Real Salt Lake: Morales looking to build on 2008

In the dying seconds of last weekend's exhibition victory over Austin, Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales scored a superb breakaway goal that demonstrated his intelligence and craftiness all at the same time.

By softly lofting the ball over the keeper like his cleat was a pitching wedge, the Argentine reminded everyone in that brief moment why he's one of the best players in Major League Soccer. Even though the postseason accolades eluded him last year, a look back at his 2008 campaign reveals just how impressive he was.

His 15 assists ranked second in MLS behind league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and his six goals tied him for second on RSL. Overall, he had a hand in 53 percent of RSL's goals last year, registering multiple assists on three different occasions.

"I think he's arguably the best player in the league," said fellow RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman. "I think if we would've done a little bit better in the regular season he would've gotten more credit."

With as good as Morales was for RSL last year, all signs point to an even bigger 2009 as the team prepares for its season opener at the expansion Seattle Sounders this Saturday.

Beckerman said he wouldn't be surprised to see Morales score more goals like the one he uncorked against Austin. In addition, even though he admits it doesn't seem possible for Morales to top 15 assists, Beckerman believes RSL's forwards are ready for a banner year and knows that Morales will be the one setting up many of the those goals.

"If he does better, overall the team should do better with more wins," said Beckerman.

If Morales is to truly take that next step and become an MVP finalist in 2009, RSL's coaching staff believes he needs to be more consistent.

"His level of play last year was extremely, extremely high in some games and then just wasn't as high in other games, so I'd like to see him keep a higher level on a more consistent basis," said Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis.

A byproduct of increased consistency according to Kreis would logically lead to more goals and likely more assists. He seems to be on track for increased production by logging a goal and two assists in RSL's final two games of the preseason.

Morales will try get his 2009 campaign off to a great start at what should be a rowdy Qwest Field in Seattle. In the Sounders first-ever game last weekend they thumped a seemingly-disinterested New York squad 3-0, and 25,000-plus fans will definitely be buzzing at the prospects of another victory.

The Red Bulls were terrible at possessing the ball against Seattle, and Morales will need to make that area a strength for RSL if it hopes to escape the Northwest with either a win or a draw.

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com