Real Salt Lake: Olave getting comfortable in Salt Lake

Getting married usually changes a man, and for Jamison Olave tying the knot enabled him to finally get his life back in order.

Thanks to a stringent U.S. immigration policy, especially with Colombia, the Real Salt Lake defender spent the entire 2008 MLS season away from his fiancee and two children. Despite Olave's U.S. work visa and numerous pleadings, the U.S. government refused to allow his fiancee to join him in the United States until they were married.

So with his personal life unsettled and no English speaking skills whatsoever, the Colombian native plugged away in Utah last year while all of the comforts of his home remained in South America. A true credit to his professionalism, Olave still enjoyed a fantastic inaugural season with Real Salt Lake and emerged as one of the most intimidating defenders in MLS.

After getting married in his native Colombia during the offseason and signing a new three-year contract with RSL, the sky's the limit on his potential in 2009.

"I've always had a belief that players need to be happy. They need to be happy in their outside life to really bring their full game every single day and be able to stay focused," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "I think we'll have a more consistent and happier Jamison Olave, and probably a more focused and a better player."

A year overdue, Olave's wife was finally permitted to make the move to the United States 10 days before the season opener. In late May his little "nino and nina" — from a previous relationship — will be making an extended visit to Utah as well.

"Family is fundamental for me. It's nice to actually have them here. Last year we tried to get them here, but it didn't happen. But we did everything possible in the offseason to get them here, and it feels a lot better for me," said Olave through a translator. "Fortunately it worked out over the offseason to be able to get that contract signed and be here with the club."

For RSL, re-signing the bruising Olave was an easy yet difficult situation all rolled into one. The 27-year-old was on loan from Deportivo Cali a year ago, and RSL knew that buying out the loan and making Olave's move permanent would be an expensive one.

After weighing Olave's many qualities and deficiencies, such as his needless challenge in last year's Western Conference final that led to New York's game-winning goal, the team opted to pony up the dough just like it did for midfielder Javier Morales earlier in the season.