Real Salt Lake Preview

I have been excited for Real Salt Lake every single year. But, my excitement for the 2008 year has a much different vibe. This year, I believe Real Salt Lake can be one of the top teams this year. Before, I was more on a hope that the changes the past regime made were going to push us to the playoffs.

I think one of the main reasons for my "next-level" excitement for Real Salt Lake is Garth Lagerway. Garth has shown his dedication by traveling around the world to sign players from Scotland (Ian Joy), Colombia (Jamison Olave), Argentina (Matias Cordoba), and currently trialing a Singapore Star (Indra Sahdan Daud). Another major step made was his availability to the fans by hosting face-to-face chats and online chats that has seemed to increase fan support for the team from the BigSoccer boards. This leads to where my entry is going.

The next step for RSL is to now produce the results on the pitch. And, I think they need a couple people to step up as being consistent contributors.

One of them is Kyle Beckerman. He has shown his determination and hustle last year to help us gain a little confidence on our way out of the 2007 Season by bringing home the Rocky Mountain Cup. However, I think if he is a little stagnant or weak coming out this season for us, this could be one of the downfalls of our season. I understand we have depth at D-mid with Kovalenko, Talley, Sturgis, but I see that Beckerman is the mold of what Kreis is turning this team into. A bunch of hustling, dedicated and tactical professionals (or crack-addicts with a purpose if you prefer). I expect Kyle's play to relatively match the team's play.

Another one of our needed contributors has to be at forward. One of our forwards need to step out of the mediocrity and place themselves as our day-in-day-out starters for Real Salt Lake. I think Yura Movsisyan is on his way with his great start to the pre-season. However last year, he had his opportunities and could not capitalize. Robbie Findley has been getting great experience with the US Nationals, not to mention perfect finisher of the ball when behind the defense. However, I have seen him as a skill-specific forward that has troubles with back-to-goal. Fabian Espindola has shown great skill and decision-making, but has lacked temper-control and speed like Movsisyan and Findley. Kenny Deuchar is coming off of a solid season in the Scottish Premier League, but won't have more than a month with the team before the season begins. Though, I believe Kenny will be starting because of his back-to-goal skills. Kreis/Lagerway have mentioned the increased emphasis on possession soccer, and a guy like Deuchar will really boost that.

For people looking from the outside-in, I think a couple of stand-outs this year will be Yura Movsisyan and Javier Morales. I believe these two will become MLS-household names by the end of the year. Javier didn't get much time last year with the nagging shoulder problem (But, I won't forget the unbelievable free-kick from 20-25 yards out with just a few minutes left to tie up a game), and Yura missed his chances last year. But, I believe Morales has great vision and is top-notch at placement. Movsisyan has huge athletic upside with only his confidence and youth seeming to hold back his soccer skills.

Feel free to rag on my thoughts and predictions by leaving comments below. I encourage constructive-criticism (and obviously compliments too).