one of the league's best backups -- waiting in the wings.
DEFENDERS
Matias Mantilla: One of three Argentinean players acquired last year by Real, Mantilla started nine times in 10 games with RSL. He is one of the holdovers in a rebuilt backline and should still see plenty of time at the center back position. Mantilla played well in his return to Argentina a few weeks ago and looks to have the inside edge over Jamison Olave for now.
Ian Joy: Joy, signed away from German club St. Pauli, fills an immediate need for RSL at its left back position. Beyond that, he brings intangibles this franchise is looking for in a defender -- a solid work ethic and a rugged style of play. Joy played a big role in helping St. Pauli move from the third division to the second division and the hope around Salt Lake is he will take his new team to greater heights as well.
Nat Borchers: Borchers returns to MLS from Norwegian club Odd Grenland after a previous stint with the Colorado Rapids from 2003-06. He is the most likely candidate to fill the void left by retired Eddie Pope. Borchers showed he can also contribute on the offensive end, after scoring a pair of goals during the team's recent exhibition tour in Argentina.
Chris Wingert: The former Hermann Trophy winner is the likely starter at right back. He went to the playoffs while starting for the Rapids in 2006 and no doubt earns the edge for now because of that playoff experience. Wingert could find some competition for minutes, however, from rookie Tony Beltran.
MIDFIELDERS
Javier Morales: Morales is the kind of attacking midfielder any team loves to have. He distributes the ball well and he can be counted on to deliver accurate and well-placed free kicks when those situations arise. RSL welcomes having his relentless energy on their squad and should enjoy having a full season of it in 2008.
Kyle Beckerman: Beckerman's acquistion from the Colorado Rapids last summer was one of the first steps in Kreis' quest to infuse new blood into his team. His energy, skill and tenacity helped solidfy the central midfield in RSL. One question ahead of Beckerman is if he can stay healthy. He started all but one game after coming to Salt Lake last year, but was hobbled by a bruised left foot during part of the preseason.
Dema Kovalenko: Kovalenko did not welcome his trade to struggling Real initially, but the former New York, Chicago and D.C. United midfielder fills a hole on the outside for RSL. Assuming he warms up to Salt Lake, Kovalenko's veteran experience will help in close games. You can bet if he doesn't there are plenty of players -- including veterans Carey Talley and Andy Williams -- who will slide into his spot.
Nate Sturgis:Sturgis is one of the more versatile players on the RSL roster. He can alternate between defender and midfielder as needed. Sturgis will likely be gone for some stretches during the season while playing for the U.S. U-23 national team, so his absence will allow more minutes to veterans like Williams and Talley or Argentinean newcomer Matías Córdoba.
FORWARDS
Robbie Findley: Findley returns as one of the team's primary strikers based on the scoring potential he showed at times in 2007. After being acquired in a midseason trade, Findley led Real in goals scored. His performance earned him a spot on the U.S. team going to the Summer Olympics in Beijing. A point of emphasis for Findley in his second MLS season will be developing more consistency.
Kenny Deuchar: This import from Scotland has the RSL coaching staff salivating at the life he could potentially breathe into a once anemic offensive attack. Deuchar has been nothing short of a scoring machine during his stint in the Scottish Premier League. In 90 games playing for Gretna, since 2004, he scored 63 goals.
OUTLOOK
Real Salt Lake has taken great pains to overhaul their roster and believes they have finally assembled a team capable of finally getting the club that elusive playoff berth. If anything, RSL should have a more rugged defense with veterans like Joy and Borchers leading the way. Offensive success could hinge on how well Deuchar adapts to MLS play.
GRADING THE SEASON
It will be a good season in Salt Lake if the team finally plays past October. After three disappointing seasons, it's playoffs or bust. It will be a bad season if RSL implodes quickly like in 2007 and spends another postseason at home.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
Kenny Deuchar. RSL celebrated Deuchar's signing with great fanfare because he could be the striker that finally solves some of the team's scoring issues from a year ago. A licensed physician, he was nicknamed Dr. Goal based on the way he scored almost effortlessly. Real will need the same kind of production from Deuchar to keep pressure off its defense.
-- John Coon
