Dates To Know:
(MLS) Game 1: Sunday, March 6 @Orlando
BEN CUP 2016: Friday, July 1 vs. DC United (in Sandy!)
End of (Regular) Season: Sunday, October 23 @Seattle
Well, looking back at my 2015 Season Preview, RSL fell squarely into the "worst case scenario" including injuries, signings not panning out, Sabo struggling, and the formation not working out. It was ugly, and by the end of the year, very reminiscent of 2007 era RSL. I think this year's model is better equipped for the 4-3-3, and am hopeful for better results.
Things I liked this offseason:
+Bringing back Chris Wingert. So underrated (I'd still take him over Beltran, but I digress) and he wanted to be here. Glad RSL took the no-brainer and scooped him up.
+Bringing back Yura Movsisyan. I was admittedly not a big fan of his first go round in Utah (he was too wasteful for my tastes), but there was no doubting that the potential was there. I'm hoping the time overseas has honed his skills and mind, and we get him at his peak.
+The removal of the "nacho platter" from the uniforms. That damn yellow stripe thing was an atrocity.
+Saucedo loan to Mexico. He gets some experience in a competitive soccer country. Very shrewd move by RSL, especially for a guy unlikely to play big minutes this year.
+The solar panel installation at Rio Tinto Stadium. Really good move, props to the team for being on the leading edge in this regard.
+This only semi-counts as "offseason," but I really liked the performance (in both legs) against Tigres. Played them very tough and showed some life, unlike much of last year. In a month, with some matches under their belts, RSL wins that 2nd leg going away.
Things I didn't like this offseason:
-The lack of ambition and reach shown. While I like that they brought back 2 good players, the team's continued reliance (and not just this offseason) on bringing back former players and relying on older players is a concern. Unfortunately, my feeling on this is backed up by a Sports Illustrated article ranking MLS teams by ambition. RSL's rank? 17th. Dell Loy Hansen has really shown me very little in this regard since taking over the team. He ran out some of the best front office guys in the league and (semi-)replaced them with cheap in-house options, for example. Speaking of which...
-The keeping of Cassar/4-3-3. Ugh. I do give RSL a little credit here for bringing in some guys (specifically Sunday and Yura) who can actually fit in this formation, thereby trying to make it work, but I'm doubtful. It looked decent against Tigres, sure, but it looked awful all last year. Cassar's insistence on playing the formation despite all evidence, feeling, logic, and results going against it was reason enough for me to want him gone.
-No depth. Supposedly they've been after a couple center backs, with deals that have fallen through. However, the season is now here and CB remains paper thin. Maund looked really good against Tigres, but he's been so mistake prone in the past, that I don't know if I trust him as a starter. We're also thin up front again, with no real replacement for Yura, Javi, or Plata/Burrito. You say, "But, we've got Olmes and Sandoval to play up front!" Yeah, that's my point. And I love Jordan Allen, but he's not ready to take over as a playmaker for this team. Hell, he's still learning the position!
So where does this all leave us? It's an interesting one, as I think RSL will be better, but they are far from the level of LA (how the hell do they fit all these guys under the cap???) or Portland.
The worst case for me would basically be a repeat of last year. Injuries in key positions (Olave is always likely) could be killer, especially with the lack of depth. Guys like Garcia, Sandoval, and the homegrown signings continue to struggle. Yura gets left out to dry by the formation. Guys get upset by playing time/team performance and the locker room turns rotten. They lose the all-important Ben Cup again. RSL misses the playoffs by 5-10 points.
The best case involves Yura living up to his potential and billing and scoring 15+. Morales, Beckerman, Olave, Wingert defy age and have great years. Stephen Sunday is as good as he looked against Tigres. Olmes finally brings back the mojo from his rookie year. Allen continues his upward trajectory. The team destroys DCU on its home turf to return the Ben Cup to its rightful home. RSL hits the playoffs fighting for the 3rd seed.
The Royal Review Prediction:
RSL puts together a solid, but unspectacular season. They bring in a new signing during the season that shows potential, but is uneven. Olave gets hurt, but only misses a couple games. Allen looks good, but doesn't hit stardom yet. Sunday is a good addition. RSL wins the Ben Cup by a goal and RSL fans everywhere rejoice. Yura drops in about 10 goals and over 5 assists. You follow the Royal Review on Twitter (@Royal_Review) because you love me and this blog so much. RSL reaches the playoffs as a low seed and puts up a fight in round 1 before going out.
Showing posts with label Movsisyan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movsisyan. Show all posts
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Friday, July 10, 2009
Yura's Staying
Just got a note on facebook from RSL saying that Garth announced today that Yura is staying for the remainder of the season. My reaction is: Why? He obviously doesn't want to be here (see some of his quotes about the move from recent articles) and RSL/MLS now lose him after the season for nothing. If Randers offered a ham sandwich to let him go early the RSL FO should've jumped on it. Always get something (cash) instead of nothing (no cash), especially in a down economy. Blah (although, did I really expect anything less?).
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
News and Notes
I want to start by apologizing for the severe lack of content recently. I have had a lot going on, including "good times" dealing with car insurance companies and so I haven't had the time or ambition to update a lot (or watch a lot of games). I'm hoping the clouds will part soon and I'll have more time for the Review once again, but until then, updates, and especially full reviews, will be very hit or miss. Sorry once again.
Having said that, I DO want to throw together a little update while I have the chance. First of all, the second annual Ben Cup has ended in an official tie. Both DCU and RSL finished the season series with a 1-1 record in games between the two. In addition, both games ended 2-1 leaving a goal differential of 0 and an away goal differential of 0. So the Cup will stay with Real for another year by default. Good job guys!...I guess...
Second, reports are saying that RSL has named former MLS goalkeeper and announcer Garth Lagerwey as their new GM. Lagerwey had been working as an attorney at a Washington DC law firm previously. I'm trying to be optimistic about this hire, as he does have MLS experience as well as law experience, but I can't get jazzed about it. RSL hires yet another guy who has ZERO experience at the job for which he is hired (although this means I can also hold out hope for a FO position at RSL, as I have no experience at running an MLS team either). I can't help but think we'd be better off with Pastorino still in there. He at least knew the rules and was good for the team PR wise. Plus, how seriously can we take a guy who is best known for his call of "Sweet creamery butter!" Hopefully, it will pan out, and it's nice that RSL FINALLY hired someone, but I'm not holding my breath.
Also, if somehow you didn't hear (and if you are looking at this site it is unlikely you didn't), RSL has traded its 2009 3rd round SuperDraft pick, its 2009 1st round Supplemental Draft pick, AND a partial player allocation (aka $) to Kansas City for 20 year old striker Yura Movsisyan and a Youth International slot. I'm kind of on the fence on this one. On one hand, you know RSL will have very good draft position in 2009 (barring Christ using his second coming to sign with them by then) so trading away those picks plus money is a risky proposition. On the other hand, you get a great YOUNG forward prospect in Movsisyan who has 5 goals in limited minutes this season (and has recently been granted asylum status in the USA, meaning he doesn't count as an international). In addition, RSL gets a youth international slot to use for a new signing in the future. On balance, I think I like this trade, but we will have to see a) what KC does with their end of the bargain and b) how Yura develops before I can say for sure. Also, does this mean the end of Esky in Salt Lake? I hope not, but reports (on the Bill Riley show) have his contract expiring at the end of the season and him having had no contact from RSL or MLS. If I'm RSL I resign this guy for next season NOW, he really bleeds his team.
Speaking of Esky, what the hell was Kreis thinking putting him all alone on top against Toronto??? If that tactic didn't work with Jeff Cunningham at the beginning of the year, it sure as hell isn't going to work with Esky!!! And then he continues to start Chris Brown over Findley (and Kyle Brown, Jamie Watson, Atiba Harris, pretty much everyone else on the bench who, in truth, is better than him). Play with 2 forwards, PLEASE! I know it's nice to have Robbie off the bench, but he's the only one on the team that scores with any regularity. GET HIM ON THE FIELD!
Finally, we come to the Toronto game. Debacle is too kind of a word. RSL played like crap from the opening whistle and to add insult to injury, the ref let this one get away from him VERY early. The result was an ugly, chippy, horrible mess that, in a strange way, was massively entertaining. The added storylines of Toronto's RSL-like scoreless streak and Cunningham's guarantee of a goal added drama to an otherwise terrible match. I was on edge the whole game waiting to see if Rimando could hold them to a shutout. No one else on the team seemed to want to, the defense was extremely poor and the midfield was non-existent. Toronto played the ball through midfield at will (even when RSL was still at full strength), even though RSL was playing with only one forward. It was pathetic. Just as I was thinking "Nicky could pull this out for us" and it was getting very exciting (around 85 min. in), the FSN feed went out and they went to 10 minutes of PSA's. I was watching the game on DVR so I frantically ran to my computer to see if Rimando had pulled out the shutout. Final score 0-0. Way to go Nick! You deserved it, even if your teammates did not. Some other thoughts:
-Espindola is a moron. Plain and simple. Stupid, stupid red card. That having been said, the retaliation by Wynne warranted a yellow.
-On that note, the refs were very uneven and let too much go early. Poor refereeing helped lead to a poorly played, too-physical game.
-Mantilla has now reached the yellow card limit and will sit tonight. 6 games, 5 starts, 5 yellows. He needs a better role model than Atiba Harris.
-Esky also needs to start thinking a bit more. Yes, he was often being abused, but he needs to know better than to draw stupid yellows like he did against TOR.
-There is no justice in the world if Nick Rimando doesn't win goalkeeper of the year (and he won't). The performance against Toronto was not just all-star caliber, it was world-class. Simply amazing. Toronto should've scored at least 4.
Man of the Match: Nick Rimando (obviously)
Assclowns of the match: Fabian Espindola, Fox Sports, Jeff Cunningham-nice prediction, and basically everyone on RSL besides Rimando, including the coaching staff-great game guys!
ps-This week's RR predictions (from my mfls.com "team"):
LA 1 - RSL 1
CHI 1 - DAL 0
CLB 2 - TOR 1
NER 2 - NYC 2
COL 1 - RSL 2
KCW 2 - CHV 3
DCU 3 - CHI 1
DAL 2 - LA 1
Having said that, I DO want to throw together a little update while I have the chance. First of all, the second annual Ben Cup has ended in an official tie. Both DCU and RSL finished the season series with a 1-1 record in games between the two. In addition, both games ended 2-1 leaving a goal differential of 0 and an away goal differential of 0. So the Cup will stay with Real for another year by default. Good job guys!...I guess...
Second, reports are saying that RSL has named former MLS goalkeeper and announcer Garth Lagerwey as their new GM. Lagerwey had been working as an attorney at a Washington DC law firm previously. I'm trying to be optimistic about this hire, as he does have MLS experience as well as law experience, but I can't get jazzed about it. RSL hires yet another guy who has ZERO experience at the job for which he is hired (although this means I can also hold out hope for a FO position at RSL, as I have no experience at running an MLS team either). I can't help but think we'd be better off with Pastorino still in there. He at least knew the rules and was good for the team PR wise. Plus, how seriously can we take a guy who is best known for his call of "Sweet creamery butter!" Hopefully, it will pan out, and it's nice that RSL FINALLY hired someone, but I'm not holding my breath.
Also, if somehow you didn't hear (and if you are looking at this site it is unlikely you didn't), RSL has traded its 2009 3rd round SuperDraft pick, its 2009 1st round Supplemental Draft pick, AND a partial player allocation (aka $) to Kansas City for 20 year old striker Yura Movsisyan and a Youth International slot. I'm kind of on the fence on this one. On one hand, you know RSL will have very good draft position in 2009 (barring Christ using his second coming to sign with them by then) so trading away those picks plus money is a risky proposition. On the other hand, you get a great YOUNG forward prospect in Movsisyan who has 5 goals in limited minutes this season (and has recently been granted asylum status in the USA, meaning he doesn't count as an international). In addition, RSL gets a youth international slot to use for a new signing in the future. On balance, I think I like this trade, but we will have to see a) what KC does with their end of the bargain and b) how Yura develops before I can say for sure. Also, does this mean the end of Esky in Salt Lake? I hope not, but reports (on the Bill Riley show) have his contract expiring at the end of the season and him having had no contact from RSL or MLS. If I'm RSL I resign this guy for next season NOW, he really bleeds his team.
Speaking of Esky, what the hell was Kreis thinking putting him all alone on top against Toronto??? If that tactic didn't work with Jeff Cunningham at the beginning of the year, it sure as hell isn't going to work with Esky!!! And then he continues to start Chris Brown over Findley (and Kyle Brown, Jamie Watson, Atiba Harris, pretty much everyone else on the bench who, in truth, is better than him). Play with 2 forwards, PLEASE! I know it's nice to have Robbie off the bench, but he's the only one on the team that scores with any regularity. GET HIM ON THE FIELD!
Finally, we come to the Toronto game. Debacle is too kind of a word. RSL played like crap from the opening whistle and to add insult to injury, the ref let this one get away from him VERY early. The result was an ugly, chippy, horrible mess that, in a strange way, was massively entertaining. The added storylines of Toronto's RSL-like scoreless streak and Cunningham's guarantee of a goal added drama to an otherwise terrible match. I was on edge the whole game waiting to see if Rimando could hold them to a shutout. No one else on the team seemed to want to, the defense was extremely poor and the midfield was non-existent. Toronto played the ball through midfield at will (even when RSL was still at full strength), even though RSL was playing with only one forward. It was pathetic. Just as I was thinking "Nicky could pull this out for us" and it was getting very exciting (around 85 min. in), the FSN feed went out and they went to 10 minutes of PSA's. I was watching the game on DVR so I frantically ran to my computer to see if Rimando had pulled out the shutout. Final score 0-0. Way to go Nick! You deserved it, even if your teammates did not. Some other thoughts:
-Espindola is a moron. Plain and simple. Stupid, stupid red card. That having been said, the retaliation by Wynne warranted a yellow.
-On that note, the refs were very uneven and let too much go early. Poor refereeing helped lead to a poorly played, too-physical game.
-Mantilla has now reached the yellow card limit and will sit tonight. 6 games, 5 starts, 5 yellows. He needs a better role model than Atiba Harris.
-Esky also needs to start thinking a bit more. Yes, he was often being abused, but he needs to know better than to draw stupid yellows like he did against TOR.
-There is no justice in the world if Nick Rimando doesn't win goalkeeper of the year (and he won't). The performance against Toronto was not just all-star caliber, it was world-class. Simply amazing. Toronto should've scored at least 4.
Man of the Match: Nick Rimando (obviously)
Assclowns of the match: Fabian Espindola, Fox Sports, Jeff Cunningham-nice prediction, and basically everyone on RSL besides Rimando, including the coaching staff-great game guys!
ps-This week's RR predictions (from my mfls.com "team"):
LA 1 - RSL 1
CHI 1 - DAL 0
CLB 2 - TOR 1
NER 2 - NYC 2
COL 1 - RSL 2
KCW 2 - CHV 3
DCU 3 - CHI 1
DAL 2 - LA 1
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