Real lineup may include youngster

Just two weeks removed from receiving his high school diploma, 16-year-old Nik Besagno seems poised to make his highly anticipated debut in Major League Soccer.

Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger said Thursday the team probably will give Besagno his first-ever start with the team should RSL defender Eddie Pope play in the United States' World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica on Saturday.

If Pope is unavailable for the MLS game, RSL likely will shift to a 3-5-2 formation in the second game of the double-header at Rice-Eccles Stadium against FC Dallas. That lineup would feature two holding midfielders — Brian Kamler, in his usual spot, and Besagno.

"We're kind of leaning that way," Ellinger said about starting the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. "He's 16. He's going to make mistakes — we know that.

"But he brings some dimensions. He's obviously comfortable with himself and very confident. He brings some bite to the midfield."

Ellinger said he most likely would bring Besagno into action unless Pope doesn't earn his 68th appearance for the U.S. team, in the first game Saturday, preceding the MLS match.

"(Pope) is probably the only variable," Ellinger said.

If Real does shift to a 3-5-2, it would be the second time Salt Lake has shuffled its starting-lineup formation this season. RSL started the year with a 4-4-2 before shifting to 4-5-1.

"We're obviously looking at ways to make us better offensively," said Ellinger.

The concept of starting for Real could be a huge proposition for Besagno, who got his car, a Honda Civic, on Thursday.

"You got to be a little nervous," he said, "but I can't wait."

If Besagno does make his debut Saturday, it could be in front of more people in an MLS stadium than probably he'll see for a long time.

"It's going to be a tough situation with close to 40,000 people in the stands," Ellinger said, "and if he makes his debut, that's a pretty interesting amount of pressure on a 16-year old. . . . Every player is going to have to make his debut sooner or later."