Extreme makeover: RSL edition
By: Fitz | February 28th, 2008Forgive the obvious TV pun. I wouldn’t have written it if it weren’t true. That’s why this is a must-read blog; if I have written it, it’s true. I am exactly the kind of guy Franka Potente is looking for. See? All true. Hi Franka! I loved “The Princess and The Warrior”!
Ah yes … this post. I wanted to spell out exactly how much RSL has changed in less than nine months. It’s stunning.
The start date: June 21, 2007. RSL is 0-5-6 (or, as the rest of the world would have them, 0-6-5; the key is the “0″ on the left). They need some talent, and fast. So they do what most teams in MLS do. They call the Galaxy and try to swindle Alexi Lalas. Sure enough, they pick up Nathan Sturgis and Robbie Findley, and two days later they beat D.C. United.
I wanted to track down all the significant moves Jason Kreis and/or Garth Lagerwey have put together since that deal. The amazing thing is, when you look at this list, which I don’t believe is all-inclusive but still pretty significant, you can trot out a realistic RSL starting 10 (all but Nick Rimando in goal).
Plus, nine months is most associated with birth, and this list signifies the rebirth of RSL.
Too much? Okay. Sorry …
RSL, FROM 6-21-07 AND BEYOND
Defense
Chris Wingert, acquired 7-13-07
Matias Mantilla, 8-17-07
Tony Beltran, ‘08 SuperDraft
Nat Borchers, ‘08 offseason
Jamison Olave, ‘08 offseason
Ian Joy, ‘08 offseason
Mids
Nathan Sturgis, 6-21-07
Kyle Beckerman, 7-16-07
Javi Morales, 8-17-07
Alex Nimo, ‘08 SuperDraft
Dema Kovalenko, ‘08 offseason
Matias Cordoba, ‘08 offseason
Forwards
Robbie Findley, 6-21-07
Fabian Espindola, 8-17-07
Yura Movsisyan, 9-14-07
Kenny Deuchar, ‘08 offseason
So what do you think? What’s your starting 10 out of that group? Do you trust that the defense is markedly better, or would you rather see more reinforcements back there? Have you even seen “The Princess and The Warrior”? Why the hell not? Discuss.
KREIS ON THE RADIO
Champions Soccer Radio Network interviewed Jason Kreis on its “The 2 Gs” show. The link to the interview is … wait for it … hang on … be patient … here. I don’t know how long it will be up.
It’s a fairly wide-ranging interview. I particularly was interested in Kreis’ take on the increase in foreign player spots on the roster — especially considering that he’s an American. His view, in short: as a player, he’d hate it, but as a manager, he’s got to take advantage of it.
He also, naturally, discusses some of his newer players, including Kenny Deuchar and the RSL’s preseason leading goal scorer, Yura Movsisyan.
THEES EES HEUW PREESS RELEEEESES SHOULD BE, BORK BORK BORK!
The official RSL Web site has an official release on the U-23 camp and the upcoming trip to Argentina. To spice it up, I used the “Dialecter” suggested on the front page of this site. So here it is, your weekly official RSL update, courtesy of the Swedish Chef. (Click the “Dialectize” button to go there.)
Category: Team News
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
I’m cheating. This isn’t a real comment. I was just tired of seeing the zero next to the comments tag.
Posted from
United States
-
Oh me too! I’ve never seen that movie. No idea why.
Posted from
United States -
Speaking of Extreme Makeover, I just did an LA post comparing our roster on May 4 to today. We have eleven of 26 players the same, and four of those are rumored to be on the block.
Posted from
United States -
———-Rimando————
-Wingert-Olave-Mantilla–Joy-
———-Beckerman———-
—-Cordoba——-Kovalenko–
———–Morales———–
——Deuchar—Espindola—-Bench: Seitz, Borchers, Talley, Sturgis, Williams, Movsisyan, Findley
That is my thoughts on opening day. But, I wonder if Mantilla can play well. If so, then I see the Wingert moved to the bench with Mantilla on the outside and Borchers in the middle
Posted from
United States -
Thanks Craig. Keep them coming, please, people. Lineups, dammit, I want lineups!
Posted from
United States -
Stewart hasnt landed anywhere after being Utahs most eligable bachelor? For shame . . .
Great squad. A veteran d man would help though.
Posted from
United States -
I think our “D” has a quasi veteran presense - Joy, Borchers, Mantilla. I’m thinking the same starting XI as Craig, but I’m less certain Olave will be starting and I’m not sure Espindola is a good pairing with Deuchar.
I’ve heard good things about Olave, but he has yet to practice with the rest of the squad. Until then, I think Borchers and Mantilla will start in the back.
With that said, we could see some very interesting combinations in the back. Mantilla and Olave would have the ‘ish spaniche’ thing going for them, which equals better communication. Olave and Borchers would be an intimidating pairing because they are both over 6′ 3″ (IIRC). One wonders if speed would be a problem with that pairing…
Re an Espindola and Deuchar pairing, I think we’d be too slow up front. If we’re ready to pencil Deuchar into the starting XI, I think we’ll need either Yura or Findley to start.
Overall, I’m liking what I see on paper - we’d have the deepest bench we’ve ever had at RSL. Depending on the nature of the game, our second half subs would allow us a great deal of formation flexibility (e.g., if we need a goal, take out Kovalenko, insert Yura or Findley and go a 4-3-3, or if we are up a goal, stay 4-4-2 or go 4-5-1, take out Espindola, insert Sturgis, Williams, or Talley). I’m especially liking a relative ‘depth’ at the forward position. I can see us using two of our three subs at forward and running at defenses for a full 90.
Posted from
United States -
I have good expectations of Olave. But, I will agree that they are most likely not pencilled in starters. I see Findley as being a good sub for us, but if we want a speed guy I kind of see Yura being the first option. If Cordoba continues to not show much in preseason, I see Williams starting if his workrate has increased as much as it sounds like. If not, then Sturgis/Talley with Beckerman pushed to CMid. So many options, I am liking anything they put out on the pitch.
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
