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Player – Current Grade
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Reason for Grade
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How to Improve
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Kyle Beckerman – B-
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Kyle scored 3 goals in the first part of the season, but since then has gone cold on the scoring front. He is the team captain, and his on field leadership has been good.
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Kyle is a warrior and as the leader of this team he must find a way to keep the team focused both at home and on the road. Much is expected of him by fans and the staff; he must step up as he was doing earlier in the season.
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Kenny Deuchar – D
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RSL is finally learning how to use Kenny as a target player, but so far it hasn’t shown up on the scoreboard. Kenny has proven to be valuable on set pieces both on offense and defense, but he is here to score goals and that he hasn’t done
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Much like I said in my last review, Kenny has to keep calm and disciplined. His temper and frustration levels have risen in recent weeks, as he still hasn’t found the scoring touch. The quality of balls being played into him has gotten better, and the goals should start to come.
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Fabian Espindola – C
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Fabian’s grade drops not for any reason other than his injury. He has been out of the line up with a knee injury for the last 5 matches. With the Olympics coming up Fabian will have a chance to get back into the lineup if he is healthy.
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Recovery from his injury is number one on the lists of priorities for Espindola. Before he went out, his first touch had improved and his grit and willingness to battle is unquestionable.
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Robbie Findley – B
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Robbie came on as a sub in the San Jose match, and quickly stepped in and won goal of the week and player of the week honors. He also scored the winner in the RSL vs. Chivas match to get the first road win of the season
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Moments of brilliance have been happening when Robbie is healthy and on the pitch and teams are watching him. Making good passes when defenders collapse on him will be critical to team success. Robbie has probably done enough to get himself back on the US Olympic team, but a few more goals in the next couple weeks would cement the decision.
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Javier Morales – B+
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Javi is not only the star of the Javi and Kyle video clips, but his 7 assists are best in MLS and should earn him a spot on the All Star team. As the highest paid player on the team he along with Kyle, have become the on field generals and lead this team to be more productive. Well done
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Morales has to continue to be creative and needs to be a bit more willing to take shots on goal. The only way his grade can go up is to make the All Star team, and to continue to lead the league in assists.
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Tony Beltran – B+
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Tony came in when Ian Joy was injured and has not given the spot up since getting his chance to play. Despite the own goal made against KC, he has done well in moving forward in attack, but is quick enough to get back in defense.
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A little better decision making will help Tony become a better player. Someone also needs to help him get a haircut.
Tony also needs to work on his crosses, he has shown the ability to get the ball into dangerous places, and now he needs to do it more often.
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Nat Borchers – B-
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I said it before Nat is an animal and the chemistry between him and Olave has been one of the main reasons for the improvement in the RSL defense, he has played every minute of the season for RSL. He has done all of this without getting a yellow card. Impressive
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I am still waiting for Nat to step up offensively on set pieces. He should be able to be a target player on corner kicks and set pieces. His continued leadership and solid play on the back line must continue. Mental lapses like the NE match have to be eliminated.
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Matias Cordoba – C-
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Matias has gotten more playing time in recent weeks with Andy and Javi out of the line up. He has shown moments of great play but tends to only be good for 30 or so minutes. More is expected of him.
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Well he has become the top offensive option on the bench for RSL, he has played well but not enough to impress fans or staff into getting significant chunks of playing time. He will have to get some assists or goals and not in the reserves to get the additional playing time.
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Kenny Cutler – C
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Well Kenny has continued to get playing time as Sturgis is still out injured. He has played OK off the bench and is a fair player for a 3rd string d-mid. The “ginger ninja” has improved his passing as he has gotten more playing time; he still has to work on positioning and ability to recover defensively.
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Kenny still lacks the grit of a Dema, but he has shown a lot of heart when he gets in. The rust is gone and he is a decent player off the bench. Expectations are low and Cutler isn’t doing much to raise them. I would like to see a bit more passion from him when he gets in.
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Ian Joy -I
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The red card against Dallas may have been what pushed Ian to the bench, and he simply hasn’t gotten back into the starting 11 since then. It has been a long month for Ian who appears to be chomping at the bit to get back into action.
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Ian will have to find a way to either position himself better in matches, or find some hidden speed to recover defensively. Those two things along with the improving play of Tony Beltran have kept Ian on the bench. RSL’s new tactic of being more aggressive and attacking has hurt Ian’s chances of being a major part of the team.
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Dustin Kirby - I
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3 minutes of playing time is simply not enough to comment on.(no changes)
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He works hard and is doing well in the reserve division; perhaps the upcoming friendly matches will get him some playing time.
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Dema Kovalenko – B-
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Dema has shown he can play the D-mid role or play outside in attack. He has been a rock in the midfield for RSL, and despite getting his 5th yellow card (which will mean no Dema for the Houston match). He has shown that he has a rocket for a shot, but he needs to play set pieces into other players when the distance is too much.
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Dema has to play in control at all times. His twenty shots have resulted in only 5 being on goal, either better shots have to be taken, or he will have to do more passing.
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Matias Mantilla- C-
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Matias is a passionate player, but the recent play of Olave and Borchers have left him on the bench. He has to understand it is a long season and his chances will come again. Hard work in practices and staying fit will be important as he gets chances to come off the bench.
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I am not sure what factors other than his injury may have lead to Olave getting a shot at the starting role, but Olave isn’t giving up a spot in the first 11 without a fight. Mantilla has to stay upbeat and work hard to get his place back. Olave and Borchers will need breaks as the summer wears on, and RSL could have the best trio of centerbacks in the league
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Yura Movsisyan – C-
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Injuries have hurt Yura, but he is back healthy and with the ongoing injury to Espindola and the challenges Deuchar is having, Yura may get another shot at being a starter. He will have to remember to take advantage of passing as well as shooting. Yura has a very competitive attitude and I think he still could be a real force for RSL.
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Staying healthy and fit will be important. Yura will get more playing time in coming weeks.
One major knock on Yura is that he fails to pass the ball, I have no doubt that he feels if he scores he will get more playing time. A sign of a young player, helping your team win will get you playing time. Let’s hope Yura gets this soon.
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Jamison Olave – B+
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It seems that many of the issues keeping Olave from doing well early in the season were problems with communications. It appears those issues are resolved and Jamison knows what Jason wants from him. His reputation in the league has exploded as Olave has become one of the best center backs in the league in just a couple months. Let’s hope the loan turns into a long term deal
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He is proving a force on set pieces and if he can finish a couple into goals he will be the brightest spot on the roster this year. He has impressed fans and opponents alike with his smart and physical play.
Bravo for Olave
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Nathan Sturgis – I
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Shame that the injury is still holding Nathan from playing, I am hoping he will not be a player whose career is hampered by injuries.
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One thing: Get healthy
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Andy Williams – B-
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He may only have one assist, but his creative flair in the midfield has caught everyone’s attention again. Including that of the Jamaican national team that he recently helped into the next round of World Cup qualifying. Better shot selection will be important and more work on crossing the ball into the box for the target players.
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Andy has worked well with Morales when given the chance, and while he still sometimes gets a bit disconnected from the team play concept. Andy is brining a spark of life when he is on the pitch.
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Chris Wingert – B-
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As the defense has gelled more and more, you can give a lot of credit to the play of Wingert. He knows when to move up in attack and when to stay in defensive support. His crosses have gotten better in quality, now we need more quantity.
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Chris has a great feel for the match and is a fiery force on the pitch. A little more work on set pieces and crosses will only make him a bigger threat to opposing teams.
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Nick Rimando – B
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Nick has to be getting a bit bored lately. As the defense has improved he has faced fewer shots than he did early in the year. The nice thing is he still is making great saves. This has dropped his GAA to 1.27.
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While the communication has gotten better miscues like last weeks goal by Cristman are unacceptable. Nick needs to keep up the solid efforts in goal, having Seitz in the wings has got to help him keep the edge on his play.
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Tino Nunez – B-
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I don’t think anyone had expectations of Tino this season, but due to injuries he was forced into action. He responded with his first MLS goal and a game winner over the best team in MLS New England. Impressive
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Continue the hard work and be available to fill in when needed. Anyone who can score 3 goals against BYU can’t be all bad.
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