Deseret News | Real Salt Lake opens with draws in Argentina

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Real Salt Lake opens with draws in Argentina

SoccerFan | 6:51 a.m. March 6, 2008

Good job boys! I can't wait for the season to start and see how the new talent is going to be on the pitch. Keep up the good work.

Question | 7:59 a.m. March 6, 2008

why have we keep Andy Williams for three season? He barely has a handful of goals in those three seasons. He is always in yellow card trouble. He is one of the laziest players, walks around the field and then yells at his team for not passing to him. Occasionally he sprints, but only if he is within striking distance. I hope he doesn't end up captain. Chris Brown scored more goals and costs half of what Andy does and yet we keep Andy around and dump Chris. And doesn't Andy take one of our international spots cause he is from Canada? Let's dump him and pick up a decent international. One who knows how to run and play hard for ninety minutes without disparaging his fellow players.

re: Question 7:59 | 8:23 a.m. March 6, 2008

Andy doesn't score as often as C Brown because he is a playmaking midfielder. It isn't his job to score. He does have more assists than Chris Brown though, which he should. Andy Williams was born in Canada, but he is Jamaican. But he doesn't use one of our international roster spots because he has gained his US citizenship. He definitely should not start every game, but he is a powerful weapon that RSL can use coming off the bench. And he provides leadership and experience on this team that most of the other players cannot. He might appear to be playing lazy, but that is his style, he kind of lulls you to sleep and then shoots a great through ball to an attacker for a goal. Last year might not have been his finest statistically, but he definitely contributed well for us.

Comments continue below

Andy fan | 8:58 a.m. March 6, 2008

Williams may be lazy at times, but he is fun to watch and can be a great player when he tries. He may get a lot of yellow cards, but the cards are usual because he is hustling to the ball, not cheap fouls. Keep up the good work Real!!! Can't wait to see you play.

Re: Question | 9:07 a.m. March 6, 2008

Don't worry about Williams being captain cuz he won't be. That said, he's one of my favorites on the team and will be a great sub off the bench.

Williams Fan | 9:17 a.m. March 6, 2008

Williams came to camp in the best shape of his career. Andy is my favorite player to watch on RSL, there are not too many players, anywhere, that can keep the ball like he can. He is fantastic on the ball. To compare him and Chris Brown is like comparing Lebron James and Brent Barry.

Williams is cool | 9:53 a.m. March 6, 2008

Andy is cool. You have to luv him for what he brings. If he worked a bit harder, he could be the best on the team. However, this is Beckerman's team now, and he will be captain. I don't think anyone can argue against Beckerman being Kries's man.

pate | 9:52 a.m. March 6, 2008

Great to read an update from down south. Any word on how Indra, Olave, and Cordoba are doing?

Chodilicus | 1:19 p.m. March 6, 2008

Andy Williams is one of the most skilled players in all of MLS. He brings a ton to RSL as a creative midfielder. He is a classic number 10 and while he could be more aggresive at times, he needs players around him to be truly successful. As the quality of surrounding playing increases, so will Andy's production. With forwards like Deuchar, Findley, Movsysian, and Espindola he will have the finishers around him to create goals.

Chodilicus | 1:22 p.m. March 6, 2008

Do we know what kind of injury was sustained by Tennelle? He is a youngster who will not contribute much this year but I hope that it wasn't something serious that will hamper his development. I think this team will be much improved this year. I can't wait for the season to start.

skill | 7:45 p.m. March 6, 2008

Andy is the most skilled player on the team and can do increadible things on the field. He makes going to the games fun. If some of these new players can learn how to move for the assist Andy will have a great year. I hope that Kries keeps him in the starting 11. I do not believe in making Andy the "Sub" if your not going to play him the whole game make him a starter and then bring someone else off the bench in the second half if he gets tired. It was great to hear that he had an assist in the last game. Huge Andy Fan!!!

Boring!!! | 2:19 p.m. March 7, 2008

Soccer is boring. Why can't you report about something more exciting like the growth of the grass in Rice-Eccles Stadium or something?

Love me some soccer | 3:27 p.m. March 7, 2008

Hey Boring thanks for commenting on the story- it shows that you and other haters are reading the story, which will in turn INCREASE coverage on RSL not decrease it. Soccer haters need to get a life and find something else to do besides say the same old stuff about how boring, etc. soccer is. You won't understand it and we don't need you!
Go RSL here's hoping this team can gel soon!

pate | 5:26 p.m. March 7, 2008

"Soccer is boring." Yup, same old refrain. *yawn* On the other hand, I ended up watching the first half of a game with a non-soccer fan the other day. As I pointed out the action that was going on away from the ball -- "See that run he's making, it's opening up space for the player with the ball." -- my friend started to get excited about the game. By the time the half was over, he seemed excited to catch another game.

I guess a little understanding is all it takes to make a 'boring game' exciting.

Can't live without it! | 2:21 p.m. March 8, 2008

Growing up I always thought that soccer was boring. Basketball and baseball were my world. I held this opinion until 2005 when I heard that SLC was getting a team. I started to check out the sport and even attended the opening match in the inagural season. To this day I remember the intoxicating feeling that came over me as I jumped to my feet with 25,000 other fans and celebrated RSL's first goal. I have attended nearly every home match since then and have never looked back. Soccer is my sport now. I root for the team year round and love every minute of it. It will be interesting to see the press coverage and fan interest go up this year because RSL is going to be awesome! Good job to the Front Office this past off season and good luck to the players. I can hardly wait for March 29 at 4:00 PM. Soccer is undeniably the absolute most exciting sport in the world. (Yes even here in America!)

Converted Soccer Fan '05 | 3:02 p.m. March 10, 2008

Ditto to the 'Can't live without it' post. I too have been a life-long American sports fan (Basketball, Football, etc...) I can't put my finger on exactly what it is about soccer, but I am sold! Can't beat the atmosphere at the games....somewhat similar to what I remember at Franklin Covey (another great place to spend an evening). Clearly soccer is growing nationally and I hope to see it break into the mainstream soon. And by the way, Andy Williams has been the best player on the team for three years running. If you haven't noticed the skill, you don't know what to look for. He 'sees' things that not all soccer players do and just needs more talent around him.

Utah Far | 7:26 a.m. March 11, 2008

I follow all sports and all Utah teams. Why wouldn't I? Support your home teams.

i love soccer | 7:05 p.m. March 18, 2008

i miss medhi ballouchy

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