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It was disappointment for many in the ReAL Salt Lake organization to here that Nick Rimando did not win the MLS Goal Keeper of the Year award. General Manager Garth Lagerwey even stated it was a "small market" factor keeping the award from arriving at Rio Tinto. But for Defender of the year they had a much better chance with 2 defenders named to the final 3 spots. Jamison Olave was give the honors of being the top defender in the League and it caps a stellar season where he was also named to the MLS All Star team. Nat Borchers came in second followed by Omar Gonzales. It would of been a travesty if a group of men who set a league record for goals scored was not awarded top honors by the league considering what happened with Rimando who tied the league record of shutouts. Olave probably has something else to hang his hat on, no red cards this season which was a problem in the past.
More and more you here, what is RSL going to do without Javier Morales. Probably the same thing they have done all season, replace him with Andy Williams or Ned Grabavoy. Back in May, Salt Lake lost Morales to a groin injury only to go 3-1 and start a 5 game winning streak. The only lose they have had with Morales not in the line up this season was at Columbus and anyone that saw that game knows RSL was robbed a goal when Will Johnson scored in the closing minutes to tie it but was called off sides. Replay clearly showed he was not. It really comes down to what Head Coach Jason Kreis wants to do. He has Jean Alexandre for a big body and defense or maybe Collen Warner for attacking or just go with Williams and Grabavoy which gives you great passing or tough chippy cause problems play.
All and all Salt Lake needs to score and be very offensive in this one the whole game. Dallas will be doing the same but their defense might not be up to the challenge of a relentless attack that RSL can throw at them. Plus, how long until the altitude problem sets in for the Hoops? As long as FCD does not get a early goal things should settle into ReAL's favor. I'm going to go with a 2-0 win for RSL but then again I thought last week was going to end 1-1 until a few red cards changes that game.
