Movsisyan working to regain form

Without Yura Movsisyan's late surge a year ago, in which he scored six goals in Real Salt Lake's final seven matches, its very unlikely that RSL would've made its Major League Soccer playoff debut.

A year later, that scoring touch has vanished.

Eleven games into the 2009 season, the 21-year-old Movsisyan has scored just one goal despite leading the team in shots with 29. His confidence seems to wane from minute to minute as he desperately tries to regain his form.

At this point of the season, his breakthrough will probably have to come as a substitute. A former striker himself, RSL coach Jason Kreis knows just how quickly a striker's form can come and go. With his team in a major offensive rut, though, Kreis doesn't have the luxury of being patient with Movsisyan any longer, so he's benched last year's leading scorer the past two matches.

"I don't think any of those decisions were made to try and get Yura's form back," Kreis said. "All the decisions that I make are because I want to win games; I'm making decisions based on what's going to give us the best chance to win the next game."

Those decisions have still involved Movsisyan. Two weeks ago in RSL's 0-0 draw at D.C. United, he played the final 29 minutes as a wide midfielder in a 4-5-1 formation. Just this past weekend, he entered the game in the 56th minute and played up top with fellow substitute Robbie Findley in a 4-4-2 attack.

Movsisyan is hopeful the juggling act will produce some results.

"Strikers are streaky," Movsisyan said. "I'm not in so good a streak right now, but I still keep my confidence. I know it's coming, I need to get lucky here and there, but it's going to come. You've got to try everything. When something is not working, you can't keep beating on it. I think you've got to try and get away from it and look at in a different way."

That thought process could lead the coaching staff in a number of different directions. Does Movsisyan get the starting nod at home against Colorado this Saturday or doesn't he? If he does start, will he come on as a forward or a wide midfielder?

Regardless of his status, Kreis believes there is plenty Movsisyan can contribute without scoring goals.

"You're going to go through times like that, it's the life of the forward," he said. "It's about what other things you can do for the team in those moments. Are you working hard still defensively? Are you keeping possession? Are you still making the right choices on the ball? Those factors matter as well."