and saying on the KSL broadcast -- "what a difference a year can make." Although the team is largely unchanged, the level of play, in the first half especially, was so much higher, and again, much more confident. The new players added to the level and the returning players were another year better, that much more of a cohesive unit.
Freddy Adu added something to the attack early in the game, but faded a bit due to injury as the game went on. Watching him on Saturday, I couldn't help but think about Cristiano Ronaldo in his first year at Manchester United. Ronaldo had tons of skill but his decision making was so immature that he was effective only in spurts. The rest of the time, he was turning over the ball when there was absolutely no reason to do so.
Adu, though very skillful, and excited to be with a coach who allows him "to be Freddy," needs to continue to work on his decision-making, to allow his team to keep the ball more. He added some very good things in spurts, but too often lost the ball trying schoolyard tricks, when a simpler decision was probably in order. Ronaldo did the the same thing early in his career with Man U. Today, a few years later, he may be the best player in the world. Having that skill is essential, but knowing when and how to use it is the key to unlocking opposing defenses.
The other new player also had an interesting day. I am a huge fan of Nick Rimando. I love his athleticism, and his ability to make the unbelievable save. I think he is a great communicator, and he has fantastic feet. In short, I really like all that he has to offer as a goalkeeper. Having said all that, I didn't think he had his best day. I am used to seeing a more decisive Nick Rimando, one that doesn't hesitate. I know that he will be better, so that should not even be a worry.
Together, Rimando and Adu add a great deal of experience and ability to RSL. That, combined with the growing maturation of Ballouchy, make RSL a completely different team. The fact that Jeff Cunningham has two goals after his first game, as opposed to scoring his first last year in the fourth game and his second seven games in, also bodes well for this team.
I am not too concerned about the last-second goal that cost RSL two points. This is still a team that has to make winning a tradition within their hearts, and that takes time. They are still fighting the demons of a couple of years of expansion and overhauling. With a few more performances like we saw in the first half, the confidence level and swagger will appear, and RSL won't drop points like that. Belief in oneself and one's teammates plays a much greater role in sports than the average person can possibly fathom.
The 2007 edition of RSL is clearly better than either of the previous teams. "Playoffs or bust" is the mantra, and they are poised to do better than they ever have. Clearly there will always be the unpredictable factors, such as injury, fatigue and things of that nature.
Real Salt Lake has a significantly better team, and barring the unforeseen, it should yield a significantly improved year.
Robin Fraser, a five-time MLS Best XI selection and two-time MLS Defender of the Year, ended his 10-year MLS career and 16-year professional career after the 2005 season as a member of the Columbus Crew, and now continues his second season with RSL as the team's color television analyst on KSL and FSN Utah. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Fraser amassed 27 caps for the U.S. National Team and was drafted fourth overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the inaugural MLS draft.
Comments? E-mail Robin and the entire RSL broadcast crew at fun@realsaltlake.com, and your e-mail could be featured in the Computech "Fan Feedback" feature on all RSL on KSL and FSN Utah broadcasts, as well as on KALL 700 AM.
