With the departure just 5 days away it has been a busy off-season for the Spanish Royals. California and Florida are now taken care of and everyday our roster gets closer to the finished product. Though there are still a few things that can change...Garth Lagerway (GM) is in Europe right now doing a bit of scouting. I'm sure he'll come back with Ronaldinho and Henry, but until then here is a look at a few RSL tidbits.
- I don't know what he did this off-season, but Yura Movsisyan looks like he has come to play this year. He has scored in most of the pre-season friendlies and just looked really sharp. If you want to see what I'm talking about you can watch some of his pre-season outings here on YouTube. It is worth noting that his competition has been below MLS standards, but he still looks very quick and comfortable with the ball.
- I really hope the team comes back from Argentina with a fairly solid starting eleven so that the last two weeks before our opener can spent working on chemistry and cohesiveness. Wouldn't it be amazing to watch RSL link passes together like a professional soccer team should...AND IN THE SEASON OPENER!
- I don't know if he'll even make the roster, but I can't help but cheer on Singaporean striker Indra. Despite some early physical issues due to humidity and jet lag he has been able to score in each of the last two friendlies and seems like he really has the ability to hustle. Though when looking at RSLFO comments about the guy it is looking like he has about as much chance to make the final roster as an American has the chance to get away with graffiti in...well...Singapore.
*Update* Indra's chances may be a bit higher than originally indicated...look here.
- I'm not sure what I think about RSL acquiring Ukrainian midfielder Dema Kovalenko from New York, though if his reputation stands true he can replace Atiba Harris as RSL's Golden Fist Award Winner as our new yellow (red) card accumulation king. Though if the cards are accompanied by some talent I won't mind the occasional indiscretion nearly as much. And there is something that always makes a trade seem a bit more sweet...the New York fans seem to be upset with the deal.
- With RSL playing July 3rd rather than on the 4th of July this season I really think we should have moved our 'firework' day to July 9th...the Argentine Independence Day. If Mantilla, Cordoba, Morales, and Espindola all start that would make them the 'majority' nationality on the field if Olave, Yura, Dema fill slots leaving only Rimando, Beckerman, Borchers, and Joy as the American representatives. I really only consider Joy half Yank (have you heard him speak?) so that makes it Argentina 4, US 3 1/2.
- Preseason takes too long.
GO RSL!
A few thoughts before Argentina...
