Five big questions for Real Salt Lake

Posted Saturday, December 26, 2009 by MLSnet.com

With the 2009 season in the rearview mirror, here are the answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding Real Salt Lake as the club prepares for 2010:

WHAT DO REAL NEED TO DO TO DEFEND THEIR 2009 MLS CUP TITLE?

Simply put, Real Salt Lake must find a way to duplicate their newfound ability to win away from Rio Tinto Stadium. Once RSL overcame continued road game struggles in the playoffs, a clear path to its first ever MLS Cup opened up.

One reason Salt Lake ended up being in the precarious situation of needing a victory in the final week of the regular season -- and favorable results elsewhere -- was the team's anemic 2-11-2 road record. Several players on the RSL roster have made it clear that being a more consistent club in 2010 tops the list of their offseason goals.

WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '09?

Nothing tops Robbie Russell drilling home the deciding penalty kick in the MLS Cup Final. It was a sweet moment for Russell in particular, after he had a near costly defensive lapse that put RSL in a hole early on the second leg of their semifinal victory against the Columbus Crew.

Ned Grabavoy came through in similarly clutch fashion when he drilled a winning penalty kick in the shootout victory over Chicago in the Eastern Conference Championship.

Nick Rimando also provided classic moments in each game when he set up those game-winners with clutch saves in each shootout.

WHO SHOWED THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?

Robbie Findley went from being mostly relegated to the bench through the last two months of the regular season to being Salt Lake's most consistent clutch performer in the playoffs. Findley more than doubled his season goal scoring tally from a year ago and appears poised to be RSL's main striking option.

With the departure of Yura Movsisyan, there is no question that Findley becomes a fixture in the starting 11 next season. Findley is under contract for 2010 with an option year remaining. RSL has every intention of picking up that option.

WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO CRACK THE STARTING LINEUP?

Now that Movsisyan is gone, Pablo Campos could work his way into the starting 11 next season. RSL head coach Jason Kreis has long been a fan of Campos' style of play and Salt Lake traded for the striker with an eye on him filling the void created by Movsisyan's departure.

Campos' presence up top allows RSL to utilize a 4-3-3 formation when tactical situations call for it, because his skill set allows him to function as a target forward. If RSL goes to a 4-4-2, his biggest competition for starter's minutes will likely be Fabian Espindola.

WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?

Losing Movsisyan to Danish club Randers means that Salt Lake will likely need to look for another striker to shore up its depth up top. RSL has three capable forwards in the fold already with Findley, Espindola and Campos.

It will be tough to go through an entire season with just those three players for two reasons: First, RSL can look forward to a meatier schedule with their participation in the CONCACAF Champions League. Second, if RSL breaks out its 4-3-3 formation next season, Kreis will need more options up top to effectively use it.

RSL made a push to shore up its ranks up top by acquiring seldom used Houston reserve Abe Thompson off the waiver wire shortly after the season ended. But Thompson is unlikely to contend for a starting spot with Salt Lake.