Real Salt Lake Discussion Thread

[edfmx86]

Did Joao Plata ever re-sign?

I didn't see any news that it was made official, though RSL had clearly been working towards that.
Youre right, nothing official yet. Its being worked on. RSL only has purchased the full rights, which use to belong to multiple third parties.

[LittleOzzy]

Real Salt Lake bolster defensive depth with signing of Homegrown player Phanuel Kavita

After an uncharacteristically busy off-season, Real Salt Lake are finding defensive depth from within, announcing on Saturday the signing of defender Phanuel Kavita as a Homegrown player.

"Phanny is a real success story of our Academy. He has excelled on the field for Clemson, but also in the classroom where he graduated early with a degree in psychology," said RSL technical director Craig Waibel in a press release. "That sort of character is exactly the kind of person we want associated with Real Salt Lake and we are excited to have him join the club."

Kavita, 22, is a product of the RSL-Arizona Academy and was a standout at Highland High School in Salt Lake City's Sugarhouse neighborhood. He spent the last four years at Clemson University, where he started all four years and was the team's captain during his junior and senior seasons.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... anuel-kavi

[LittleOzzy]

Real Salt Lake close TV deal that would provide "quantum leap" in market reach

Real Salt Lake has announced a new local television deal – which, as it turns out, will create a regional network.

The team is in the process of finalizing a deal that will put their games on stations in six cities and increase their reach from less than a million homes in the Salt Lake TV market to approximately 5.5 million on seven stations in five states.

“We're going to be like the mouse that roared,” team owner Dell Loy Hansen said. “This puts us ahead of teams like Seattle and Portland and more on the same page as Los Angeles.”

The multi-year deal is with Sinclair Broadcasting, which owns two stations (KUTV and KMYU) in Utah. During the 2015 regular season, KMYU will telecast 26 of 32 regular-season games; the other six will be MLS national games.

KUTV will also promote the team on the air and online; KMYU will air a weekly edition of its late-night sports show “Talkin' Sports” devoted primarily to RSL.

And the new contract is for more than just local games.

Sinclair's American Sports Network will produce the games and air them on Sinclair-owned stations in Las Vegas, Boise and Reno. Sinclair and RSL are also in the final stages of negotiating deals with stations in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Tucson.

“This year, we're making a quantum leap,” said Hansen, who pointed out that the increased exposure will mean increased sponsorship and advertising opportunities for the team – and its players.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... rket-reach

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/chriskamrani/status/559776844749500416[/tweet]

Not good for RSL.

[edfmx86]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/chriskamrani/status/559776844749500416[/tweet]

Not good for RSL.

Not Good at all....on the bright side, Striker is our most deep position at the moment. Saborio will have a great season this year if he can stay healthy. With less International games this year, I think that can happen. Jaime has now had more time to gel with this team and can be the guy who steps up and Olmes Garcia can also be a starter in this league, maybe this is his breakout year.

I am happy to see that Joao's contract is finally official now. He will be one of our Designated Players this year. Get well soon, kid!

[LittleOzzy]

Waibel has high expectations for Real Salt Lake in 2015

While RSL has had its share of Designated Players on the roster, it has done more to develop players into that roster designation than signing big-name players from abroad. While players like David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins and Thierry Henry have been driving factors for some of the top teams in the league, Real Salt Lake has brought in players like Javier Morales and Alvaro Saborio who have shown their talents in the league before earning big Designated Player contracts.

Although Owner Dell Loy Hansen has expressed an interest in bringing in the type of impact difference-maker that could potentially put RSL over the top, Waibel emphasized that any player the club signs has to fit into the culture of the club, first and foremost.

“I think Dell Loy’s committed. We have to find the right guy. I think that search, when you’re talking about that type of player … you’ve got to bring in the right guy that, in our locker room, has the humility to fit in,” Waibel said. “Our locker room is humble. And our locker room is honest. And our locker room is united. You can’t just bring in a guy based on talent alone and expect everyone to be on board with it. We’ve got to do our research and bring the right player in. He’s got to fit what we do and we won’t be forgiving on any of that.”

Finally, Real Salt Lake maintains high expectations for the 2015 season. With the MLS Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League all in play, Waibel pulled no punches in stating the club’s goals for the new season. And while roster congestion may dictate some lineup changes during different portions of the season, he expects to have the team fighting for all three titles.

“There are three cups that we’d like to lift and those are the three. If we can get Supporters’ Shield, that’s great. But there are three championships we’re playing for and we’d like to lift all three,” Waibel said. “Realistically, it’s proven in time that that’s difficult to do. We won’t take any one of them more seriously than the others.”

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2015/0 ... -lake-2015

[JazzMatt13]

For those who didn't see the news clip a couple weeks ago, REAL did get the go ahead with the Utah State Fair Park for the new minor league 8,000 seat stadium. It will be a soccer stadium first and foremost, but could obviously be seated for other events. It will cost a reported 18 million dollars. In prespective, the Rio Tinto Stadium is said to have cost $110 million dollars.

The official article with pictures of what it should look like:

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2015/0 ... 18-million" target="_blank" target="_blank

[LittleOzzy]

For those who didn't see the news clip a couple weeks ago, REAL did get the go ahead with the Utah State Fair Park for the new minor league 8,000 seat stadium. It will be a soccer stadium first and foremost, but could obviously be seated for other events. It will cost a reported 18 million dollars. In prespective, the Rio Tinto Stadium is said to have cost $110 million dollars.

The official article with pictures of what it should look like:

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2015/0 ... 18-million" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Do you think the team will be well supported?

[LittleOzzy]

Gil relishes new responsibility that comes with a change in jersey numbers

What’s in a number?

For Real Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil, the number he wore on the back of his shirt never really meant much. But when Head Coach Jeff Cassar suggested to him in the off-season that he switch to the No. 10 jersey, he took it as both a sign of respect and as a challenge.

“It’s an honor. It’s just going to put more responsibility on me,” Gil said after returning to RSL fresh off a month with the U.S. National Team at January camp. “It’s going to be my sixth year with the team, so it’s about time I took some more responsibility on the team.”

Cassar saw that Gil may be ready to take on that responsibility, but he’s not the only one.

Goalkeeper Nick Rimando – a 15-year MLS veteran – has seen him grow exponentially in the last few years, blossoming from a child prodigy hopeful of making it through practice sessions to an integral part of RSL’s makeup with an eye on the U.S. National Team and the Olympics.

“He’s grown every time I see him in camp with Real Salt Lake and the U.S. National Team,” Rimando said. “You can see him mature and his game has definitely gone to the next level.”

Flashback to the 2010 season. Gil was a rising young talent, but at just 16 years old was a somewhat unknown commodity. Yet RSL took a chance on him by sending a first round pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and an international roster slot to Sporting Kansas City (then called the Kansas City Wizards) to trade for the U.S. Youth international.

He didn’t play a single league match that first year, learning the ins-and-outs of being a professional under the watch of leaders on a team that had won MLS Cup a year earlier. Over the next three seasons, he saw increases in games, starts and minutes played and was converting that experience into a productive season of five goals and three assists in 2013.

Those numbers took a dip in 2014 to two goals and two assists in 2014 as a deep RSL midfield increased the competition for playing time.

Now entering his sixth season at just 21 years old, Gil is poised to make it his best yet for RSL and is using his experience with the U.S. National Team from January camp to help accelerate that process.

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2015/0 ... ey-numbers

[LittleOzzy]

RSL won't shy from pursuit of big-name DPs

Real Salt Lake Technical Director Craig Waibel appeared on the Soccer Morning podcast on Wednesday morning in a wide-ranging interview with host Jason Davis. The ever-candid Waibel dropped a few not-so-small morsels during the segment, noting that RSL isn’t afraid to lose players to international duty or to target big name (or big money) Designated Players.

On the topic of DPs, Davis noted that RSL has historically targeted players that come at a smaller price tag as opposed to the Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins and Giovinco signings that have bolstered the LA Galaxy, Sounders FC and Toronto FC over the years.

“We are a homework-based club. We aren’t a big-ticket, buy-now club. We’ll do our research,” Waibel said. “Our owner has stated many times that he is interested in bringing in a well-known, world-class designated player. But it’s a matter of continuing to do our homework to be sure that guy fits in.”

Keane, Waibel notes, is the gold standard for big-money signings after leading the Galaxy to MLS Cup titles in three of his four seasons in Major League Soccer. Not only has he been remarkable on the field, but Keane has also been the locker room presence that LA needed to win championships. That is the most important element for RSL, as the club continues its mantra that the “Team is the Star.”

“If we can find another guy that fits into our locker room the way he fits into LA, that motivates the guys around him the way he motivates the guys around him, you will definitely see us signing a big-name Designated Player,” Waibel said. “It’s really the task of maintaining that and bringing the right guys in that fit the ‘Team is the Star’ mold. It’s a matter of doing the homework and bringing the right guys in.”

Davis also asked Waibel about the impending losses RSL will face during the Gold Cup this summer, when the club will likely lose a handful of players. Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando are regular call-ups for the U.S. National Team. Luis Gil is on the brink of becoming a regular at just 21 years old and defenders Tony Beltran and Chris Schuler are always on the cusp of a call-up for the U.S. Meanwhile, Alvaro Saborio and Joao Plata are regulars for Costa Rica and Ecuador, respectively.

With all of those players potentially missing time at various stages, the club’s depth will inevitably get tested. That, to the RSL Technical Director, is a welcome challenge for the entire technical staff.

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2015/0 ... g-name-dps

[edfmx86]

1-0 win in the our Desert Diamond Cup opener. Elias Vasquez is looking like a real exciting young player to look forward to. I softens the blow of losing Salcedo.

[edfmx86]

Match two is now in the books. We got the 3-1 win vs Tucson FC. A little frustrating that they weren't able to get more with the chances they created. Phillips looks like a real upgrade to Wingert and Olave looked great as well, hopefully he can stay healthy. Vasquez can end up being a good backup for turf games

[LittleOzzy]

How do you think Real Salt Lake will handle playing the MLS season along with the US Open and Champions League at the same time?

Any concern with fatigue? And do you think RSL should focus on just one trophy late in the season and forget about the other two?

[edfmx86]

How do you think Real Salt Lake will handle playing the MLS season along with the US Open and Champions League at the same time?

Any concern with fatigue? And do you think RSL should focus on just one trophy late in the season and forget about the other two?

Well, the front office has made it very clear that we want to go for all three trophies this season. Waibel has also said that RSL will not focus on supporters shield, but if it comes with our MLS Cup push, then it'd be nice. Personally, I don't think we have the depth to compete for every trophy this year. We have a lot of attack power, but our midfield and defensive depth consist of very young players. I do see our team struggling with fatigue in the final stretch of the season if we make a hard push to all three competitions.

[LittleOzzy]

For those who didn't see the news clip a couple weeks ago, REAL did get the go ahead with the Utah State Fair Park for the new minor league 8,000 seat stadium. It will be a soccer stadium first and foremost, but could obviously be seated for other events. It will cost a reported 18 million dollars. In prespective, the Rio Tinto Stadium is said to have cost $110 million dollars.

The official article with pictures of what it should look like:

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2015/0 ... 18-million" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Real Salt Lake owner pulls back offer to build USL stadium at Utah State Fairpark

Real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs owner Dell Loy Hansen notified Utah State Fairpark chairman of the board Roger Beattie and the Fairpark's executive director Michael Steele that the club has rescinded its January proposal for stadium development at the Fairpark, RSL announced Wednesday.

"I must convey our deepest gratitude to both Mr. Beattie, Mr. Steele, the Fairpark Board and countless others for their efforts in trying to make this happen," said Hansen, who committed to the Fairpark nearly one month ago, pending a lease extension from the state for the property. "Roger has been tireless in driving this project's vision and Mike has pushed for decisions to take the Fairpark into a new era. Unfortunately, the timing and process involved with this project no longer make the venue a viable option for the business plans regarding the Monarchs and ancillary properties."

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... e-fairpark

[LittleOzzy]

REAL SALT LAKE SEASON PREVIEW

2014 FINISH: Third in Western Conference (15-8-11), eliminated in conference semifinals

NOTABLE ADDITIONS: D Jamison Olave, D Demar Phillips, M Pecka

NOTABLE LOSSES: D Carlos Salcedo, M Ned Grabavoy, D Chris Wingert, D Nat Borchers, F Robbie Findley, M Sebastian Velasquez, D Kwame Watson-Siriboe

TOP NEWCOMER: Demar Phillips. Olave is on the list too, but he hardly counts as a newcomer after making nearly 100 appearances for RSL earlier in his career. Phillips comes in to replace the left back slot vacated when Wingert joined former manager Jason Kreis. The Jamaican international loves to get forward with his speed but also can help the club at the back. He couldn't catch on with Stoke City, where he made single-digit appearances in his two years with the Premier League outfit, but has excelled recently in Norway.

"With Demar, we got somebody that has an unbelievable engine, can get up and down the line tirelessly and serves in a fantastic ball, and again is not scared to get into a challenge," Cassar said.

http://www.goal.com/en-ca/news/4175/maj ... ID=TP_HN_1

Follow the link for the full article.

[edfmx86]

Undefeated Desert Diamond Cup champs is a good way to start the season. Heres hoping to more hardware this year.

[LittleOzzy]

With the start of the 20th Major League Soccer season just fives days away, a new era has begun on RealGM with the creation of an MLS forum.

Come discuss RSL on the NEW MLS Forum.

[edfmx86]

keep an eye out tonight

[instagram]https://instagram.com/p/zsEhaPMFV_/[/instagram]

Unveiling the shirt tonight on KUTV. Awesome of them to add the STH logo to it. It looks great in black.

[Reckless]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbdZd8SSKv4[/youtube]

experts didn't seem to like RSL this season saying "most likely to dissapoint".