Why he's an underdog.
With the acquisition of Kenny "The Good Doctor" Deuchar, most of the national media attention seems to be on Deuchar and sophomore striker Robbie Findley as the odds on favorite for the starting postion. However, I think many knowledgable RSL fans understand that this race is much more wide open than that.
Why I'm rooting for him.
REASON #1: Intensity! Although it was a really dumb move on his part, I loved the passion he showed as he collected a red card last year after knocking Pat Onstadt to the turf in our match against Houston last season. This was at a point in the season when the heart and effort of many players was in question. From the moment he joined the club, he never stopped hustling.
REASON #2: Ability! His combination of speed, size, and even skill could make him a deadly attacker in this league.
REASON #3: Background! Although I don't know all of the details, I can only imagine what he has gone through. Yura is of Armenian descent, and grew up amidst the instability of Azerbaijan before his family came to the US under political asylum in 2000. Upon arrival in the US he began playing the first organized soccer of his life - a few short 7 years ago! Recently his father has had some health issues and this makes me want to pull for him even more this season.
REASON #4: We need him! In certain circumstances, Findley may not be a good option from a tactic standpoint. Findley will also likely be away from the club quite often with the Olympics looming. In addition, Findley has had a few bumps and bruises since he joined RSL, and may not endure an entire season fully healthy. As for Deuchar, he seems like the 'Real Deal', but can he adapt to our style of play or can we adapt our style of play to fit him? Either way, having Movsisyan playing as a real threat can only help our chances this season. Let's face it - we need goals!
