2012 Opening Kick

It's finally here!

RSL heads back out to LA, the place where the 2011 season ended, to start the 2012 version. It should be a really intriguing game, not only because of the two teams involved and their history, but because of the circumstances surrounding the game. LA plays their knockout Champions League series with TFC wrapped around this game. They play at TFC today, Wednesday, then host TFC in LA next Wednesday (3/14). Thus, LA's focus likely will not be fully on this game. They'll likely put their starters out in the TFC matches hoping to advance to the next round while resting some of them, if not all, for the RSL match. That bodes well for RSL.

On the RSL side, though, it's the injuries that are making this game extra intriguing and harder to determine. Alvaro Saborio, Javier Morales, Will Johnson, Nat Borchers, and even Chris Wingert are all listed between doubtful to out. Sabo and Javi are likely to be on the bench as they aren't 100% but they are good enough to sub on. Johnson just had a sports hernia surgery so he likely won't even be in LA for the match. Borchers is still recovering from a nagging hamstring injury and is out likely until April. Wingert, lastly, is the most likely to play. His (nasty) gash could very easily keep him out, but the wound seems to be healing really quickly. RSL would be in much better shape with him on the pitch, so hopefully he gets cleared by the doctors to play.

Thus, we could see a really strange match-up. Lots of reserves out there despite this being the beginning of the season with two top level teams. For RSL, this is what is likely to take the pitch...

Starting XI:
GK: Nick Rimando
LB: Chris Wingert (Tanaka if he can't go)
CB: Chris Schuler
CB: Jamison Olave
RB: Tony Beltran
RM: Ned Grabavoy
DM: Kyle Beckerman
AM: Luis Gil
LM: Yordany Alvarez
FW: Fabian Espindola
FW: Paulo Junior

Bench: Reynish (GK), Tanaka (DF), Cruze (DF), Morales (MF), Velasquez (MF), Arnoux (MF/FW), Saborio (FW)

Key Player for RSL: Paulo Junior

 - RSL has really struggled through the preseason to find the back of the net. I think the defense and midfield has the talent, even with players missing, to get the job done. However, the offense doesn't look too promising without our target man in Alvaro Saborio. Fabian Espindola has proven time and time again that he'll be reliable up top. I'm not worried about him. The issue is can the guy next to him, replacing Sabo, step it up? Paulo lost a lot of his game last season through injury and such. From all reports, though, he is back to full health this season. If he can show that brilliance of the old Paulo out there (great speed, sleek touches, confidence on the ball, etc) then RSL's attack will be just fine. If we are relying on just Espy - who is a hell of a guy even alone but wont be able to carry RSL - then we are screwed when it comes to finding the net. This is a very early test of how deep we truly are up top.

Prediction
RSL 1 - LA Galaxy 1
 - I think RSL has the ability to win this game, especially with LA likely resting players (result against TFC the deciding factor there) but just won't be able to find the net enough to punish them. A draw is a decent result, but knowing that we will likely be facing a less than full strength Galaxy and still not get the full 3 points will be disappointing.

One thing is for certain, I am absolutely excited to start the season back up!

FORZA RSL!

Cheers,

15 to 32

Predictions

This coming Major League Soccer season is one that, on the surface, looks rather predictable. Everyone seems to be buying into this notion that the LA Galaxy have formed a "super team" and will just destroy the league. Even with the injuries, international call-ups, Olympics, etc. people are touting them as untouchable. I'm not buying it.

With the reintroduction of an unbalanced schedule, the Western Conference looking like the much superior side, international call-ups for world qualifiers, Olympics, etc. this MLS season will be intriguing. Which teams can handle the mass of games, not only in MLS play, but USOC and CCL will be the determining factor. As always, injuries can make or break a team (see RSL and Dallas last season) but great coaches prepare for the worst and hope for the best. As such, those teams that have strong proven leadership are what will succeed this season. It's not anything new, per say, but I believe the separation will be evident early on and that some teams will simply get left in the dust.

Predicted Final Conference Standings
Western Conference
1. Real Salt Lake

 - Yeah, I'm a homer, but not one without cause. Look at this RSL team. It's stacked. The first 11, when healthy (key point), can compete with anyone. Even this vaulted unbeatable LA Galaxy team. Fabian Espindola had a bit of a coming out party last year. This year, he's only going to get better. Javier Morales, while still recovering from that nasty ankle injury, is poised to last all season and in the preseason looked to be the same old Javi. Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman, etc etc. This is a team that, honestly, competes at every position with the rest of the league for best player. However, it's not just the individual talent that has me sipping the RSL juice, it's the chemistry and leadership of the squad. Jason Kreis gets the best out of his players, Kyle Beckerman is the best holding mid in the league and probably one of the best captains in the league. This team is built to win. Most importantly, though, is that they won't be dealing with CCL knockout stages early on this season. USOC and CCL play will happen later on, but by that time RSL will be in full healthy (fingers crossed) and full form.

2. Seattle Sounders
 - If there was one team I had to pick that I think would challenge RSL this season, it's Seattle. For whatever reason, our games with them have always featured a lot of drama. Sigi Schmid, despite the "figure", builds greats teams and  this Seattle team is no exception. Rosales is my early pick for MVP of the league and players like Montero and Fernandez are top class. The one area that will hold them up this season, I believe, is goalkeeper. Losing Keller, even with his blunder issues, was a main part of their success over past years. Without him, they'll give up soft goals (no entering keepers ever have amazing first seasons) and lose ground. Add their early CCL match up with Santos and that they play on turf (aggravates injuries) and they'll come short. They'll be a damn good team, but they'll come up short.

3. FC Dallas
 - I have no idea why, but a lot of people are selling on Dallas this year. People throw around Vancouver and Portland higher than them and I simply don't get it. Brek Shea, even if he is gone for the Olympics, will cause havoc again all season. They return their star in Ferreira and have talent on all parts of the pitch. They'll be damn good. Not great, but pretty damn good.

4. LA Galaxy
 - If I could, I'd rate these guys last. However, I have to be honest. They have a lot of offensive talent on this team. In this league, though, that typically means it comes at a cost. And it shows itself in the defense. Yeah, the Gonzalez injury really is the biggest knock, but they have zero depth, especially on the back line. I think the long season will wear on them. Donovan, Beckham, and Keane will all be great but I just don't see how they can stop other teams from scoring on them like they did in the past two seasons.

5. Portland Timbers
 - I'm not high on this team for one gigantic reason: sophomore slump potential. They have it written all over them. They came out last season and, by expansion standards, had a pretty good season. Everyone is thinking they can only go up. The problem, though, is that they are not a new commodity. There is film on the team. There are proven tactics to beat them. I think they'll slide into the playoffs (5 from each conference this season) but they'll not do much more.

6. San Jose Earthquakes
 - I'm not a big fan of Frank Yallop, in fact I think he has ruined the 'quakes quite a bit. However, looking at the additions he's made this season I think they are really going to improve. They'll challenge Portland for that last Western Conference playoff spot but ultimately come short. I also think Wondo will have a much more quite season this year. No competing for the golden boot.

7. Vancouver Whitecaps
 - Like LA, they've stacked up on offensive talent. Their defense? yikes. I think they'll improve (couldn't get much worse) but they'll still be off the playoffs.

8. cRapids
 - Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on these guys, but its more than obvious they are in a transitional stage. The new manager wants to change the identity of the team from counters on the wings to possession. This is going to take time. They'll probably be a lot better than I have them listed here, but I really want them to be bad.

9. Chivas USA
 - They should be better, but they won't be. Chivas Guadalajara is the reason to blame. This supposed partnership doesn't operate even close to what it could/should. I feel bad for Robin Fraser, he has the skills to make a great manager. I just don't see it happening at this particular club, though.

Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Fire

 - A lot of people are low on Chicago. They think they'll make the playoffs, but not really do much. I think this team is built to cause havoc. Add that to the fact that they'll play a much heavier Eastern Conference schedule and this team could really turn heads. The biggest thing I see in this team is their speed. They showed at the end of last season that speed, when used correctly, will cause problems against any team, no matter their tactics. They've added the right pieces around Pappa, have Oduro and Nyarko, and a defense that isn't stellar but can get the job done. This is my surprise team of the season.

2. Sporting Kansas City
 - Sporting really made a strong push at the end of last season. They looked destined to make a similar run to the 2009 RSL MLS Champions. It fell short, but they laid the foundation for a really good future. They are young, and because so I think they'll continue to struggle this year, but they still will be a side to fear. With their setup (no CCL, playing in the East, etc) I also think they are built to be really good in the playoffs.

3. Toronto FC
 - I'm likely too high on this team but whatever. They showed flashes last season of a team that really could compete with anyone in this league. I want them to be good because that fan base up there is really fun when they are into the games. I think they are built to finally make the playoffs and, if the draw goes there way (read hosting warm weather teams) then they could really make a run.

4. Houston Dynamo
 -  This team is hard to figure out. They are going to have a season much like Kansas City did last year with a heavy road schedule to open things before getting their own place and having a load of home games. I think Brad Davis will continue to be a force to reckon with and that their style (physical) will reward them in close games.

5. New York Red Bulls
 - New York has loads of talent. Everyone knows this. Putting that talent together, though, looks to be rather difficult. I think they'll be better than they were last year, but really will struggle to make the playoffs again. I see them sliding in then possibly making some noise, but overall having another disappointing season compared to what their expectations are.

6. DC United
 - I want Ben Olsen to be successful and, honestly, they could be a lot better than I have them listed. However, I just don't see it. I think DeRo will be the life and blood of this team, once again, but that it will ultimately fall short. I am probably way off on this one, but it's just my gut reaction.

7. Philadelphia Union
 - I have no idea where to put this team. I had them as high as 2 or 3 in this conference and then they were right there with Montreal at the bottom the next. It's just too hard to figure them out. I think they'll really struggle. Trading LeToux, even with the contract issues, was stupid in my opinion. I expect the East, especially spots 3-8, to be really tight, but someone has to finish at the bottom.

8. New England Revolution
 - I want to put this team higher but I can't justify it. My whole argument for pushing them up was results in the preseason tournament against LA, New York, and RSL. However, the preseason has constantly proven itself to be a horrible gauge (at least when using results as the basis). I see talent on the team, and I see them being really good in two or three years, but not this year. It's a new group of coaches that need to learn on the job. That typically doesn't produce stellar results.

9. Columbus Crew
 - I see them struggling this year, a lot. They have decent talent on the field, but I think the core group is too old and that they'll burn out as the season progresses. It's time for Columbus to clean house and go into transition. Maybe they'll start that this season.

10. Montreal Impact
 - They are an expansion team, what more can be expected? They have some decent pieces on the team, but building chemistry takes a whole lot longer than the time they've been allotted. They'll be 10 times better at the end of the season than they are at the start, I guarantee that.


Trophy Predictions
US Open Cup: Seattle Sounders

 - They'll buy... I mean win it again. Good for them. Nobody really seems to care.

CONCACAF Champions League: Santos Laguna

 - I think LA will find a way past TFC but fall, like Seattle, to Santos and that Santos will win the whole thing. I see them playing either Monterrey or Morelia in the final. Like last year, I expect MLS to do a push of LA/Seattle saying we, as MLS fans, should support them. In response to that idea I give a big middle finger. I don't want those teams to succeed where we faltered!


Supporters Shield: Chicago Fire

 - Playing in the East will be the determining factor. They won't be better than RSL, Seattle, or even LA on the field, but because they get to play a team like Montreal three times as opposed to RSL/Seattle/LA only playing them once they will succeed.


MLS Cup: no idea
 - This all hinges on form right before the tournament. All you have to do this season is finish in the top five of your own conference to make the playoffs. Ten teams will have a shot at it (yeah, more than half...) If I had to pick, I'd go with Sporting. They don't have CCL on their plate and I seriously doubt they take USOC seriously. If they can't win the SS, I expect them to make a run in the playoffs. Playing on the eastern side, like in the regular season, will benefit them greatly.


Wrap it up
 - I really think this is going to be a really fun MLS season. I see the East really benefiting from this new setup and that the West, also because of the setup, will simply bang itself up throughout the season and not be able to walk away with the two big trophies.

Can't wait for the season to start. Just six days away!

FORZA RSL!

Cheers,

15 to 32

RSL 2012

 2011 was a year of great emotional swings for Real Salt Lake. They started the season as "the team" in the league. They proved this in the opening weeks of league play. Then they looked to broaden that label to not only the league, but the region. That CONCACAF Champions League final series between RSL and Monterrey will live in the minds of RSL fans for quite some time, probably forever. It was, in hindsight, an epitome of the season as a whole. Falling short in so many different tournaments was the mantra of RSL. They were a team many feared, but at the end of the day RSL didn't add a single trophy (save the RMC) to their collection.

2011 was a great season, don't get me wrong. It was a joy to watch the team overcome great obstacles and still fight for the top prizes. It was, at the same time, very exhausting and a bit disappointing. This wasn't only the feeling of the fans, but it seems to be how many of the players and staff felt as well. 2011 was a season to remember, but also a season to forget. It's strange to say, but it makes sense if you experienced it. There were so many highs but also so many lows and separating the two is impossible. The joy of reaching the CCL Final has to also be mentioned in the gloom of watching Monterrey win at the RioT. Watching Javi return to the pitch also has to be associated with his horrific injury. Dismantling Seattle in the playoffs has to also be associated with losing an injury plagued match in LA. etc etc. 2011 was almost equally as depressing as it was exciting. The good was always tainted with the bad, no matter the scenario.

The question thus for 2012 is "what will change". Will RSL continue to be a top team in the league but fall short? Will they take a step back? After a couple of years of being near the top, history would suggest that keeping this high profile is something not very likely to happen. Or, will they defy those odds, and not only continue to be a top team, but rise to the very top and bring some trophies to Salt Lake? It's hard to answer this, obviously, but many can speculate.

Additions and subtractions from the team have been plentiful this year. While the core of the team has remained very much intact, the depth of this team has taken on a completely new image. In the past two years RSL looked to keep pat with their personnel from top to bottom. A few minor changes here and there, but mostly the team looked exactly the same. 2012 is different. Numerous players have been traded, let go, or retired and thus made the depth for RSL 2012 a bit of a mystery. Has RSL brought in enough pieces, and more importantly the right pieces, to not only restore what those players gone added to the team, but also improve upon it? That question can't be answered for quite some time, but a look at each of the pieces can give us an idea.

DEPARTURES

Robbie Russel - Traded to DC United
 - Russell was a key component of RSL's defense in 2011. The guy started multiple games and made it so that the rotation of the 3 outside backs kept our defense somewhat fresh (injuries hampered that). Russell was also aging quite a bit. His legs weren't all the way there, his marking was suspect at times, and his speed dwindled on a daily basis. Losing him will sting, but the Russell we had at the end of 2011 was nothing like the Russell we had come to expect.

Andy Williams - Retired
 - Andy was the last remaining original player for RSL. I, along with many others, were hopeful that he had at least one more season in him. This was not only for soccer reasons, but so that he could get the respectful sendoff he deserved. Sadly, with the salary cap crunch, Andy was forced into an awkward situation. I am very glad it worked out in a way that he was able to stick around. However, I'm sad that I won't be able to cheer #77 on the pitch. Losing Andy wasn't just an emotional blow, though. The guy brought a lot of leadership and veteran qualities that are going to be incredibly difficult to replace. He wasn't supposed to be a regular starter in 2011, but was forced into that with injuries and suspensions. Thus, what we lost on paper (a guy with a lot of starts and minutes in 2011) isn't as bad as it looks. He'll be greatly missed, but it won't be all because of what he brought on the pitch.

Arturo Alvarez - Released
 - On paper, Alvarez coming to RSL in 2011 was a huge confidence booster. Then the paper was replaced with actual game time and, well, it was proven wrong. Alvarez was proof that good players can be a bad fit. In our system of play, players like Arturo Alvarez are going to struggle. His inability to play with his right foot and his poor defending skills lead him to be a permanent bench warmer or, even worse, a guy not even in the 18. Alvarez will make a great addition to a team that plays wing attacking soccer and doesn't emphasize team defense. At RSL, though, he won't be missed at all.

Blake Wagner - Released
 - Wagner was a mid-season pickup that never really got going. The guy had his chances to prove himself, but fell short badly. The guy will find a job on a lower MLS team at outside back. When he does, we know where to attack that team's defense. Wagner just isn't RSL quality.

Nelson Gonzalez - Loan Option not Extended
 - Nelson was one of my hopeful players to make a splash in 2011. The kid has great feet, especially his left, and the ability to slide in and out of spaces with ease. His lack of discipline, however, lead to his demise. He came into the 2011 preseason camp out of shape. Something that will get you right on into Kreis' dog house. Once he finally seemed to be coming around, though, he hit in the injury bug. He never really recovered from this. In the end, it just didn't make sense for RSL to keep the guy. Can't say I blame the staff at all. In the end, we lost nothing in terms of 2011 RSL quality by letting Gonzo go.

Collen Warner - Picked by Montreal in Expansion Draft
 - In 2010 Warner was the surprise player for RSL. The kid showed some great glimpses of talent during the season, especially in CCL group play, and looked to be a player for RSL to mold. In 2011, with the injury of Javier Morales, it seemed that Warner's time had come to prove himself. Sadly, he didn't. While a good player, Warner never really took advantage of the opportunities presented to him in 2011. He'll be a starter at Montreal this year, likely, but we won't really be missing anything but occasional late sub minutes by not having him in 2012.

Raushawn McKenzie - Released
 - McKenzie was the 4th best CB on a team that carried 4 CB's. While he wasn't a bad player by any regards, he also wasn't a good one. He also was the victim of those 3 CB's in front of him. Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, and Chris Schuler are all very good players. The first 2 are 2 of the best defenders in this league (if not the best). McKenzie was there for training purposes and the occasional bench appearance. Losing him really did nothing to RSL 2012.

Overall:
 - RSL lost 2 guys that started on occasion, 2 guys that didn't pan out despite high hopes, and 2 guys that weren't RSL quality. The losses of Williams and Russell will hurt in 2012, especially early on. Those 2 guys were veteran leaders that knew what was expected of them. However, it was time for RSL to move on.

ADDITIONS

Eduardo "Lalo" Fernandez - GK, Homegrown 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X9KKNRzdVc
 - Lalo is a product of the RSL academy in Arizona. The kid went to Uruguay to play for a club and then returned to the states. He is a homegrown player (thus meaning he won't count against the cap) and one that many say could be great for the club in the future. The key word there is future. Don't expect anything from Lalo this year. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a loan with a lower team is lined up once the season starts.

Leone Cruz - DF, traded for with Seattle
 http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/cruz_leone00.html
 - Cruz is a rather unique situation. While we did trade Seattle for his rights, Cruz has already trained and played in some reserve matches with RSL. Seattle originally drafted him in 2011 but it didn't work out. Seattle released the player (with keeping his rights) midway through the season. RSL was unable to acquire him from Seattle during the season and worked a deal to get him by trading their first supplemental draft pick to Seattle. The guy has the benefit of already having played with RSL and thus his chances of actually sticking are higher. However, if he didn't pan out with Seattle and wasn't a must pickup at the end of last year for RSL, he can't be that amazing. He is likely competing for that CB spot that McKenzie vacated.

Diogo de Almeida - DF, drafted 24th Overall
http://vimeo.com/25291602
 - Diogo is part of the recruits to hopefully replace Robbie Russell and, more likely, Blake Wagner. An outside back is desperatly needed on this squad, so Almedia's chances of sticking around are a lot higher than other players. I'm not certain on this, but I believe that he has a green card worked out already thus making it so he wouldn't count as an international. Something that RSL, as you'll see this year, is really going to have an issue with in terms of bringing players in.

Enzo Martinez - MF, drafted 17th Overall, Generation Adidas
http://www.tarheelblue.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/martinez_enzo00.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zGTTdQo1yI
- Enzo seems to be the perfect RSL player. The kid works hard, doesn't care for the star treatment, loves the passing style game, works hard, has great fitness, and did I mention he works hard? The kid is the RSL/Jason Kreis player. I have a lot of hope for this kid, he could be something very special. Watching his highlight packages and a few games from UNC at the College Cup, I know this kid can be a real addition to the squad. Being realistic, though, is a must. Enzo isn't going to be starting for RSL in 2012 much if at all. He is a project, like many of these guys, but one that has a HUGE upside. If there is one player to be excited about in these additions, it's Enzo.

Benjamin Ubierna - MF, Supplemental Draft
 - I can't seem to find much video of Ubierna, but from what I've read and seen he is a bigger midfielder that likes to go down the wings. The theme of a lot of these additions for RSL are speed. Ubierna looks to be the perfect mold of that. His highlight package on mlssoccer.com is pretty lame, but it does show his ability to get in behind the defense and whip in a ball. I doubt this kid will be able to make the final squad, but would love to see more players like him come in on trial in the future.

Sebastian Velazquez - MF, Supplemental Draft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4E42epRZOc
- Velazquez is a very interesting addition for RSL. By most accounts, this kid has a lot of skill on the ball. His size is the obvious issue, among other things, and whether he'll have the ability to stick in this league is a huge question mark. However, it is important to note, the other player that RSL had on their team that was drafted out of junior college was none other than Yura Movsisyan. Sebastian, from all I've read and seen, looks to have enough skill to compete with anybody in this league. How he'll react to being hit by players like Pablow Masterwanky and the entire Houston Dynamo squad is a huge issue. I want the kid to work out. He was on the same youth team as Enzo Martinez and is proof that there are a whole lot more ways to becoming a pro than the typical big club-college-academy routes.

Emiliano Bonfigli - FW, Supplemental Draft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHksXMLx8nY
 - Bonfigli, like Ubierna, is a player that many overlooked in the draft because of his status as an international. I really like that this kid has experience as a professional already. Having played in Argentina will help him greatly. At the end of the day, though, RSL really has their hands tied with international players. Unless he stands out as an amazing player at camp, he'll get past up.


Overall:
 - Enzo is the player to be excited about. The rest, and even Enzo to an extent, are projects that likely won't bear much fruit in 2012 (if at all). It's not likely that all of these guys listed above will even be part of the 2012 squad. Those with international status are fighting for essentially one or two open spots.

TRIALISTS

Samir Bengelloun - DF
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDJL22RKXCs
 - Samir is a trialist for RSL at their preseason camp. He is listed as a winger player on his wiki page. From a highlight video I found of him, he looks to be a speedy left sided player that likes to go forward.  RSL only has one or two available international spots, which Bengelloun would require, and thus looks to be a rather unlikely addition for the actual 2012 team.

Wes Knight - MF/DF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EglescIIycc
 - Wes reminds me a lot of Blake Wagner. A defender dropped by Vancouver that has talent, but probably isn't an MLS quality player. Obviously Garth and Jason see something in him, but not being able to stick on the worst defense in the league in 2011 is not a good sign. I doubt anything comes from this guy. His biggest positive is that he won't count as an international player. It looks like he was used as a midfielder much more by Vancouver, but it's doubtful he could crack the RSL midfield.

Terukazu Tanaka - DF
 - Tanaka is the product of the trip Garth took to Asia this off-season to scout talent. He is a very unlikely addition to the team as he would require an international slot. Many accounts of him (from J-League watchers) are that he is a decent player but nothing too exciting. Maybe he is a diamond-in-the-rough, but I doubt it. I'll be surprised if he makes the senior squad.

Lewis Neal - MF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uhyXMOtPM
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Neal
 - Neal has a very interesting resume. An English player that couldn't really find his way there, bounced over the US. He couldn't land with an MLS team initially, so he tried his luck with Orlando City. He has been one of their better players and looks like he might have the skill to make it in MLS. The issue here, once again, is that he would likely (I'd have to double check) occupy an international slot if added to the team.

Johnny Steele - MF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonny_Steele
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQiROyASsxo
 - Steele is much like Neal. A player from Ireland who couldn't really find a spot there, jumped the pond to the US. In Steele's case, though, this happened all the way back in 2004. He has since played for numerous clubs, both indoor and out, around the country. He has never played for an MLS club and that scares me. If he has been here since '04, he should have been able to find a spot if he had the talent. This looks to be your typical preseason training dummy. Nothing to see here.

Overall:
 - Don't be surprised if not a single one of these players is part of RSL 2012. If by chance one of them does make the squad, also don't be surprised if you never see them suit up for the first team.


CONCLUSION
 - As of right now, just looking on paper, we haven't done much to replace what we lost. It's a scary thought, but RSL honestly didn't add anybody of note this off season. That doesn't mean, though, that this team is going to be worse than last years. While that is a very real possibility, these players are unknown. That blade cuts two ways. They could be great players or they could be awful, we don't really know yet.

I'm hopeful that it'll be a positive year. That these changes were done in an attempt to not only make this team get much younger, but get more fit, more athletic, and most importantly add more speed. The glaring issue from 2011, if I had to pick just one, would be the lack of speed on the squad. Team's defended RSL with an incredibly high line, clogging the middle, and countering down the wings because they knew we didn't have the speed to threaten them. The lose of Robbie Findley killed us in 2011. While Garson won't flat out say it, the objective in 2012 is to not only find a replacement speedy striker (Paulo Junior healthy fits that bill) but to have a lot more speed in the middle to punish team that think they can just clog up our passing lanes and play a high back line.

This team, even without any of the additions, is one of the best in the league.
Our first XI:
....................Rimando
Beltran - Olave - Borchers - Wingert
...................Beckerman
............Grabavoy - Johnson
.....................Morales
............Espindola - Saborio

That's a damn good squad.

The obviously issue is depth. With an injury, are we suddenly a completely different team? The salary cap makes it difficult to find high quality replacements, but it doesn't make it impossible.

I'm hopeful that 2012 RSL will be even better than 2011 RSL. This squad, without the pressure of CCL early and a huge target on it's back can thrive.

FORZA RSL!

Cheers,

15 to 32