From Deseret News archives:
Real S.L. signs veteran defenders
Brian Dunseth played for Bodens of the Swedish Second Division last season, and was named the player of the year. Senad Halilovic is a 22-year-old Bosnian National Teamer who is an imposing force at 6-foot-4.
"We are counting on both being key members of the team," said Pastorino.
Dunseth spent seven years in the MLS with New England, Columbus and Dallas, before being released by Dallas after the 2003. Even though Dunseth was released, MLS teams own the rights to players who leave the league for two years.
Therefore, even though Dunseth played in Sweden last year, Salt Lake traded Dallas a fourth-round pick in 2007 to acquire the 27 year old. RSL could've waited until Dunseth became a free agent in February but would've risked losing him to another MLS team.
"John (Ellinger) coached him at the youth level, and he was on the Olympic team in Sydney that John coached," said Pastorino. "He's a very solid, young American player with international experience from youth national teams."
Halilovic is a relative unknown to Salt Lake's coaching staff, but not to coach Ellinger's friend — who happens to be Bosnian, and a former professional coach. During a recent conversation, Ellinger's friend informed him about a young Bosnian player looking to advance his career.
"The MLS doesn't have the resources to scout internationally as much as we want, so you can't just hop on a plane and fly to Bosnia," said Pastorino. "That's why you learn who you can trust and who you can't."
Ellinger trusts his friend, and assuming Halilovic's visa goes through, he'll be in Florida for the opening of RSL's training camp in February.
"He could be a real gem," said Pastorino. "We can't wait to get him into camp and see what skills he has. The value of having a big imposing defender like that is indescribable."
E-mail: jedwardx@desnews.com
