RSL's defense should be improved

AZUSA, Calif. — Just like goalkeepers take the brunt of criticism when things aren't going well, so do defenders.

As a whole, not much went right for Real Salt Lake in 2005. Its 65 goals-against was the second-highest in Major League Soccer, and only two better than Chivas USA. Salt Lake coach John Ellinger knows the blame doesn't fall solely on the defense, but those guys aren't immune from the blame either.

Whether it was inexperience, constant lineup shuffling, a porous midfield or a goalkeeper few defenders had faith in, RSL's defense had some serious issues.

In addition to addressing the midfield inadequacies and the keeper woes, Ellinger added two more important pieces to his defensive puzzle. In addition to keeping a good chunk of last year's backline, Real acquired Carey Talley and Danny Torres in the offseason.

First and foremost is Talley. The eight-year MLS veteran has played several positions during his career, and so far this preseason he's been a rock at central defender.

"He's good with the ball, he communicates well and he brings a certain level of intensity," said Ellinger.

He also possesses a little more pace than Brian Dunseth, who the club traded to Chivas at the end of last season.

Talley will team with Eddie Pope centrally on opening day, and Ellinger's counting on their experience as former D.C. United teammates and nearly two decades of MLS experience to help overcome their limited time together this preseason. In 15 games the last two months, Talley and Pope were only on the field together for 135 minutes.

Salt Lake's opening-day starting outside backs will be Chris Brown out right and Danny Torres out left.

Brown's emergence on the backline further reiterates his diversity. A forward most of his career, Brown settled into a midfield role for Salt Lake last season. Toward the end of the year, Ellinger was faced with a shortage of defenders, so he started Brown at right back. Little did he know he was solving the first piece of his 2006 puzzle.

In just three games, Brown won himself a starting defensive spot the following year.

Torres' emergence on the other side of the field has been a pleasant surprise. With Paul Broome out until the summer following ankle surgery, RSL was kind of in a jam at left back. Gustavo Cabrera seemed like the logical choice, even though he's right footed, followed by rookie Willis Forko.