Real Salt Lake vs Chicago Fire on March 29th

Real Salt Lake will open it's 2008 Major League Soccer campaign at Rice-Eccles Stadium against Mexican-star Cuauhtemoc Blanco's Chicago Fire. RSL's Jason Kreis and Garth Lagerway are changing the culture here in Salt Lake with a lineup that could only feature 2 players from last year's opener against FC Dallas (Nick Rimando and Carey Talley), at the most. That game featured a devastating mix-up in RSL's back that gave FC Dallas the tying goal with seconds to go in stoppage time, which has been discussed as being the main factor dictating RSL's lack-luster season.

Chicago Fire will be coming in to the season missing their keeper, Matt Pickens. However they have picked up Dominic Cervi, and have veteran keeper Jon Busch (however his minutes have been limited for the last few seasons). But, the main story-line of the Fire is Blanco. He will be coming off of a great half-season with 4 goals and 7 assists in 14 games. Fire received 24 points in those 14 games (6-2-6) giving them a boost as they just knocked off the Galaxy to make the playoffs. The familiar playoff defeating of DC United continued. However, they weren't able to make a trip back to Washington D.C. for the MLS Cup, as they lost in the Conference Championship to the Revolution.

Last season, Blanco came to town to really dazzle the split Blanco and RSL fans by hitting MLS's Goal-of-the-Year. Later, Paulo Wanchope sealed the fate of the game by finishing a corner kick by Blanco. The other battle between the two last year resulted in a 0-0 tie at Toyota Park with each keeper (Nick Rimando and Matt Pickens) making 7 saves. However, only 2 RSL players that appeared in the that game remain with the team (Nick Rimando and Andy Williams).

This game will dictate RSL's early part of the season. Afterwards, an away game against Chivas (hopefully, not another April thrashing like the previous two years), away and home game against DC United (Supporter's Shield last two years), away game against Toronto (great fan base) will make it tough to see good results during April. I am hoping RSL can set a record by heading into May with more than 5 points. Previous years heading into May: 2005 - 5 points in 5 games, 2006 - 1 point in 5 games, 2007 - 2 points in 4 games.

My thoughts are that this will be some growing pains for Real Salt Lake. RSL will be focused on keeping possession, and will win that battle with a Chicago side that looks for quick, penetrating attacks. However, RSL will lack in threatening opportunities with many of the new-comers still trying to gel together with loss of possession usually coming in the final third. With our seemingly pressure-style football, we will look to push Chicago around and make Rolfe and others uncomfortable while in possession. I think Chicago will break through with an early goal from Rolfe with a defensive-slicing pass from Blanco. However, with all of our possession, Findley will start the season off like he started for us last year and break-away from Chicago's slow defense in the later half of the game with a great ball from Morales. Ending the game in a 1-1 tie. Even though, there has been many positive changes to RSL, I have a feeling the start of the season will be another tough one.

Two of the important matchups are RSL DMid-Blanco and RSL Right Back-Mapp. I think Beckerman will be playing D-Mid, but I am unsure. Our Defensive Mid is going to have to continually keep Blanco pressured. The worst thing RSL could do is to allow Blanco to be able to turn forward and pick out his options. That is where Blanco could really destory our defense. Also, our right back is going to need to keep a tight hold on Mapp, this kid has too much talent and can whip in some dangerous balls. Mapp has struggles with physicality and I think it could really frustrate him.

If we can hold off the early jitters, I believe we could hold Chicago to nil, giving us a great opener with a 1-0 win. But, I am expecting a 1-1 game to control my enthusiasm for RSL. Seasons' past have resulted in me wanting to control my soccer-depression. See Fan Therapy - Coping with RSL fandom to help yourself cope with Real Salt Lake's on field production.

Leave your thoughts on the opening game below.