Real Salt Lake has become a powerful club in the MLS the past few seasons. RSL has reached the MLS Cup Playoffs the past three seasons, including capturing the MLS Cup in 2009. Unlike many MLS squads, Real Salt Lake's roster looks very similar to the way it did in 2010. This season, expectations remain high in Utah and with a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals and perhaps a spot in SuperLiga, the opportunities are plentiful.
CONCACAF Champions League
Real Salt Lake must ready itself early for the 2011 season. Its season will start nearly a month earlier than most other MLS squads. Real Salt Lake will take on fellow MLS side, the Columbus Crew, in the first leg of its quarterfinal tie in the CONCACAF Champions League on February 22.
Real Salt Lake has made it clear that winning the Champions League is the club's top priority. Kyle Beckerman, a 28-year-old midfielder, is also excited about the opportunity, according to this January 27 Salt Lake Tribune story. “It’s like we have another chance at the playoffs right away."
“It’s going to be completely different than what we’ve ever done,” defender Nat Borchers said. “It’s exciting, though, because normally when you play preseason games, they don’t mean anything other than, you know, a game for fitness or a game to get the dynamic back on the same page. Now these games mean something ... The focus is there from Day One.”
High Expectations for Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake's 31-year-old midfielder, Javier Morales, believes that RSL has what it takes to win the treble, according to this February 5 MLSSoccer.com story. “I think we have the tools to achieve it,” he said on FutbolMLS.com's Tiro Libre podcast. “But when you talk about the team, it depends a lot on the mental state of the squad and how we start [the season]. If we get through the CONCACAF Champions League, then it could lift our spirits and push us to fight for every trophy.”
Real Salt Lake believes their chances of advancing through to the semifinals are better because they are playing the Crew, another MLS team in its preseason phase. RSL will not have to face a Central American squad that is in midseason form until later in the tournament, if they advance.
Arturo Alvarez Joins the Attack
Alvaro Saborio, a 28-year-old Costa Rican striker, earned the 2010 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award. He scored 12 goals last season and also earned the club's first-ever Designated Player contract. Saborio is coming back from off-season knee surgery but hopes to join the club before its CONCACAF Champions League match against Columbus. The Salt Lake Tribune quotes General Manager Garth Lagerwey in a January 22 story as stating, "at this point, there is no doubt ‘Sabo’ will be ready” to play the Crew next month.
Robbie Findley, who was featured prominently in the United States run during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has left the squad and now plays for English club Nottingham Forrest in The Championship. Despite his absence, Real Salt Lake has many other dangerous attacking options. Joining Saborio in the attack is veteran midfieler-attack Arturo Alvarez. Alvarez has played the past two MLS seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes. He believes he will fit in well in Real Salt Lake's attack-oriented style of soccer. This February 10 Soccer By Ives post quotes Alvarez, “I would say that being in San Jose and coming here (to RSL), it’s a little bit of a different style. I think it’s going to suit me better.”
A February 1 Salt Lake Tribune article reports that RSL coach Jason Kreis believes that Alvarez looked more comfortable in the midfield rather than at a forward position. If this is the case, this may lead to Argentine striker Fabian Espindola moving back up top. Espindola scored six goals for Real Salt Lake in 2010. Lagerwey has shown confidence in Espindola, according to this February 3 Deseret News report.
"Fabian might've had the best camp of everyone we have. He didn't have a great last day, but was very, very good other than that," said Lagerwey. "We feel like we've built it the right way, if Sabo can't go, we have other guys who can."
The Midfielders
Kyle Beckerman, team captain, is back for his fifth season with Real Salt Lake. Beckerman, known by many for his hairstyle, is one of the top midfielders in the league. The defensive midfielder was named to the MLS All-Star team in 2010. Will Johnson, who made the 2009 MLS All-Star squad, will join Beckerman in the midfield. However, Johnson may have to leave the club during the season as he is a major part of the Canadian National Team's plans for the Gold Cup, which will be played in the summer of 2011. Javier Morales is another probable starting midfielder for Real Salt Lake. Morales is hungry coming into this season as he had to sit out the second leg of the playoff loss to FC Dallas because of a red card.
Olave Leads the Defense
Jamison Olave returns for the 2011 season after capturing the 2010 MLS Defender of the Year Award. Olave is a dominant figure in the back for Real Salt Lake and is expected to have another fantastic season in 2011. The Colombian defender was the leader of a back line that allowed only 20 goals, setting an MLS record for fewest goals allowed in a single season. Real Salt Lake did not concede more than two goals in any game. Olave is also a threat on set pieces, scoring three goals in MLS play and adding one in CONCACAF Champions League group play.
Goalkeeper Nick Rimando played a large role in the tough RSL defense last season. Rimando was named to the 2010 MLS All-Star team. Rimando recently signed a contract extension with the club, ensuring he will be with Real Salt Lake until 2013. Last season, Rimando posted a 0.67 goals against average and recorded 14 shutouts.
Gregory Morgan - Gregory Morgan is a writer who currently lives in Hattiesburg, Missississppi. He is interested in a vast array of topics. His favorite ...
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