. That would've been a shocker right before the break.
45′
That was clooooose! Johnson speeds into the Chicago area, and the ball ricochets out to Morales at the top of the box. He hits it quickly--toe poke!--and it shanks just wide.
44′
Pause never goes forward, does he? If he did, he could be an international. All the horizontal play removes any threat of danger. Unlike Beckerman, who always looks forward.
43′
Wow! Morales slaloms by three defenders and whips a cross in. Busch punches away.
42′
The prettiness of the early part of the match is gone. Things have gotten ugly. Chicago are relying on individualism and RSL aren't finding their strikers' feet anymore.
41′
Blanco directs traffic and sets up the Chicago guys in and around the wall... he complains about the wall to Salazar... and finally he lines up the shot. Long run uuuuuuupppppp--nada! Right into Rimando's breadbasket. Not enough power from 30 yards to beat a 10-year-old keeper, let alone a pro.
40′
Freekick. It's Blanco time, everyone...
39′
Yellow Card Javier Morales
39′
After Rolfe tricks his way down the right and crosses diagonally back, Woolard cuts back on Morales...Hand ball! Morales reached his arm out while on the ground. Totally intentional. Yellow card.
37′
What is Rimando doing? His hospital ball put Olvae in a bad spot and the big Colombian has a little hitch in his step. Looks like he's going to be okay, though.
36′
Rolfe this time down the left side for Chicago. Races around Russell like he's a pylon and drives a cross in. Blocked! Corner kick again. But this time Blanco curls it out of bounds and into the outside side netting.
35′
Williams down the left side for RSL. He gets his cross in, but Brown is there to clear it out... And the ensuing corner is poorly cleared. It comes to Olave, but his spinning shot is scooped up easily by Busch.
34′
Blanco chases a lost cause on a big kick from Busch. He kind of shuffles when he runs, doesn't he?
31′
Pappa earns a freekick on the right side after Blanco tap-dances for a few touches. McBride is the target again... but Pappa's left-footed delivery can't skip the first defender. Poor play.
28′
Oops...Beach Ball alert! The ghost of Pepe Reina?
27′
Corner kick for Chicago...aiaiaiai...off the bar! Blanco's corner tot he near post and McBride's glanced header loops up and off the woodwork. Then Pappa can't knock home the rebound. Man, that was close.
26′
Blanco dropped again, this time by Wingert--hands on the back, no intention to play the ball. That's WIngert's second ugly foul. Referee Salazar will have to do more than blow his whistle next time.
25′
Movsisyan tries a couple of shots but nothing gets through the Fire backline.
23′
Ha. Blanco and Borchers are tangoing together. Who's leading? Silly question.
22′
Prideaux down after a tackle on Borchers. He came up grimacing. Looks like he's going to be okay. If not, well, hey, he's already said he's retiring at the end of the season.
21′
Of course, they've only created the one chance, so all the artistry in the world isn't that effective so far.
20′
RSL moves the ball so beautifully. It's like they've been watching Barcelona and deciding that now, in the playoffs, they can do that too. Okay, so they're not Barca, but they have wonderful geometry tonight and their passes are crisp and poignant.
18′
Borchers freight-trains Blanco. Not even close. Sending a message to the Mexican magician, I'd say.
16′
RSL slowly getting the advantage...and OHHHHH!!!! Findley is in alone! A one-two between Findley and Movsisyan releases the former into the area but Bush comes out and makes a brilliant save. Findley should've done better. If all this 2010 US talk is going to come to fruition, he has to finish chances like that.
15′
Borchers nearly gifted Chicago a goal. An innocuous ball over the top bounced and Borchers expected Rimando to come get it. Thorrington applied the pressure and nearly got there but Rimando finally dove courageously to make the block.
13′
Uffa! McBride called offside, which means he suffered a hammering from Olave for no reason. Tough. Battle of giants between McBride and Olave.
13′
Random question: What do you call those 3/4 pants Rimando is wearing?
10′
You think the powers that be in MLS are praying to the Aztec gods that Chicago wins and sets up a Beckham-Blanco matchup in the MLS Cup final, aka, a TV-ratings bonanza? I'm going to guess: SI!
8′
I like the call to have Robbie Russell in the back for RSL. His experience is so much more valued than regular right back Beltran's pace and pressing.
7′
Oooh, brutal Juice. WIngert pounds Pappa. RSL back is dancing with the devil there.
6′
Fast pace so far. We'll see if they can keep it up. Plenty of Ferraris out there...Findley, Rolfe, Johnson, Movsisyan, Pappa...but this one is going to come down to the battle in the middle--Pause vs. Morales, Beckerman vs. Thorrington.
5′
Unbelievable atmosphere at Toyota Park. The Section 8ers are in full voice, sounding like a fired-up choir...love it!
4′
Blanco finds space on the left side after some shoddy clearing. He goes for a chip to the far post, but no one's there. Corner kick...wasted and put out of bounds by Chicago's Brown at the back stick.
2′
Whoa! Decent hint of a chance for Rolfe, but he can't pull the trigger. Blanco plays creator--as always--and Rolfe runs into the RSL area. But he's smothered before he can shoot. The Blanco-to-Rolfe attack could be hint of things to come.
1′
One major surprise in the lineup...Movsisyan comes in for Espindola up top for RSL. risky move from RSL coach Kreis, but gotta say, it's earned. Movsisyan has been en fuego lately.
1′
And we're under way...
Big huge game. Soldout Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Winner takes on the LA Galaxy in next Sunday's MLS Cup final in Seattle.
Greetings everyone. Greg Lalas from Goal.com Magazine here with you for the live commentary of the MLS Eastern Conference final between Chicago and Real Salt Lake.
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Advertisement
Results
Times In EST
Advertisement
