From Deseret News archives:
Real Salt Lake: More 'insane maniacs' will be on soccer field this year
Whatever the distinction, for the first time in franchise history RSL has a number of those type of fiery competitors who will do whatever it takes to win.
"The guys I always used to look up to were nice guys off the field, but crazy, insane maniacs on the field," said RSL defender Borchers. "It's important to be able to switch that personality on during the game."
Borchers, along with Joy, Kyle Beckerman, Carey Talley and Dema Kovalenko are all the type of players who don't hold anything back emotionally during their 90 minutes on the pitch. More may emerge as the season wears on, but of the five who aren't afraid to put a little more oomph into their challenges, only Talley and Beckerman are holdovers from 2007, and Beckerman only spent half of last year with RSL.
Prior to acquiring Beckerman in a late July trade, Salt Lake only had nine points in the standings with a 1-8-6 record. The midfielder's arrival helped RSL double that point total with a 5-7-3 mark in the second half of the season.
"They're competitors, and that's the way I look it," Kreis said. "They want to win, and are willing to do what's necessary to win. That's what I think we've tried to do is get more players like that, who just at the bottom of at all they want to win."
When asked if that was lacking the three previous years, who quickly said, "I think that's fair to say."
Not surprisingly, RSL's feistiest players are all defensive-oriented players.
"I think it's more of being able to recognize danger in a certain area, and knowing if I go into a tackle it's got to be full or nothing, and that's what you need," said Talley. "You need guys that can recognize that, if they're passive at the wrong time then you kind of get screwed."
Kovalenko is probably the most aggressive, some would say reckless, of all the Real Salt Lake's newcomers. In 1999 as a member of the Chicago Fire, he broke the leg of Dallas defender Brandon Pollard on a vicious tackle, an injury that forced Pollard to retire a year later. In 2003, then a member of D.C. United, Kovalenko broke the leg of Dallas midfielder Ronnie O'Brien on another dangerous challenge.
Recent comments
I think that our defense is going to be our strength. And because of...
Kit n' Kabootle | March 28, 2008 at 2:21 p.m.
This really was a great article which hopefully highlighted one of...
Chodilicus | March 28, 2008 at 12:57 p.m.
see you all tomorrow! Go Real Salt Lake
good article | March 28, 2008 at 12:43 p.m.
- Susan Boyle focus of TV special 12:05 p.m.
- Gael Garcia Bernal's new role 12:04 p.m.
- Chief guilty in Parker-Broderick case 12:04 p.m.
- Chef Paula Deen hit by canned ham 12:03 p.m.
- Tyler Perry donates $1M to NAACP 12:00 p.m.
- Phillips sees will to win in Cowboys 11:58 a.m.
- Ask Food: How to lose weight 11:57 a.m.
- Social Security questions, answers 11:55 a.m.
- Obama Afghan decision 'within days' 11:52 a.m.
- Group warns about toy hazards 11:46 a.m.
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Inmate dead following prison fight
- Fans greet returning Real Salt Lake
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
218 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
199 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
147 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
136 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
133 - BYU records with win
132 - BYU would like friendlier rivalry
126 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103
It's already established that Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is a big San...
I could tell BYU was ready to play Saturday afternoon even before the...
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is giving his team some time off for...
Morgan boys and girls basketball are ranked #4th Go Trojans! Go lady...
12:47 a.m. What politician doesn't "grandstand for their own purposes"???...
I am hoping that Texas will lose in their conference Championship game. That...
Maybe he should get up a little earlier to have breakfast and go for a run...
I'm just glad that Mr. Ash has decided not to publish anymore articles on...
Nussdorfer AC: If you could have either the supporters shield or the MLS Cup,...
Is the Flash still going to build their arena there around Point of the...
The fact that you don't understand the difference between choosing to wear a...
I also feel that these Butchers with butcher knives that participate in that,...
The modern woman seeks to emasculate all men. They have created a hostile...

