International Roster Spots

RSL has two players officially on the roster currently taking up international slots: Jamison Olave and Javier Morales. The team has a total of 7 international spots available through the end of the 2009 season. This leaves 5 spots potentially available for international players. The team could use all of these spots or they may keep at least one in reserve in case they wanted to make a move during the summer transfer window. As of right now the team currently has 6 international players vying for spots:

• Luis Miguel Escalada (Striker, Argentina) - reported to be in the process of signing a contract


• Alexander Viveros (Defender/Midfielder, Colombia) - former teammate of Olave


• Kennedy Owusu-Ansah (Defender/Midfielder, Canada) - Canadian YNT teammate of Will Johnson


• Rachid El-Khalifi (Midfielder/Striker, Netherlands/Morroco) - Currently under contract w/ SC Cambuur in Dutch 2nd Division


• Jorginho Paulista (Defender/Midfielder, Brazil) - Strong international resume


• Futhi Bhembe (Striker, Swaziland) - 3rd in NCAA in scoring last season

What are your thoughts? Does the team use all of its spots? Which of these players makes the cut?

Keep in mind that the salary cap is another important constraint. In the next day or so we'll try to take a look at the knowns and unknowns of RSL's current salary cap status.

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A Few Small Camp Tidbits

I was hoping to get some camp info today, but unfortunately my contact there has fallen ill. There are a few things that he did pass along:

• Viveros was again delayed because of visa issues.
• Apparantly Viveros and Olave are close. I know that they played together for two seasons, but I hadn't really thought about this. If Olave's girlfriend and child are still not here, this could be really welcome for Olave.
• Escalada and Jorginho are very friendly, and are extremely excited about the opportunity with RSL and with MLS.

In addition, my source is very familiar with the Ventura County team. He gave me his impression of Alexandre. He believes that despite the backlash about the pick, Jean will be a very good player in the league once he adjusts to that level (yes-he may be biased). He told me to imagine a player like Findley but with strength and size that can play with their back to the goal.

FINALLY- Check back often. On Sunday we'll have insight coming directly from the match.

Sun., Feb. 8 – RSL vs. Ventura County Fusion – 8:00 p.m. MT

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Alexander Viveros Arriving Tonight

Just a tidbit coming from camp in Ventura: Alexander Viveros is arriving later today. While excitement abounds about Escalada and Paulista, by all accounts Viveros is a capable, experienced player also with an impressive resume. He could fit into a defensive midfield role.

It appears that everyone else is in camp.

Look for updates here on Keepin' It Real from camp in the next couple of days.

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Other Camp Notes

Nothing tremendously noteworthy about today's practice. They broke into two groups, one group going through drills while the other group did strength training, then they switched.

Nobody did anything spectacular in either a positive or a negative manner, however there were two young players who were noticeable:

• Brennan Tennelle - To be honest, he didn't impress me much in training or in reserve play last season. However, he appears to be serious about this season. He's very thin, but extremely strong. He was going after every ball and showed hustle that lacked in some of the other players.
  

• David Horst - Had some good moments in drills, but what stood out was his leadership. He seemed to take the rookies under his wing and was very vocal in coaching them during the drills.

Many of the headline names were on light duty including Morales, Movsisyan, Findley, Mathis, and Russell. Of course Russell is coming off of surgery. I know that Findley picked up a bump or two during his trial with Brondby, and Movsisyan seemed to be complaining of some pain. I'm not sure if Mathis or Morales were injured or just kept out of the action because of their veteran status.

No sign of Olave, Viveros, Owusu-Ansah or El Khalifi but all are reported to be joining them in California as the team departs tomorrow morning.

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Training Camp Invitees

TRAINING CAMP INVITEES

In addition to the draft picks, these are the 3 players added to the training camp roster that were not with the team in 2008. Both Viveros (4 Colombian Nat'l team caps) and Owusu-Ansah (another young Ghanian phenom) have interesting backgrounds. Hertel was thought by some to be a sure draft pick in the Superdraft but was not selected.


DAVID HERTEL, D, Holland, MI, 5' 9", 175 lbs
DOB: 3/7/1996
Last Club: Michigan State

Strong, fast and a lefty, Hartel emerged this year as a top teir defender in the Big 10 with the Spartan’s conference title. After starting his career at Kentucky as a part time starter, Hertel red-shirted in 2004 and went on to be a three year starter for State.2008: Big Ten First Team. (courtesy www.3rddegree.net)



ALEXANDER VIVEROS, D/M, Cali, Colombia, 5' 10", 170 lbs
DOB: 10/8/1977
Last Club: Talleras de Cordoba, Argentine 2nd Division

BACKGROUND: Deportivo Cali, Racing (Argentina), Cruzeiro (Brazil), Boavista (Portugal) Nantes (France) and Grasshoper (Switzerland). Colombia selections from 1996 to 2005. He was captain of the U-23 in 2000, was in the 1999 Copa America, the World Qualifying 2002 and 2006 and was captain of the Seniors in a match against Mexico at Azteca Stadium in 2002 (courtesy: Deportivo Cali ). Interview in Spanish



KENNEDY OWUSU-ANSAH, D, Toronto, Can, 5' 8", 141 lbs
DOB: 7/20/1989
Last Club: Hertha Berlin, 2nd Bundesliga


Off the Pitch: both of his parents were born in Ghana... grew up playing soccer and basketball... enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies... favourites have included Cafu, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Lionel Messi - “all guys who can change the game” - Barcelona, Kobe Bryant, Toronto Raptors... (courtesy: CanadaSoccer.com) Article: Andrea Canales

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