After a season worthy of being forgotten, the Real Salt Lake management decided to make drastic changes in the squad, hopefully resulting in a more cohesive and dynamic team. With renewed expectations and aiming for a triumphant campaign, RSL is ready to start its second year in Major League Soccer.
Real had a very busy and productive preseason, already considered successful by many observers. The reality was that the team needed to inject new talent in all its lines, but it especially needed to reinforce the back line.
As a result, the club decided not to renew the contract of D.J. Countess, where, despite a season of proven ability, the young goalkeeper lacked consistency. So while it looked as if Real could no longer afford to wait while Countess was developing and maturing as a goalkeeper, that seemed to be borne out when they acquired Scott Garlick from FC Dallas, a seasoned 'keeper with a winning mentality.
"I think that my best quality is that I don't like losing," Garlick said. "I have never liked losing and that's been an important part of my career. I like not losing even more than I like winning".
In addition, Real exchanged players with rival expansion outfit Chivas USA. Brian Dunseth was sent to Southern California, who despite his good performance, was plagued with injuries and couldn't adapt to the defensive style of head coach John Ellinger, in part due to his lack of speed.
In exchange, RSL received Costa Rican international Douglas Sequeira as well as Christian Jiménez. Sequeira has the attitude and the fighting spirit to fill the holding role in midfield and help contain opposing attacks, one of the weakest points in 2005.
But the changes didn't stop there. Less than a month later they sent midfielder and World Cup veteran Clint Mathis to the Colorado Rapids in exchange of Jeff Cunningham. Although at first glance the trade seems unbalanced, it was more of a tactical than logical decision. RSL needed goals and Mathis only scored three in 27 games last year. Cunningham hit for 12 goals and should make the perfect complement to Jason Kreis.
Real Salt Lake have become a more solid and experienced team in the back, but it will be the depth of the bench what will become the key to success this year. With three players in the starting lineup seemingly destined to play in the World Cup, the reserves will be the ones in charge of maintaining the continuity and rhythm when the World Cup participants (Chris Klein, Eddie Pope, Douglas Sequeira) are away.
If they can get to a good start as last year and begin to gain some points, RSL will no doubt be able to fight for one of the top spots in the Western Conference. If not, the team will face the old and expected problems. But Ellinger is keeping a positive mentality.
"I really feel that we have depth when referring to the reserve players," Ellinger said.
With the addition of Klein (who came from the Kansas City Wizards), RSL get a needed boost for the attack, but the real success of the midfielder relies on the performance of Andy Williams. And that is indeed one of Ellinger's biggest questions -- will it be the Williams who looked tired over the first half of the season, or the one who successfully led the attack during the second part of the campaign?
"What ultimately changed for me was that I really felt completely healthy," Williams said. "It's really difficult to play with pain."
With all the changes, reinforcements and especially with the experience acquired during the first season, Real Salt Lake see a new and bright future on the Wasatch Front. They hope the new perspective will convert into victories on the field.
Daniel Advincula is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
