Real Salt Lake: Team keeps looking for right mix at forward

When Real Salt Lake finally signed the target forward they were seeking in the final month of the preseason, it naturally raised another important question: Who would be Kenny Deuchar's best strike partner option, Robbie Findley, Yura Movsisyan or Fabian Espindola?

Four games into the season, the answer to that question is still unknown.

"I think it's too early to say who's best to play with who," said Deuchar, who has played 90 minutes in each of the past three matches.

In his first 90-minute outing at Chivas USA three weeks ago, Deuchar started alongside Findley and the result was a 3-1 loss. Last weekend, the two started and played 90 minutes again, and the result was a 1-0 loss.

For whatever reason, the duo doesn't appear to be clicking.

"We didn't really have too much time together in the preseason, and we're really using these games to get used to how we play," said Findley. "We kind of have an idea how each other plays and what coaches want us to do. ... If we keep doing what we're doing, we'll be all right." alright."

Coach Jason Kreis agrees that the Findley and Deuchar pairing is still a work in progress.

"I think for any two forwards, I know from personal experience, it takes a bit of time to know where the other is going to want you all the time," said Kreis.

For as much as Deuchar and Findley have been given the opportunity to succeed together, on paper the duo of Deuchar and Espindola has produced the best results. The two started in the 4-0 thumping of D.C. United two weeks ago, and the two instinctively seemed to work well together.

The two would've again gotten the starting nod at Toronto last weekend, but a questionable Espindola was scratched from the lineup the day before because of a hamstring strain. He's still being slowed by the injury, and he had an MRI Tuesday morning to make sure there wasn't more damage than previously thought.

With his status still up in the air, it would seem like Findley or Movsisyan would be in line for the starting nod at D.C. United this Saturday. Deuchar says he's fine with whoever gets the nod.

"Hopefully we'll develop a few good partnerships not just a specific one," said Deuchar.

INJURY UPDATE: Nate Sturgis, who left last weekend's game at Toronto in the opening half hour, said his hamstring injury was only a strain and he's hoping to be back in a couple of weeks. Ian Joy is still being bothered by the bone spurs in his ankle, and he practiced on a very limited basis on Tuesday. The same injury slowed him last week, but he still started against Toronto.

GETTING KICKS ABROAD: RSL rookie Alex Nimo wrapped up participation with the U.S. Under-20 National Team in Portugal Friday by playing the final 45 minutes of a 4-0 loss to Portugal at the Campos Verdes International Tournament.

Nimo played 90 minutes in the United States' first game last Tuesday, a 3-1 loss to Cape Verde Islands. He did not play in the team's next match, its only win of the tournament.

Nimo is expected to rejoin his RSL teammates later this week.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com