things that you like out of your "steady" central defender.
Through the years though, what I have not known Talley as is a silky-smooth central midfielder. He has been great in this role, especially if you have an appreciation for how he goes about his business. Out of that position, the "defensive" midfielder, every coach has a list of needs:
1) Tactically intelligent positioning, and effort to break up plays. Check.
2) The ability to keep possession, which is vital. Check.
3) Must have the ability to handle the ball with pressure around him, and make the right decisions to keep it on his team. Check.
4) A hard tackler, an enforcer. Check.
5) The ability to play balls over distance to relieve pressure and expose vulnerable areas on the far side of the field. Check.
These are all requirements to do a good job at this position. Talley has excelled at all of these and more.
And the goals ... those are a bonus. Never mind the fact that Talley has perhaps the best goal of the MLS season so far, the 40-yard bomb at home vs. Chivas USA on July 26. It was not a fluke, as he has scored on other occasions. His ability to make final passes that allow others to score goals is also a bonus. The fact that he is very outspoken and demanding of his teammates is further icing on the cake.
Talley has turned out to be a spectacular pickup for RSL, which also added big-name veterans Cunningham, Chris Klein, and Scott Garlick in last year's offseason. I have always respected Talley for his work rate and no-nonsense approach to the game. But his savvy on the ball, the total awareness of what's around him, his comfort level on the ball, and his ability near the opponent's goal, these are all news to me.
Talley has elevated his game to a level that I have never seen before, and everyone involved with RSL should be happy that now is the time when it is happening. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him play in recent months. Because of the position he plays, it is easy to overlook the things that he is doing well. He is not flashy by any means, but he is effective.
RSL is going through a period of great team effort and cohesion, but even when things go well, it is usually necessary for a few people to step up and make a difference. Along with a few others, Carey Talley is doing just that.
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 last October, and now begins his first season with RSL as the team's color television analyst. 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.
