Real Salt Lake: Smarter play led to Jamison Olave's all-star selection

From the moment Jamison Olave signed with Real Salt Lake, he immediately became the most imposing defender in MLS. Built like a linebacker, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound center back has speed to burn, and a bit of a nasty streak.

That nasty streak is also why Olave probably isn't playing his professional soccer in England or Spain.

In his first two seasons with Real Salt Lake, Olave did many, many brilliant things, but he also did some very stupid things. The result was an excessive amount of costly cautions and ejections that forced him to watch from the sidelines far too often.

This year, and arguably for the first time in his career, Olave is matching wits with his ability — and the results are stunning. It might be a bit late for the 29-year-old renaissance man to hit the jackpot with his talents in Europe, but Wednesday night he'll find out how he stacks up.

Olave, along with RSL teammates Javier Morales and Nick Rimando, all figure to see action in Houston Wednesday night as the MLS All-Stars take on Manchester United at Reliant Stadium in front of about 70,000 fans. The match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

For the older and wiser Olave, being voted onto the MLS First XI and being a likely starter is a reward for becoming a smarter soccer player.

"The recognition for him has been a long time coming. For me, it's going to be really interesting to see him play on that stage," said RSL coach Jason Kreis.

It would be even more interesting to see how Olave matched up with Wayne Rooney, but the English striker skipped Manchester United's North American tour for a much-needed break after the World Cup.

Even without Rooney, the English Premier League runners-up will still field one of the best teams in the world, and Olave won't look out of place. One couldn't have said that a few years ago.

In 2008, Olave's undisciplined style led to nine yellow cards and a pair of one-match suspensions. His behavior only got worse with six yellow cards and three red cards last year.

Olave was on his best behavior during RSL's playoff run last year, an indication the constant nagging from his coaches was paying off.

This year, excluding poor decisions against Houston this April that led to a pair of penalty kicks, that discipline has carried over, and he's an MLS All-Star as a result.

"We've had many, many discussions about his lack of discipline, his lack of focus at crucial moments in matches over the last two years since he's been here, and I feel like he's gotten better and better," said RSL coach Jason Kreis.

Real Salt Lake would have a fourth All-Star Wednesday night, but Kyle Beckerman is skipping the match despite being voted onto the First XI so he can rest his foot. Plus, he said, it's "too hot in Houston right now."