James Edward is reporting that Luis Escalada will indeed be signed for the remainder of the year prior to the April 15th contract decision date. Not a surprise as word from the organization in recent weeks has been that they like what they have seen.
The surprise however comes at the news that another striker will be joining the club. Edward is reporting that striker will be none other than Fabian Espindola who will rejoin the club after his recent sojourn to Venezuela. Of course, if you are a regular reader of Keepin' It Real you knew that we had first discovered this as a possibility back in January. I'm glad to hear that it's really going to happen.
If both of these do indeed get finalized next week, and Ian Joy and Robbie Russell return to the pitch soon this becomes a pretty stacked club. Many of us questioned the club's direction during the offseason, but with the early quality (and somewhat unexpected) performances of Mathis and Findley, and with Espindolas reported return the team appears to have the attacking quality that some of us feared they would lack.
What are your thoughts on this development?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Escalada Stays, Espindola Returns
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Projected Starting Lineup
Based on the starting lineup used against the Austin Aztex, I think the beginning of the season Starting XI is pretty clear. It looks essentially like this…
| FW: | Movsisyan | Findley | |||
| ACM: | Morales | ||||
| MF: |
| Johnson | Mathis |
| |
| DM: | Beckerman | ||||
| DF: | Wingert | Borchers | Olave | Beltran | |
| GK: | Rimando |
Ian Joy appears to be out 4-6 weeks due to a hamstring injury that has been bothering him all preseason and was re-aggravated during the match against the Aztex.
Borchers has also been suffering from an injury to his ankle from the bone spur surgery that he underwent in December. However, he played in the Aztex match and appeared to be moving fine.
Robbie Russell appears back to full health and could be in the mix as well.
I’m okay with this lineup, but I could also see a couple of alterations as the season moves along.
First, although Findley and Movsisyan appear to be clearly the best two forwards at this point, I wouldn’t mind seeing Findley come off the bench in certain matches. Not only do I like the concept of Findley bringing his pace in against the legs of tired defenders, but I think Escalada provides something that Findley and Movsisyan don’t. He is a more technical player and can get into the mix of the tight passing game that RSL employs through the midfield. From my brief observations in Charleston and at practice, Escalada shows signs of being a precise finisher (although we didn’t see that against the Aztex). Like most people I’m not sold that he can do it in this league, but I’m ready to see him in some real action.
Second, I am torn between Ian Joy at left back or Tony Beltran at right back, with Wingert sliding over to the left. I like Ian’s grit and experience, and he’s a great professional to have out on the pitch. However, Ian doesn’t have a lot of pace and seems a little hesitant at times to push forward. Beltran on the other hand is inclined to push forward at every chance. This can be good, or bad. He can get caught out of position, but his pace and recovery ability can make up for his occasional defensive lapses. We’ll see how Beltran does during the first few matches of the season.
There are some other players that I am also interested to see how they fit into the mix:
- Ned Grabavoy – it didn’t seem like he was really fitting in yet with the group in Charleston. I’m curious about what contribution we’ll see out of him this season.
- Andy Williams – I assume that we will see a similar reserve role out of Andy where he comes in late in matches to either help close out a game with his ability to help the team hold the ball, or in pressing for a goal.
- Robbie Russell – a talented player, with a lot of good experience. I think he’ll play a lot this season in fill-in roles, but he doesn’t have a designated position which may keep him from being a regular starter anytime soon.
What are your thoughts?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Training Camp Updates
Here is an update from training camp. I wanted to especially focus on how the roster looks to be sitting with the impending contract/budget compliance date coming up for the league on Monday. I will also post something later on that analyzes how I think the roster will look come March 28th.
GENERAL
The team is looking good. It appears that at this point the focus has been on the same diamond 4-4-2 formation that we saw last season. The returning players appear to be very comfortable in these roles. There is more of a focus on wing-backs with Beltran, Joy and Wingert filling in out wide. Speaking of Beltran - one observation is that he is vastly improved. Look for him to be a contributor this season.
ROOKIES
Cox - I heard some comparisons to Tony Beltran from a season ago. A quick player that can play left-back or left-wing. Has a good soccer knowledge, and a high confidence level. Seems to be adjusting well to the pro level, although there is definitely still a learning curve. He's more of an attacking player than Beltran, but look for him to make the roster.
Alexandre - No updates on him, but since he is already signed by the league, he's a lock to make the roster.
TRIALISTS
Escalada - As reported earlier, his fitness is improving. The team reportedly likes his finishing ability (despite the missed PK). Look for him to move on in the game of Real Salt Lake Survivor and stick with the team through the Charleston Tournament.
St. Preux - Again a marginal, developmental player. I'm guessing it's a long-shot that he'll make the team, especially if the team is high on Escalada. If he makes the Charleston roster it will be a minor surprise.
Salazar - Appears to be an average player, but he is a left-sided guy. As of now, Will is likely the starter at this position, and the team would ideally like to see him playing on the right. The team would also like to add a true wide player to go along with Will's tremendous enjoy and Javi's technical ability. If Salazar makes the team, it's likely just to add depth and it may be a temporary move which brings us to...
El Khalifi - As reported yesterday, the team is still active in negotiations with him. I assumed that there was a big rush to get him in for the last few weeks of pre-season. I'm sure they'd like to do this, but also don't write-off the possibility of him joining at a later stage (either prior to the April 15th window close or even during the summer window). I think the bringing in of a left-sided midfielder in Salazar is an indication that the team is looking for an insurance policy at this position.
Clark - No update on this player (as keepers tend to be off in their own little world during practice), but I think we'll know all we need to know by next Wednesday. I would be surprised to see the team take 4 keepers to Charleston.
INJURIES
Morales- has a minor injury, and is being held out largely for precautionary measures. Unknown at this point if he will play in the exhibition tomorrow.
Nunez - recovering from surgery.
Borchers/Russell - Both appear to be back at around 90%, and are participating fully in practice.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Preseason Final: RSL- 4 : 0 - U of Tampa
The match just went final in Tampa. Not surprisingly it sounds like domination by the pro side. Mainstay players mostly played sparingly. Goals by Nimo, Johnson, Escalada and Movsisyan. Read more about it on Behind the Shield.
One more tidbit: the RSL side saw the addition of Colombian midfielder Carlos Salazar to camp. More info to come
