Offseason moves shore up RSL midfielder corps

AZUSA, Calif. — Of Real Salt Lake's many offseason acquisitions, perhaps the most important is the one least publicized.

Perhaps that is because midfielder Douglas Sequeira doesn't speak English, so hasn't been interviewed on local television and radio stations.

Perhaps he isn't garnering much attention because in the court of public opinion, how good can he really be if he played for Chivas USA last year. After all, Chivas sent Sequeira to RSL for Brian Dunseth, who was then traded to L.A. not long ago for a measly supplemental pick.

So how good can he really be? Well, for Salt Lake's sake, the Costa Rican international might just be the key to the season.

"Douglas is a huge piece of the puzzle. That was a big hole for us," said RSL coach John Ellinger about his new holding midfielder. "Every time he played against us as a holding midfielder, I thought he was a brilliant player. He's intense, he works the entire 90 minutes regardless of the score. (Chivas) had 22 losses as well, and I never saw him quit, ever."

RSL's holding-midfield position wasn't terrible last year. Unfortunately for the now-retired Brian Kamler and then-rookie Kenny Cutler, they just didn't get any defensive help from the attacking midfielders.

While Clint Mathis critics are quick to point out his lack of offense last year, his teammates knew the real problem was his lack of defensive responsibility. That put a heavy burden on the holding midfielders, and they just weren't experienced or adept enough to handle the constant pressure.

Sequeira, 28, is a regular on the Costa Rican National Team, and he's expected to make the squad for the World Cup this summer. While Sequeira's extended absence could create some problems, Ellinger has options with Carey Talley and Cutler.

Another major problem last year was on the wings. RSL was the second-lowest scoring team in MLS, partly because quality crosses into the box from the wings were so rare.

RSL addressed those deficiencies in a big way. By acquiring Chris Klein, a U.S. National Team bubble player for this summer's World Cup, and then Mehdi Ballouchy, the No. 2 overall pick in January's SuperDraft, Salt Lake added instant creativity to its wings.

During his eight-year career with Kansas City, Klein was known for his tireless work rate up and down the right sideline and his dangerous crosses into the box.

As for Ballouchy, regardless of his MLS experience, he's proven that he belongs on the field.