Reader comments
Real Salt Lake: Kreis, players brace for changes

No Allocation money? | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008

Where did it all go?

Oh ya, we are paying Mathis 100k to be old and slow.

So is there any hope of bringing in an additional 1 or 3 guys? I am still hoping for a true goal scorer.

The diagnosis | 8:46 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008

Playing forward-thinking, entertaining soccer and playing it to win is difficult when you don't have a real star at forward. Not impossible (the Crew's Alejandro Moreno is not really a star, and they still managed to score well off great possession) but hard.

Yura joined the ranks of the "pretty decent" this year, which would be more than good enough for a second scoring option, but the #1 topic to address for RSL to become Shield Contenders next season is an all-star type forward, or nearly so.

Espindola may possibly be that guy, but the team will need to judge if he's consistent and can stay healthy.

Well, | 9:43 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008

Movsisyan is young and hasn't even played a full season. He has shown some moments of brilliance and has talent so perhaps he is an answer.

I think Espindola is already in the position to fill the spot and, if given the time, can be healthy enough to perform. He has proved it in the short time on the field. He deserves time to heal and play.

Comments continue below

sidelineviews.com | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008

What a season! Compared to last year the RSL squad was a completly different team. I have a few comments to make...

First - we will now see what fans are true, and which just like to gripe about the team. This was an amazing season, in which RSL accomplished many things that the club could not have even dreamed of under the Ellinger regeime.

I have posted more on my blog

CMcAfee | 10:36 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008

I was proud to be an RSL fan this year; I don't know a better way to put it than that. Have a good break guys, and I can't wait until March.

so.. | 10:56 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008

when is the first game next season?

nerves | 12:09 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

Many fans seem to think that a stud forward would take us to the promised land. I guess I would have to see it to believe it. Most of those guys are selfish players that are unwilling to sacrifice their hair-do to play defence.
Most teams in this league don't have the money to put out on a potential locker room cancer, so they spend their money on a difference making midfielder instead. Reals talent level at forward is as good as anybody else in the league. I tend to agree with those that would like to see a winger that can deliver that sublime cross into the box.
That is how columbus got to the final, hard nose D and lots of crosses into the box.

T-ravis | 12:17 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

RSL NEED a scorer! Someone who is consistent and can score at least fifteen goals. I say bring in Henrik Larsson as the teams DP. Henrik is out of contract in January and will be available on a free transfer. He is a world class forward and can teach our young forwards ALOT. This would be a dream move for RSL.

Ballick | 12:35 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

We need to bring in a DP, like Michale Ballick, it would be awesome.

what? | 3:34 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

there is no way we are ever gonna get micheal BALLACK.. you spelled it wrong btw

DP? | 3:36 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

RSL has said from the beginning that they are not going to get a designated player.. I honestly don think we need one anyway. Morales is just as good as any DP in the league.

no more rimando | 3:47 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

he has been good but lets get chris seits some playing time. He is a very good keeper as shown in the U-23 world cup last summer.

rsl fan | 3:52 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

i hate the jazz.. I am so annoyed that the season is over i dont think i can watch another jazz game.. i hate them

DP | 3:54 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

They said they wouldnt do it until the fans showed that they deserve it. I think we have done that. Ballack - not gonna happen. Larsson - probably not either. Fat Ronaldo? - I doubt it. Some prolific Mexican scorer - maybe.

Agreed on Rimando, unless he grows 6 inches in the offseason...its time for Seitz.

keep Nicky | 4:15 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

Let them battle for the starting spot. Nicky as a backup would be the best backup in the league.

As for the troops, I will miss those that leave.

Cowboy | 4:39 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

The soap opera of soccer just continues!

While we watch RSL start to compete in this league we are also watching MLS start to compete at a global level.

RSL fans need to wake up and get real that MLS struggles to retain even fringe US national team players, world-class talent is beyond the current price range.

The $2.3m salary cap may be necessary to impose fiscal responsibility on the MLS club organisations but it would only just stretch to two months for one top player (CRonaldo, Messi, Kaka, Terry) or maybe three months for someone like Ballack.

Even David Beckham only earns half as much as the top players!

Soccer is a great example of global economics we can all learn from.

Growth | 4:51 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

Slow and steady.

I would argue that eventually what is happening in the EPL will ruin the game. Overlords coming in with endless pockets will not allow the local youth to progress anymore.

Maybe MLS could teach the rest of the boys a thing or two.

Also, the Salary Cap should Double in 2010. That will help.

Horse | 7:46 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

I have loved this team and I am extremely bummed to see any of them leave. Whoever goes will be sorely missed.

Soccerman | 8:25 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

What a season! This one will always be remembered fondly for so many reasons, including:

First full season with Kreis, Fraser, Cassar, Lagerway, Johnson, & Co at the helm.

First full season with a healthy Morales.

Meaningful additions galore that contributed right away (Borchers, Olave, Joy, Beltran, Kovalenko, Russell, Johnson, Deuchar)

One of the best home records in the league.

Rio Tinto Stadium (a field with grass)

First playoffs, first series win, against expansion brethren Chivas

Goal of the Year - Will Johnson

The amazing performance of Andy Williams and the community support for his wife.

And last, but certainly not least:

The Javi & Kyle Show!

I'm going to be emotionally distraught when Seattle robs us of one of our great players.

2009 can't come soon enough!!!

RSL Ulty fan | 9:45 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008

We will miss those players that leave. Can't wait for next season. Diehard fan forever. Also, go Jazz. I prefer RSL, but I am a huge Jazz fan as well. We need to support all of our teams in Utah.

Anonymous | 7:00 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I'd like to see us give Deuchar another year to settle in, which all foreign players (even Morales) need. Also, we'd be foolish to let Rimando go in favor of Seitz, considering how many good young American keepers are getting picked up in Europe right now. We would get a year or two out of Seitz but then he'd be off; I'd rather have the continuity in the team.

Keep Rimando | 9:30 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Fifth in league in shutouts (8), 2nd longest shutout streak minutes (355), truly acrobatic saves, helped by strong back four performance at end of season, but he had quality consistency for 30 games. He will mentor Seitz when it is time, but now is not that time. Seitz will be gone and needs to learn to stay in pipes, he has not demonstrated good decision-making when coming off his line. PS we lead the league in shots, but were #11 in goals...guess we need a little more accuracy

Competition | 2:51 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Rimando was outstanding this entire season! He's saved RSL's bacon on many occasion. It's hard for me to see RSL replacing a great team leader that is playing at such a high level. The same who is responsible for many key saves in Colorado to get RSL into their first ever playoffs. A debt of gratitude is owed to Nick. At the same time Seitz need to get some experience. This will be another hard situation for Kreis and co. this off season.

sockernut | 2:59 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

i think keeping rimando is a good choice he's still got plenty in the tank, don't keepers usually hit their peak later than other players? plus, seattle wont be looking for a keeper with keller already there, however seitz should see some first team minutes this next year. we need better quality strikers, yura and co did a good job but we need better, espy showed flashes of greatness, i want the Dr to be here next year also, he came over without a break, didnt get a lot of time to adjust, and then only got 5 min/match towards the end of the season, not enough to show what he can do in my opinion. im not entirely sold on the DP idea either. we got to where we were this year by working as a team, as a unit. im afraid a DP may ruin that balance.

Will Johnson | 3:53 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Acquisition of the year has to be Will Johnson. The guy is so solid in the midfield.

Dema will be gone next year. He makes too much money for what he contributes. I like the guy but his salary will keep him off the team.

Olave had a dumb play in the last game but overall is a great center back. I really think we need him back. If his salary is at all reasonable we need to sign him.

I'm pretty sure Mathis will die of old age before next season so I wouldn't worry about us paying him 100,000 next year.

Mathis needs to go | 10:53 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

$100,000 is a joke for a guy who doesn't know what a goal is. Morales doesn't make that much and is a better player and can score.

Anon | 7:09 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Morales does make that much, at least double $100K. But I agree that Mathis is not nearly worth his salary. I say if he stays around, that he gets more along the lines of Kenny Cutler's salary - $30K or so.

Anonymous | 8:56 a.m. Nov. 22, 2008

I think Real really needs to step up next year by bringing players like kaka,henry,sombody that can acully score more than 15 goals a season.But keep a couple players like Rimando,olave,joy,morales,mathisJK,beckerman,Findly,and espindola

February | 3:34 p.m. Nov. 22, 2008

Already counting down to February. Great ski season to enjoy until then but I can hardly wait for next season to start!

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