From Deseret News archives:
Real Salt Lake's adds have been big
In fact, the club might've missed the playoffs entirely without the arrival of Robbie Russell, Clint Mathis and Will Johnson this summer. Instead, the team is preparing for the Western Conference finals in a season few people thought the team would even make the playoffs, including coach Jason Kreis himself.
"I really didn't think we'd be able to make the playoffs. I knew we had a lot of good players, and I knew we could coach them into a team that could compete and win our share of games, but we'd never be consistent enough to probably make the playoffs this season," Kreis said. "I thought that was definitely a next season thing."
Those expectations, however, changed when Russell, Mathis and Johnson were signed during the FIFA summer transfer window.
They were an immediate upgrade in both talent and experience, but their initial impact on the field was spotty at best as the team struggled upon their arrival with three straight losses. It took time for everyone, both new and old, to adapt to one another's playing styles, but they all seemed to figure things out about two months ago.
"All three of those guys have been huge contributors and very, very important to our success," Kreis said.
Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers, an offseason acquisition in his own right, can't emphasize enough the importance of his new teammates.
"We can't say whether or not we'd be here without them, but they've been huge for us. They're just three guys I really enjoy playing with," Borchers said. "They're unselfish with the ball, they work really hard, they have the mentality that Jason (Kreis) and Dave Checketts would like to see. It's a pleasure to play with those guys."
Johnson has been a permanent fixture in the lineup since his arrival starting every game and playing every minute.
Mathis and Russell have bounced in and out of the starting line-up, proof of the increased overall depth on Real Salt Lake's roster. That was never more evident than Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in California.
Regular starting left back Ian Joy woke up Saturday morning with a swollen groin and knew right away he wouldn't be playing in the second leg against Chivas. Russell stepped right in and was superb.
Recent comments
nilch?
Harold | Nov. 12, 2008 at 10:13 a.m.
Mathis, and Williams, and Movsisyan but then we stopped losing games....
I used to hate | Nov. 12, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
I want to declare the end of discussion regarding Mathis. He is on...
Enough about Mathis | Nov. 11, 2008 at 9:17 p.m.
- 3A: Hurricane 24, Park City 19 2:29 a.m.
- GameDay back in the MWC 2:19 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 1:49 a.m.
- SUU campus briefs 1:48 a.m.
- Dixie campus briefs 1:47 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake gameday 1:33 a.m.
- 5A: Bingham rolls to title game 12:59 a.m.
- Aggies hope for Spartan cure 12:57 a.m.
- 5A: Miners pull tricks to win 12:56 a.m.
- 5A: Davis runs over Hunter 12:54 a.m.
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Unga family is making its mark
- Selfishness to blame for Jazz woes?
- Study: Divorce likely when wife ill
- ESPN suddenly loves MWC
- Trial begins in toddler death
- Historically, Utes have owned TCU
- Two killed in Iron County crash
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- 4A: Thunderbirds dynasty lives on
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
348 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Celtics crush Jazz
103 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
102 - Hatch empathizes with Muslims
88
Utah's game with TCU will be the telling card of how good the Utes...
True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...
What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?
Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...
t-hinds = best player in utah
Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...
Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...
I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...
It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...
Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...
ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....