Comments on: RSL Signs Russell http://wvhooligan.com/2008/07/23/rsl-signs-russell/ A look at Major League Soccer (MLS) through the eyes of a MLS writer and fan. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:08:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: MattC http://wvhooligan.com/2008/07/23/rsl-signs-russell/comment-page-1/#comment-11635 MattC Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:25:22 +0000 http://wvhooligan.com/?p=1347#comment-11635 Well RSL has two open roster spots and has promised to fill them in the transfer window. They had their trialists in a few weeks ago, apparently including Russell, but were very secretive about who they were working out. The fans, and the brass for that matter, are pretty much in agreement that RSL needs a winger and a forward. I have not actually seen Russell play so I don't know if he will be the wide attacking player that we need but if so then expect RSL to follow it up with a Striker signing. I have actually heard rumors that RSL fans can expect an announcement on the other signing by the end of the week. I personally really wanted Reinaldo who was playing in Austrialia but apparently he turned down MLS for the Japanese league. Don't even get me started on how MLS hurts its teams in transfers and international competitions with its insane roster rules and stupidly low salary cap. Back to RSL and its future. IMO, RSL has the best center back duo in the league with Olave and Borchers and it isn't even close. The problem is that RSL only has central midfielders. Playing Kovalenko and Beckerman at the same time makes us too defensive. Duechar needs service but has nobody to get him the ball. A quality finisher and a skilled wide player could quickly make RSL a real title contender. I know that seems laughable to most but RSL really does play quality soccer and usually outshoots its opponent by wide margins. Well RSL has two open roster spots and has promised to fill them in the transfer window. They had their trialists in a few weeks ago, apparently including Russell, but were very secretive about who they were working out.

The fans, and the brass for that matter, are pretty much in agreement that RSL needs a winger and a forward. I have not actually seen Russell play so I don’t know if he will be the wide attacking player that we need but if so then expect RSL to follow it up with a Striker signing. I have actually heard rumors that RSL fans can expect an announcement on the other signing by the end of the week. I personally really wanted Reinaldo who was playing in Austrialia but apparently he turned down MLS for the Japanese league. Don’t even get me started on how MLS hurts its teams in transfers and international competitions with its insane roster rules and stupidly low salary cap.

Back to RSL and its future. IMO, RSL has the best center back duo in the league with Olave and Borchers and it isn’t even close. The problem is that RSL only has central midfielders. Playing Kovalenko and Beckerman at the same time makes us too defensive. Duechar needs service but has nobody to get him the ball. A quality finisher and a skilled wide player could quickly make RSL a real title contender. I know that seems laughable to most but RSL really does play quality soccer and usually outshoots its opponent by wide margins.

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