August 2015 in Review
RSL August record: 1-4-0 (2-5-0 overall)
RSL season record: 8-11-8 (12-11-8 overall)
Results: @ D.C. United 4-6; CCL @ Municipal 1-0; @ Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0-4; Open Cup @ Sporting Kansas City 1-3; vs. Portland Timbers 0-1; vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2-0; @ FC Dallas 0-2.
It was a busy month to say the least with seven matches in 29 days, including four straight road matches in 12 days in three different countries. After the grueling stretch, RSL was left with a semifinal finish in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and still within striking distance of a playoff position in the Western Conference, though in a difficult spot in 10th position at month’s end. However, the silver linings included a victory in the first road match of the CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage against Municipal in Guatemala and the signing of Argentine forward Juan Manuel Martinez to add some spark to RSL’s attack. In addition to the on-field results, RSL also underwent a big change in the front office, with longtime President Bill Manning and the club parting company and Owner Dell Loy Hansen announcing a new structure that included the promotion of Craig Waibel from Technical Director to General Manager. Those changes have continued with Andrew Carroll (Chief Business Officer) and Rob Zarkos (Vice President, Soccer Administration) already taking big steps forward in leadership roles in the organization.
Top Performer: Tony Beltran is an MLS All-Star and now has a contract extension. This month he was a bright spot in his defensive efforts even in a month that saw RSL ride a roller-coaster in its results. His play against Portland, Seattle and Dallas in the last three matches was evidence of his All-Star credentials and he even notched his first assist of the year against D.C. United.
Unsung Hero: Javier Morales was as important off the field as he has been all season on the field for RSL. In addition to one goal and two assists for the month, Morales has played a key role in integrating Martinez into the locker room and making him feel at home in Claret-and-Cobalt.
By The Numbers: 12,127. That’s how many air miles the club traveled, roughly, over the course of the month. While not every player was on every flight, it’s still a burden that takes its toll on the team. By comparison the 5,966 air miles scheduled for September are downright manageable.
Up Next: September will be a much lighter month in terms of bulk, but the magnitude of the five matches is immense. The month opens with road matches against the Houston Dynamo in MLS play on the 12th and in El Salvador against Santa Tecla in CONCACAF Champions League action on the 15th. That is followed by a home match against the LA Galaxy on the 19th and the second match against Santa Tecla at Rio Tinto Stadium on the 24th, then a road match against the suddenly red-hot San Jose Earthquakes on the 27th. By the end of the month, RSL could conceivably have a berth in the quarterfinals of Champions League wrapped up.
