Talley insists he never lost the hunger playing for RSL but acknowledges his 2007 season paled in comparison to his rock-solid 2006 campaign. In reality, though, he said it was rough year for everyone after the coaching change.

"Maybe the spotlight was on me a little more last year because of the season I had prior to that, but when you look at it, how did every player respond last year with the change in management halfway through and a guy that was your captain coming in as your coach?" said Talley.

Talley might be wearing the enemy's jersey now, but he'll be back in RSL country soon enough.

"Once this dream that I'm still riding ends, I'm going to be back in Salt Lake," said Talley. "We loved the family lifestyle; we have great friends there. That's the reason we're coming back 'cause the people we met and the city itself.

"It would be great to stay in soccer, but there's other things out there besides soccer, too."

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com