Although Real Salt Lake enters Saturday’s match with the New York Red Bulls clawing for a spot in the playoffs, the RSL players might be fighting for their jobs.
Head coach Jason Kreis has made it clear that the end of this season will help frame the club he produces for next year’s campaign.
“We are going to use all the last games to give several players auditions,” Kreis said. “All the players are on audition for me in every game and every training session and reserve game.”
Kreis plans on upgrading the overall level of play by his club. New acquisitions as well as familiar standbys have shown flashes of skill during competition.
“I think we have felt for a very long time that we are getting to be a deep squad,” Kreis said.
One player that has contributed limitedly, but has impressed of late is forward Kyle Brown. Brown has scored two goals in 286 minutes of play. Considering goals per minute, Brown is the most explosive player on Real’s roster.
“He’s started to come into some form,” Kreis said. “We’ve noticed that in the trainings and in the reserve games.”
Brown recently showed his worth by scoring the game-winning strike in a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 23.
The last time Real Salt Lake visited the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 26, 2006, the team left with its worst defeat in its three-year existence.
The 6-0 defeat included a hat trick by Edson Buddle in fewer than 20 minutes as well as a one goal-two assist performance by John Wolyniec. The game was scoreless at the intermission but things quickly got out of control for Real in the second half.
The good news for RSL is that the venue is about the only thing that has stayed the same.
Nine players that suited up for Real in the blowout are no longer playing for the team.
Most notably, Jay Nolly has been replaced in goal by Nick Rimando, Jason Kreis became coach and Jeff Cunningham, Chris Klein and Mehdi Ballouchy have been traded away for new talent.
As for the Red Bulls, Buddle found a new home in Los Angeles.
Nevertheless, New York still knows how to score. Striker Juan Pablo ngel is right in the mix for the Golden Boot Award with his 16 goals. He currently sits second in the race behind D.C. United’s Luciano Emilio.
Seventeen-year-old Jozy Altidore is playing beyond his years with eight goals and four assists in limited time. The youngster spent much of the summer lighting up the world’s stage for the Under-20 U.S. National team.
Therefore, Rimando will once again be on guard.
“I’ve always had confidence in (our goalkeeper),” midfielder Kyle Beckerman said.
Maegan BurrYura Movsisyan fights for the ball Saturday in RSL’s win over Colorado Rapids.