The Fire salvaged a point in the 92nd minute of the season opener thanks to a fine strike by Blanco, after Real Salt Lake had taken the lead twenty minutes earlier. We'll have a full wrap-up of the game later, but for now, you can watch the highlights at the MLS site and consider the varied reaction to the game below:

NotAbbott liveblogged the game, summing up that there were "Way too few scoring chances in the second half, although we pulled the result out of our collective asses. I thought the outside defenders got turned a couple of times, but it almost seemed like RSL kept using the flanks because they were afraid of Baky Soumare in the middle for most of the game. Not sure if he deserves that level of respect, but I'll take it. Logan Pause has his work cut out for him, but once C.J. and Dasan are back, a three-man backline won't be out of the question, and that will give him more support. If we can build on those couple of times where we played the width of the field, good things will happen. That may be a big "if"."

The Chicago Sun-Times notes the bitter reaction to Blanco's goal by RSL head coach Jason Kreis, who said that "'It was about one special player who made one special play and didn't do really anything else the entire game -- except run around and whine."

Over at the Section 8 forums , there's considerable debate about the effects of altitude on the performance, calls to trade Mapp after a "pitiful" performance, and heated debate over whether Soumare should be booed or praised.

The quotes page at the official Fire site includes Denis Hamlett's response to the remarkably lenient refereeing, saying the team adjusted to this at half-time. ""I felt like it was that way for both teams. We felt like, 'You know what, it's a real game and we have to deal with it,' and I thought for the most part our guys adjusted well in the second half."

I'll update this post as more match reports and verdicts come in. Even the Tribune still only has a wire AP story up.

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1 Comments

Connor March 31, 2008	Terry Vaughn would be considered lenient in the NHL. The astroturf field was terrible and was clearly responsible for a lot of chances not created. That said here is my take. Justin Mapp is never going to do anything more than flatter to deceive. If he hasn't learned to pass and shoot by now, he never will. I'm tired of watching it. Time for him to go. I'm willing to wait a few more games on Frankowski. He didn't get much service Saturday and a lot of that had to do with field conditions. One thing is pretty obvious though. He's way to slow for MLS. Rolfe seems to fit in well at mid and the back line seemed a lot stronger than I thought it would and I'm looking forward to seeing it with CJ and Dasan in the lineup along with Soumare. I think he'll shape up well as a defender. The one hole that I'm afraid will be gaping for us this season (aside from backup keeper) is that of stopping and transition midfielder a la Armas. Blanco can do some of that but we need a younger man to apprentice under Chris. Looking forward to seeing how the guys shape up on a real pitch on Thursday. See ya all there.