Utah native once again battling to make team

ORLANDO, Fla. — Joey Worthen is no stranger to being on the bubble. He was the last player added to Real Salt Lake's roster last year, and if the Utah native is going to make it in 2007, it might have to be under similar circumstances.

RSL's training camp roster is deeper than it's ever been, and Worthen is in the hunt for one of the last remaining roster spots.

On Tuesday, he helped his cause with a second-half goal and assist during RSL's 4-3 victory over the University of Central Florida.

"I think it's still early in the preseason and I'm not as sharp as I'd like to be, but I was able to get on the board with a goal and an assist, which felt good," Worthen said.

One might expect Worthen to be preoccupied with the uncertainty regarding his future with the club, but he's got bigger goals in mind.

"I'm not content with where I am," said Worthen. "If I know that I'm going to be on the team, that's not good enough. I want to be in the 18-(man game-day lineup), and then if I'm there consistently I want to break into the starting lineup."

During his MLS rookie season last year, Worthen appeared in only three games for a total of 29 minutes. The biggest thing Real's coaching staff asked of the former Cottonwood High star last year and again heading into training camp this year was to get better on the defensive side of the ball.

Worthen believes he's improved quite a bit defensively, in addition to learning to play smarter. In the end, no matter how impressive Worthen performs in training camp, other factors may prevent him from earning one of the coveted 18-man senior roster spots.

Among the criteria RSL coach John Ellinger will use to decide whom to keep is a look at the previous two years.

Last summer, a slew of injuries to several of RSL defenders forced the club to trade rookie midfielder Ryan Johnson to Chicago for Jack Stewart. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing in the long run as Stewart is projected to be RSL's opening day starter at right back, but that experience will play a role in Ellinger's decisions.

This year's training camp roster is very midfield heavy, which is good news for defenders like Scott Palguta and Chris Lancos who are in the hunt for those last few roster spots. For a midfielder like Worthen, it makes the battle even tougher.

"I feel confident," said Worthen. "But again, everyone is fighting for their jobs."