From Deseret News archives:

Real Salt Lake: Western Conference Final

Published: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 12:07 a.m. MST
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RSL: Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers have been the rocks of RSL's back four all year, with Borchers playing in every game but one. On the wings, Chris Wingert and Robbie Russell are both expected to play a large role pushing up into the attack.

EDGE: RSL

Goalkeepers comparison

New York: Danny Cepero has been a nice story since filling in for the suspended Jon Conway in the last few weeks of the season. He came up with some huge saves in both legs of New York's series victory over Houston.

RSL: It's tough to beat Rimando's playoff experience. Not only does he have a championship to his credit, but he's played in 14 playoffs games as well in his career. There's no way pressure should get to him in such a game.

EDGE: RSL

Coaching staff comparison

New York: Juan Carlos Osorio has been an assistant coach in the EPL and has seen soccer played at its highest level. It wasn't a smooth season by any means, but he's coached a team to the conference finals for the second straight year.

Story continues below
RSL: Jason Kreis has made tremendous strides in his second year as Real Salt Lake head coach. His team owns a 3-0-4 record in its past seven games and has really emerged as a dangerous attacking team in the past couple months.

EDGE: New York

Bench comparison

New York: None of New York's reserves are household names, but there's talent and experience on that bench with guys like Gabriel Cichero and Juan Pietravallo. Macoumba Kandji and Matthew Mbuta were quality midseason acquisitions as well.

RSL: With offensive impact players like Andy Williams, Robbie Findley and Fabian Espindola, the RSL coaching staff has the luxury of making some significant tactical changes if necessary. There isn't much defensive depth.

EDGE: RSL

Recent comments

The biggest "edge" we've got going tonight will be the volume of our...

Crowd Volume! | Nov. 15, 2008 at 11:39 a.m.

Much appreciated D-News. Great job! You've really got the Trib...

Full90 | Nov. 15, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.

Fasten your seatbelts folks this could get crazy. Did I read that...

T-Bone | Nov. 15, 2008 at 8:07 a.m.

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