“I was just playing RSL on FIFA on the Playstation”

BEEP! RSL starts preseason

By Ethan Gomberg in Salt Lake

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(Here is a photo gallery of RSL’s opening day.)

Sebastian Velasquez, just off being selected in the Superdraft from junior college, explained it best for all the new players with Real Salt Lake.

“I was just playing RSL on FIFA on the Playstation. I mean I scored goals with Morales, Beckerman, [Espindola]…now I am playing with them and I am in awe”.

Indeed, today was a  pretty exciting first day for the RSL draft pick.

Today RSL started its 2012 preseason with the traditional Beep Tests, where the coaching staff finds out where all the players are physically. There are some changes but today was a time for new guys to meet the vets. It was also a time the players and coaches met with media.

Coach Jason Kreis, in his 6^th year as RSL’s skipper, was asked a myriad of topics, but he seemed to hone in on a comparison with the MLS Cup winning and Western rivals LA Galaxy.

“Is there a gap [between RSL and] the Galaxy? I wouldn’t call it a gap, the difference was small [last year], we saw that over the season and playoffs… ball can bounce our way and we are in a championship. We are not the Galaxy, let’s just be RSL”.

2010 Defender of the Year Jamison Olave came into camp a little battered from the previous season. He said he was “100%” coming into 2012.

Vasquez said of Olave “he is the biggest guy I’ve ever seen. I need to get bigger”.

Several starters are out with injury. RSL and USMNT goalkeeper Nick Rimando had a amazing half against Panama this week but went out with a injury. He should be back soon. Captain Kyle Beckerman also was hurt while working out with the USMNT.

Kreis said “Decent amount of concern over injuries, [but] it’s a long season so I feel like there is still time. I feel we have players that can step in.”

Injuries probably won’t stop some of the new guys from making the most of it. Superdraft pick and defender Diogo del Alameda said “I bring the ability to go up and down the field” and mentioned that being with RSL was a dream come true for him.

Coach Kreis will need that youthful energy with a long stretch of games this year, including another run in the Champions League.

“2012 will not be as challenging as 2011…but I am looking forward to this year…it will be difficult with these players with little league experience”.

Perhaps youthful energy and raw talent will be enough to see RSL on to greater glory then what was almost achieved in 2011.

Speaking of the USMNT, Kreis also commented on Beckerman’s inclusion on Jurgen Klinnsman’s roster and of RSL’s depth.

“It’s a terrific thing for Kyle” said the coach, “but we have identified someone to come in and replace him. Yordany Alvarez has just been signed and we feel comfortable with him.”

Describing his teammates, star midfielder Javier Morales said “we have DPs, the Galaxy have a couple of good players, but we have DPs here.”

There is a lot of moving parts and some new faces on the beep tests on Thursday for RSL. But the goal remains the same. RSL wants to win a championship in 2012.

See Julie Harper’s photo gallery of the day.

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