Real Salt Lake: Grabavoy looks primed for starting role

SANDY — With his fourth start in 15 games for Real Salt Lake, Ned Grabavoy understands his roll on the team is about to become much more important with the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Coach Jason Kreis seemed at ease when talking about Grabavoy's play in Real Salt Lake's 3-0 win over Toronto FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night.

"I haven't seen him play like this since the D.C. game," said Kreis. "He kept the opposing team busy, and made extremely good tackles."

In Saturday's match, Grabavoy proved to everyone and himself that he is ready for his starting role in Real's upcoming matches with starters Will Johnson and Kyle Beckerman departing for the Gold Cup.

Grabavoy was able to play excellent soccer on both sides of the ball, as he helped do his part in the Real victory.

Grabavoy defended well at the midfield position, winning balls, making tackles and keeping the Toronto offense in check.

On the offensive end, Grabavoy assisted Clint Mathis for the third goal of the game, ending any chance of a Toronto comeback.

"It set up nice, because we we're trying to kill the game so it worked out to our advantage," Grabavoy said.

Grabavoy has played in 12 of Real's matches, and is most likely picked to start in the next stretch of games with his fellow midfielders departing to the Gold Cup.

The move to starter doesn't bother him too much though.

"I don't think it will change that much, but it will be interesting to see how the team plays," said Grabavoy.

Real has established a great set of holding midfielders in Beckerman and Johnson.

The holding midfield position is something Real has relied upon in recent games, and Grabavoy's play in the next couple of games could really test him to fit in at the position.

Will Johnson has already departed with the Canada National team, as did rookie Jean Alexandre who joined the Haitian National team.

Beckerman will join the U.S. team following the Toronto FC match.

"I'm sure he'll take full advantage of it," Beckerman said of Grabavoy. "He's a deep player and if he shows up like he did tonight it should be good."

Also, Javier Morales had to leave Saturday's win over Toronto FC with what appeared to be a left ankle injury. If Morales misses any time, Real would lose another player from an already slim midfield squad.

E-mail: cjohnson@desnews.com