That's the question that young keeper Steve Clark is facing. Keepin' It Real has learned that he has been offered a developmental position with the club. However, this could be a temporary spot as the team currently has an open spot and would keep a 4th keeper until another need comes along. Clark also has opportunities with a couple of USL-1 clubs.
When I spoke with Clark he was getting ready to head back to his native Michigan and to weigh the decision. Clark had a trial in Norway just before joining RSL in preseason, first in California, then Florida and now Charleston. Since he has been on the road for such an extended time he needs to take care of personal matters, and take some time to consider his options. He plans to consult with his agent, and a former coach and determine his best path.
"I know I can make it in professional soccer," Clark said and indicated that he just needs to pick the path that gives him the best opportunity.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Steve Clark: Should I Stay or Should I go?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Additional Camp Notes
A couple of items I forgot to mention:
RSL tried to trade for Grabavoy recently, but were excited that they were able to pick him up free through waivers instead. Part of Grabavoy's appeal is his versatility. With the limited roster spots, it's important to have versatility to get the most out of your roster.
No word on the 3rd keeper spot. Right now if we kept all 4 keepers we'd have a completely full roster. Obviously this won't happen. I'm still guessing we'll keep Steve Clark in a developmental roster spot which would leave an open senior roster spot (for El Khalifi?). In addition, Clark was practicing today with Rimando and Seitz. Kyle Reynish was on the sideline working with Nunez who is rehabbing his knee. Not sure of the reason for this, but it does add to the speculation that Clark will win the spot.
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 17, 2009
Updates from Practice: Tuesday Feb 17, 2009
I attended the practice today up at Park City. The most exciting part of the afternoon was the ride up there (because of the snow storm). Here are a few things that I did learn and observe:
- The practice wasn't very intense. They broke into groups and did some drills and had some brief short-sided scrimmage play.
- Jason Kreis was not in attendance.
- Kevin Reiman has been released.
- Only two trialists were in attendance: Steve Clark and Luis Escalada.
- Kennedy Owusu-Ansah has had to return to Hertha Berlin. No word on the level of interest that RSL has in him, or if this is the end of the line.
- Jorginho Paulista and Alexander Viveros also no longer with the team, and it is presumed that their trial with the team is over. I will try to confirm the status of these.
See my thoughts on Clark and Escalada after the break.
Steve Clark seems to be quite athletic. He also finished 2nd in the beep test. In addition, he is a Keepin' It Real reader, so he gets bonus points for that. While it's hard to evaluate a keeper in practice, he seems to have good reflexes, and could give Reynish a run for his money at the 3rd keeper spot.
Escalada does appear slightly on the heavy side (although he was wearing two layers and long sleeves), but it wasn't as dramatic as I was expecting from the earlier reports. He also seems to have a casual attitude in practice. However, I also always felt that Espindola had a casual approach to practice, so it's hard to evaluate. I did notice that he seemed to have a nice soft touch on the ball and a decent shot in the few instances that I saw him in action with the ball.
UPDATE: I have been cautioned about drawing a conclusion about the 3 trialists who are no longer training with the team (I hear the team is actually high on Kennedy Owusu-Ansah).
Monday, February 2, 2009
Escalada and Others to Join RSL in Camp
As reported first on Keepin' it Real, Luis Miguel Escalada is coming to join the team. The surprise? According to Behind the Shield, he'll be coming "in the next couple of weeks". In addition, previously mentioned El-Khalifi, Owusu-Ansah, and goalkeeper Steve Clark will be joining the team. In addition, Jorginho Paulista will be coming aboard after a career in high profile leagues. Luis Miguel Escalada - Coming in after stints with Argentine powers Boca Rachid El-Khalifi - A veteran left-sided midfielder El Khalifi has spent Steve Clark - A 6′2″ goalkeeper out of Oakland University (that’s Oakland Jorginho Paulista - Coming to RSL with an impressive resume that includes Kennedy Owusu-Ansah - 19-year-old native of Canada, Kennedy Owusu-Ansah
Speaking of new faces, the team will have several guys that will join us for training over the next couple of weeks. Take a look below to get a glimpse of who they are…
UPDATE: Viveros is working through visa issues. Expected to join later this week.
Juniors and Ecuadorian sides LDU Quito and Club Sport Emelec, Escalada is a
22-year-old striker from Ceres, Santa Fe, Argentina. He has scored 47 goals over
93 professional appearances.
his entire career in his native Netherlands, scoring 29 goals over 9
professional seasons.
University in Michigan for those who are interested) Clark spent four years,
including three as a starter, at Oakland. Led the Grizzlies to a pair of Summit
League championships and NCAA tournament appearances while garnering
back-to-back all-league honors and a 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award.
stints in Italy’s Serie A (Udinese), Dutch power PSV Eindhoven, Boca Juniors,
and Brazilian powers Vasco da Gama and Sao Paulo, the 28-year-old Paulista is a
talented left-sided player who can play on both the backline and in the
midfield.
joins RSL from German side Hertha Berlin. He is a talented defender who has an
interesting connection to RSL’s current roster - he joined midfielder Will
Johnson in representing Canada at the 2007 U-20 World Cup.
UPDATE #2: Escalada en route. Expected to be in SoCal tomorrow with team.
