RSL's Findley Feels Fine Delivering Crucial Penalty-Kick Winner
Published on Jul 9, 2010 06:07AM
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Robbie Findley didn't think twice.
The forward knew all along he wanted to take the penalty kick after being tripped up in the penalty box
during RSL's 1-0 victory over the Chicago at Toyota Park last night, and he knew exactly what he was going to do with it in his first start since returning from the World Cup in South Africa.
“As I was standing up, I heard some of the teammates calling the goalkeeper's name, and I figured they were telling him where I went last year” when Findley kicked left in the penalty-kick shootout that gave RSL a victory in the MLS Eastern Conference final.
So Findley kicked right.
And sure enough, goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra dove the other way, and RSL had the only goal it would need to extend its franchise-record unbeaten streak to 10 games,
including three in a row on the road — a place where RSL once was reduced to all but praying for results.
“It's definitely something we've been working on,” Findley said. “We didn't do too well on that last year and it was one of our goals this year, to improve on our road record. And so far, we're doing the right things. Tonight's game wasn't the best soccer, but we found a way to win.”
Findley has scored in both of his games since returning from the World Cup, and he advanced from being a second-half substitute last weekend in the home blowout of New England to starting against the Fire in place of Fabian Espindola — though Findley was among the players whom coach Jason Kreis said did not feel well, saying his legs felt heavy and without much energy.
But everything felt fine on that penalty kick, the first for RSL this season against four allowed.
“It felt good,” Findley said. “I've taken them before, and I feel confident stepping up to the spot, so I took it.”
