El Pescadito has an apprentice

So, the last time that RSL lost I wrote that it was mainly due to Landon Donovan and his potent attacking abilities. Well, this time it wasn't that simple. Let's face it, RSL got thumped. Dallas is arguably the hottest team in the league this year and they let Salt Lake know that on Saturday.

Due to the fact that I had been cranking php code all day Saturday to complete a semester project, I was pushing it to be able to watch the game shown delayed at 11pm. While coding I had to watch the LA Classico. Being preempted on espn2 by the final rounds of the NFL draft wasn't that cool, but at least when they did cut to the game espn started from the beginning of the match. The Galaxy took Chivas behind the shed in the first half going 3-0 up in half an hour. It was not a good day for expansion teams.

In Dallas, the newly deemed hoops (named such because of the red-white horizontal stripes on their jerseys) are built to punish defenses. Eddie Johnson made RSL defender Marlon Rojas look silly as he cut inside the left back with ease to set up his tally for the evening. When he's not playing against RSL Johnson is an exciting player. He will continue to score goals for Dallas and hopefully the national team through qualification for the World Cup. It's no doubt that teams in Europe have expressed interest. Rumor has it that Portuguese club Benfica offered some where around $5 million for Johnson during the off-season. But the league, who controls all the players contracts, turned Benfica down. With his current productivity MLS could get a lot more for this young talent.

There was an incident with Johnson that was not very cool. Eddie Pope challenged Johnson from behind for the ball. From every angle that was shown Johnson went down very easily. This resulted in a red card for Pope. It was a poor decision by the official. Nothing in the challenge was remotely dangerous or malicious. Especially when you look at the offender, Eddie Pope. Right, now there is a player who's out to break someone's leg with a reckless tackle. As I write this I'm getting worked up again, so I'll stop. Pope's innocent, it was not a bookable offense. After the match Johnson even admitted to faking the injury to get a foul called.

Now is the time to see what the RSL boys are made of. This has to be frustrating. The offense really hasn't kicked in yet, and we're 4 games into the season. The defense does well, but can't hold the pressure for the entire 90 like they have been. No need to panic though, there are some 25 or games left to play. Chin up boys, your supporters are still behind you. Let's get another win out home this weekend against the Quakes!

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The local NBC affiliate, KSL 5, went above and beyond expectations by deciding to pick up the game that previously would have only been available to 'Direct Kick' subscribers. If you live in the area please let KSL know that you enjoy their coverage, and that you watch Real Salt Lake matches when they carry them.