I've more than once mentioned that our midfield play in past years has been an exhibition of flow, finesse, tactics, and skill similar to that of a 4 year old girls AYSO bumble-bee league. Though in those bumble-bee leagues at least the uninterested are weeded out of 'competitive' play due to the newly acquired interest found in butterfly that just landed on little Jessica's shiny new cleats. We had no such luck with players such as Medhi Ballouchy much of last season...he touched the ball all the time. Whenever he touched the ball I prayed for him to begin the pursuit of a career in lepidopterology (the study of butterflies)...by the end of the prayer the ball was already at the feet of an opposing player.
This season the team is promising us more change than the Obama campaign. Out is Ballouchy and in is Beckerman, Dema Kovalenko, Javier Morales, and Matias Cordoba (maybe, see below). Garth and Jason describe the midfield as being full of possession players which follows with promises of smooth flowing futbol by our guys. No, really, smooth flowing possession soccer by Real Salt Lake. Stop laughing, this is the serious part...you were supposed to laugh at the butterfly comments. Oh...you thought that was the team preview?
Well this is the 'meet & greet' team preview section of RSL-mid fielders 2008...
Kyle Beckerman (wiki) 5' 10" - The Beckerman-Ballouchy trade didn't work out too well for Colorado, worked out well for Real Salt Lake, and worked out very well for Kyle Beckerman. He is a fan favorite and gave us hope for this season. Possibly equal to the importance of his on field performance will be his ability as a leader...the combination of his hard work, tough play, and ball holding ability makes him a prime candidate for team captain. If nothing else his acquisition pissed of Colorado fans to high hell and continues to do so through today...priceless. After some of our trades over the past couple seasons I think I'm going to market "I love Fernando Clavijo" t-shirts with the RSL logo. I'll be rich.
Javier Morales (wiki) 5' 9" - So...who is Javier Morales? Well, we did see a couple of brilliant goals by the guy before he got bit pretty hard by the injury bug. Now we absolutely need him to step up big for the team this season. If he doesn't step up Andy Williams is our only other real option at Attacking-Mid which if Andy is going to start I'd really prefer that he is on a wing...we need somebody that is going to create goals. And Morales did have a goal against Newell's Old Boys down in Argentina which is a good sign. I have seen speculation of either Espindola or Indra fulfilling the A-Mid position if Morales doesn't live up to the hype...I argue back that the ball will never pass the quarter-field mark if that happens.
Andy Williams (wiki) 5' 8" - Williams coming to play this season? From all reports he came to pre-season camp in great shape and is ready to go. Andy has been a great supersub, but hasn't been able to fill a consistent starter's role in his three years here. We all know that he has moments of brilliance...I will never forget some of the things I've seen him do with a ball in game time situations and I won't forget his 50ish yard goal last season, but he also has a tendency to disappear in some games.
Matias Cordoba (wiki) 5' 9" - The big unknown in the middle. We are repeatedly told how good he is, but pre-season play has told another story. I'm getting pretty close to feeling a 'Luis Tejada' flavored episode of déjà vu. The reports out of camp have not been positive when assessing his fitness levels and in the scrimmage against NOB he only saw time with the reserve team. I did see that his middle name is Jesús...that should count for something in SLC, shouldn't it?
Carey Talley (wiki) 6' 1" - 2006 was great for this guy...2007? Not so much. In 2006 towards the end of the season he took the reigns of the runway carriage and helped RSL finish the season strong helping fans believe promises of a new and improved RSL in 2007 (sound familiar). 2007 didn't end up being a very good year for Talley who seemed to lack the tenacity and leadership from the previous year. It has been reported he has been taking night class over the off season at the University of Utah...not sure what it means, but just thought I'd mention it.
Kenny Cutler (wiki) 5' 9" - With all credit to Kenny this kid is like a cockroach...he can't be squished. He would probably be a really good USL player, but in MLS he just doesn't quite have what it takes to contribute regularly yet he is on the team year after year. When asked about that Jason Kreis tell media that he contributes in ways that can't be seen on paper or statistics. Maybe he bakes well. (Should RSL sign anybody else to the senior squad Kenny would likely be the first to go, but we've said the before too)
Sturgis (wiki) 5' 10" - He likely won't be with us much of the season as he will be hanging out with Seitz and Findley with the U-23 US Olympic team, but it really shouldn't matter too much. There have been a few reports he may not make the U-23 team as they still need to shed four players from the current roster, but that could only be good for RSL to have one more option at D-Mid.
Alex Nimo (wiki) 5' 5" - You'd have to be heartless to not want this kid to succeed. If you haven't read the recent SL Trib article about him you should. His height is a definite disadvantage, but it sounds like his work effort and fight compensate. Unlikely he will see much time this season, but it would be great to seem him as a star in a few years.
Well that is all...tell me who you think should be the starting four...or if you have time name the 11 you want to see take the field March 29th.
Hold the DAMN ball!
