RSL’s Season 2008.1 – Sounders, here comes Real Salt Lake

By: Rocky Cole | March 28th, 2009

Laurie, who blogs for the Seattle Sounders has a nice preview of today’s first match of 2009 for real Salt Lake as they face the league’s newest team. She saw the same thing that struck me about RSL’s approach to the 2009 MLS season, which could be summed up as: “If it works, don’t f*@!k with it!” Whether it is just Jason Kreis’s pragmatic philosophy or it is the outcome of ownership’s realization that the team is progressing nicely, or some other mystical factor, the result is that RSL has the core players from last season on the pitch this season. You could say that RSL decided that they had so much success in 2008, that season 2008.1 wouldn’t be a bad thing. Kyle Beckerman has the same feeling, according to some recent comments where he indicated that taking the pitch this season feels like an extension of last season. One thing that I would add to Laurie’s pre-game forecast is that RSL has a solid defense in 2008 and has managed to keep the core together for 2009. Just looking at the Goalkeepers – Starter Nick Rimando and Chris Seitz, RSL has a back up keeper in Chris Seitz, who would be starting at probably half the MLS teams. So, check out Laurie’s preview that is linked above, and here’s my comment on what she had to say:

Laurie, nice preview of RSL and a good mention of Jason Kreis’s philosophy of keeping the core of the team together. A few new players were added to the mix, like Ned Grabavoy from the San Jose Earthquakes, but for the most part, Kreis could field a team this year with the same names you’d likely have seen last year. RSL’s offense became solid and consistent last year, and this year the same players are there. Movsisyan and Morales are definitely the players to watch on offense, along with Findley who is starting up top. They are dangerous at all times. But the other strength that RSL brings to the table is a very strong defense. Rimando or Seitz in goal… either one… just don’t make mental errors, and the back line with Borchers Wingert, Beltran and Olave are as strong as any in MLS. I wish I could be sitting next to you at this game, but I will be at the Earthquakes and Dynamo game tonight. As I said elsewhere: My prediction is for a battle – both teams want a win pretty badly for different reasons. This will be a good one.