Real Salt Lake - Midfielders
In 2008 Real Salt Lake found it’s itself, after a few years of revolving doors at almost all positions RSL found itself with a very different look at the end of the year and no place was the change more dramatic than the midfield. Names like Dema Kovalenko, Will Johnson, Robbie Russell, and a returning Clint Mathis found themselves joining Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, and Andy Williams as regular parts of the RSL midfield at the end of the season and in 2009 there is really one major change Dema is gone (along with Sturgis if anyone would notice), but in their place comes Ned Grabavoy, and a pair of rookies that have impressed the RSL staff; Jean Alexandre and Raphael Cox.
Look this season for the midfield to be where RSL shines, with Kyle back at a natural d-mid, Javi creating plays and havoc on opposing defenses, expect a breakout year from Will Johnson, and the combination of two guys who seem to have found the MLS fountain of youth, both RSL originals Clint Mathis and Andy Williams. Then toss in the knowledge that you have quality behind you with Robbie Russell (as soon as he is healthy) and MLS veteran Grabavoy and you can know that you have options. Garth and Jason both have raved about the work ethic and talent of both their remaining draft picks and Jean Alexandre looks to be a quiet but physical presence who played just about every position in college, and Raphael is a small, quick, tough player who won All Pac 10 honors twice in his 3 years at the University of Washington. What an impressive mix of youth and experience, speed and toughness, and overall talent, I expect great play out of our midfield and when you can control the possession and pace of a match in your midfield, you control the match.
Off the pitch Kyle is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, on the pitch foes run into RSL’s William Wallace
I think Will is poised to be the breakout player of the year, and you can learn more about him each Monday at mls-daily.com in his Growing up on the Kop blog posts
One of the most underappreciated players in MLS in 2008, Javi now has everyone’s attention
Clint rejoined RSL in the middle of 2008 and while he didn’t put up any goals or assists, RSL only lost one match when he was in the starting lineup. He looks more fit and focused than ever, and he has put the ball in the back of the net 3 times in preseason.
I will say it now, I am so impressed with Andy Williams, as a player and as a man. Despite facing huge off the field personal issues, Andy has improved his play so much that he was called back into national team duty for Jamaica. I don’t pray much anymore, but I do pray for Andy and his family, there isn’t a nicer person in MLS. If you haven’t been tested to see if you might be a match for Marcia, please do so, for more information see Soccer Unites Utah’s website.
Another midseason pick up last year Robbie Russell proved that he really can play almost any position, off season surgery on his shoulder was a success and he is 100% healthy but still dealing with some lingering pain issues. He will be an important player coming off the bench both in defensive and midfield positions.
Joining RSL is Ned Grabavoy, who played for San Jose last year he had 4 assists in just over 1700 minutes of play
Also joining RSL in 2009 is Raphael Cox, at just 5′ 6″ he is small but a very gritty player, it will take time to know what impact he will have on the 2009 season.
Many experts were surprised when RSL took Jean Alexandre who played his college ball at Lynn University, Jean has been capped 3 times for the Haitian National Team.
Not with RSL this year is Alex Nimo who was loaned to the Portland Timbers for the year, hopefully the playing time will help him get back on the U20 National team and continue in his development.
Comparing with the rest of the West:
Chivas - Last week they started Marsch, Nagamura, Trujillo, and Braun and both Chivas goals were scored by Paulo Nagamura. Normally Sacha Kljestan would have played in the midfield but Chivas is still suffering from a number of injuries. The Goats also have Sasha Victorine, Jorge Flores, Gerson Mayen and rookie Michael Lahound who played for Wake Forest.
Colorado - In their match against Chivas the Rapids started Pablo, Medhi Ballouchy, Nick LaBrocca, and Colin Clark. Not playing was Terry Cooke, one of the best crossers of the ball I have seen in MLS, Ivan Guerrero, Greg Dalby, Ciaran O’Brien, and Nico Colaluca. There is a lot of youth there and the question is can they live up to expectations?
FC Dallas - I think that perhaps the best off season trade in MLS was Dallas picking up Dave van den Bergh from New York, and with him there to help the development of young players like Andre Rocha, Dax McCarthy, Eric Avila, and Bruno Guarda. Then factor in Marcelo Saragosa, who is currently out with an injury and Dallas has an interesting mix of youth and experience, I think Rocha could be a huge star in MLS and with DvdB on their roster they will have some great creative players in their midfield. FCD may have the most improved midfield in the West this year.
Houston - If Dallas has improved their midfield, then the Dynamo letting DeRo go to TFC may lead to the biggest collapse of what was one of the best midfields in 2008. Houston still has Ricardo Clark (if he can stay out of trouble), rock solid Brad Davis and Brian Mullan, but can Stuart Holden become a star and fill the big shoes of DeRo? No way, not this year, Stuart is a talented kid but he is no DeRo. Can other young players like Corey Ashe and Danny Cruz step in to help out, what about John Hayden who has been with Houston for two seasons but only seen action with the now defunct reserve division.
LA Galaxy - With Beckham off playing in Italy, Bruce Arena was quick to pick up Dema Kovalenko from RSL, and Stefani Miglioranzi from the Crew to join midseason pickup Eddie Lewis and 2009 draft pick Kyle Patterson. Josh Tudela has moved into the starting line up for the Galaxy and while Landycakes is listed as a forward he really is the creative midfield leader. On paper if you could have a starting midfield of Lewis, Dema, Landon, and Beckham it would be impossible to find a better midfield in MLS, but all that talent (minus Dema) wasn’t able to get LA into the playoffs last year, and without a solid defense and a lot of improvement they may not make it again this year.
San Jose - Like Dallas the Quakes have made some moves to compliment what they did last year and they could have the best on the pitch midfield in the West in 2009. Darren Huckerby had 6 goals and 4 assists in 2008 and only played in 14 matches, Arturo Alvarez also joined SJ late in the season last year but scored 3 goals and had 3 assists. Rounding out the midfield is Shea Salinas and Ramiro Corrales, who both are back from the 2008 side. New additions include Simon Elliot returns to MLS after spending time in England, and also coming back to MLS is Bobby Convey, if these two can fit in and add to the efforts of Alvarez and Huckerby, then watch out San Jose might be able to make a serious run towards the playoffs.
Seattle - So last week everyone watched as SSFC beat down New York in their first match, with Freddie “underwear” Ljungberg out it was Brad Evans, and 3 guys from the USL who started the first MLS Sounders match. Those three are Sanna Nyassi, Sebastien Le Toux, and Osvaldo Alonso, SSFC also have Peter Vagenas, Stephen King, and former RSL’er Nathan Sturgis in support. This group is young (minus Vagenas and Ljungberg both 31), but they have talent, will it be enough to endure the MLS season? Probably not, they simply won’t have the ability to mesh until later in the season, and teams will take advantage of their inexperience.
I think San Jose and RSL have the two best midfields in the West, with a slight edge going to RSL simply on the depth factor. Injuries will happen and being able to have depth in your midfield with veterans like Andy Williams, Robbie Russell, and Ned Grabavoy will be key over the long MLS season.
Coming Soon Forwards- due to tomorrow being a travel day (heading to Seattle) there is a good chance that you will not get my look at the RSL forwards until Friday afternoon/evening. Until then
OFF MY SOAPBOX
This entry was posted on March 25, 2009 at 11:32 pm and is filed under The soapbox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.