Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell; What Next?

Discussion in 'Real Salt Lake' started by Arelius, Jul 23, 2008.

  1. Arelius

    Arelius Member

    Mar 23, 2004
    http://www.sltrib.com/realsaltlake/ci_9973223

    Last week Garth said that one signing was contingent on another. It sounds like this signing was the one that would determine the second one. Look for news on a second signing in the near future.

    http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700245409,00.html

    Images:
    http://www.rbkweb.no/images/russell.jpg
    http://www.vg.no/uploaded/image/bilderigg/2004/05/10/1084182829.53482.jpg
    http://img.nrk.no/img/420286.jpeg
    http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/5137...35F8FA9CA92A6DC9D79456C82E74FFF3FE211717AB081
    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Robbie_Russell_2006_05_04.jpg

    Sites:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbie_Russell_(soccer)
    http://www.soccer-magic.com/mainpages.php?pid=Robbie_Russell

    Previous news items:
    http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=players&id=0006
    http://www.soccertimes.com/americans/2004/may10.htm
    http://www.soccertimes.com/americans/2006/jul17.htm
    http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=001576
     
  2. ccb1212

    ccb1212 Member

    Sep 5, 2006
    West Jordan,UT
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  3. BG86

    BG86 Member

    Feb 22, 2008
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    I think that this is a great signing for us. I hope he can stay healthy!!!
     
  4. Arelius

    Arelius Member

    Mar 23, 2004
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    Robbie will arrive in the Salt Lake area tomorrow and should be available for selection in RSL’s next league match, on Monday vs. Toronto FC.
     
  5. SenordrummeR2

    SenordrummeR2 Member+

    Jul 21, 2008
    Layton, UT
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    Sweet. Hopefully this will give us that needed boost to put the ball in the net.
     
  6. Arelius

    Arelius Member

    Mar 23, 2004
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    I wonder what this signing means for Andy Williams...

    ...or Joy.

    ...or Beltran.
     
  7. kirsoccer

    kirsoccer BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 29, 2007
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    I'm curious about Garth's comments regarding keeping this quiet because of the allocation process. I found a few comments about this and posted them here - Keepin' It Real.

    Does anybody know why in the world this would be a concern? Is anyone familiar with the Robbie Rogers situation last year to know if this could have been a similar situation?

    Also, it sounds like a release - so is this a free transfer?
     
  8. keeptheslinrsl

    Mar 17, 2008
    Section 26!
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    IMO Andy is a better sub than a starter. Bring him on when Robbie is gassed.
     
  9. kirsoccer

    kirsoccer BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 29, 2007
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    The good news is that with Wingert, Beltran, Sturgis and Russell we have some versatility.
     
  10. ajr_RSL

    ajr_RSL Member

    Sep 26, 2007
    Mesa, Az
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    so his wife has a place in park city... i'm sure that helped the move to RSL
     
  11. kirsoccer

    kirsoccer BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 29, 2007
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    Not to mention the Duke connection.
     
  12. Arelius

    Arelius Member

    Mar 23, 2004
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    The Duke connection (if you're referring to a connection with Kreis) is a tenuous one since their collegiate playing days did not overlap.
     
  13. kirsoccer

    kirsoccer BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 29, 2007
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    I think the roots may be deeper than you give them credit, but I have no insight into this. I wasn't referring at all to playing days, but connections instead. And actually I was referring more about Garth than Jason.
     
  14. ajr_RSL

    ajr_RSL Member

    Sep 26, 2007
    Mesa, Az
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell



    Garth did say something on 700 that made it sound like the duke coach had coached all three of them
     
  15. Ismitje

    Ismitje Super Moderator

    Dec 30, 2000
    The Palouse
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    Perfectly happy with this signing, and waiting for the other one to fully evaluate what we've got.

    Amazingly, this gives us a good, versatile player without overly impacting our available budget this season - or taking one of the international slots we have at our disposal.
     
  16. Arelius

    Arelius Member

    Mar 23, 2004
  17. Cerebus

    Cerebus New Member

    Mar 7, 2008
  18. soccerbum23

    soccerbum23 Member

    May 21, 2006
    Lost in Utah
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    How much is RSL forking out for Russell?
     
  19. kirsoccer

    kirsoccer BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 29, 2007
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    I believe it's a free transfer since there was word that Viborg released him from his contract, and Garth said that we got him for a "reasonable salary."
     
  20. soccaisthecoolest

    Jul 22, 2008
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    I've read the bio. Is it just me or does it seem like this guy is just unfulfilled hype?
     
  21. beaveman

    beaveman New Member

    Feb 12, 2007
    Mapleton, UT
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    Wow, this guy is faster than Robbie Findley? Does this mean the other players will be able to press forward just a little bit more because he will be quick enough to get back without getting beat on defense? Its always been a complaint of mine that RSL doesn't seem to send enough guys forward at times...

    I still recall reading somewhere that this guy isn't a very good crosser, and that does alarm me.

    Edit: I found where I heard the crossing statement - wasn't a news article, just a BS post. I guess i won't judge his crossing ability until I see it in person.
     
  22. stucknutah

    stucknutah Member+

    Feb 14, 2002
    In the Office
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    What he gives RSL is a true outside mid who will punish MLS teams who over-rotate with fast runs down the right side (something Andy, despite the fact he has played well this year, doesn't have in his arsenal). Think Klein, but MUUUUUCH faster. What we may see are some true, 3 player attacks (RR + both forwards) over the top, compared to the 2 player ones (just our forwards with really late arriving back side midfielders) we are used to seeing.

    No-one in MLS is going to like having to account for RR and Findley at the same time...speed to burn plus a target...NICE.
     
  23. TapocoL

    TapocoL Member

    Feb 7, 2007
    Bay Area, CA
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    I am seriously wondering if they were looking at two similar midfielders. And if we didn't sign Russell, then they would sign the second. Thats what I thought the contigency was.

    Anyways, I am thinking there are only 3 positions left that could be picked up with our last roster spot.
    Left-sided winger/mid - With the emergence of Morales playing great attacking ball, I would think Beckerman could start playing more defensively and maybe moving back to holding mid. Then adding a left mid that plays wide and fast, could be great for our counter-attacking (which has been pretty non-existant this season) and our width on the field. Beckerman could also roam forward a little more, since we won't be expecting our backs to provide the width as much as now.
    Forward - Another forward that can start producing, or at least put a little more pressure on our current forwards to start producing.
    D-Mid - I have a feeling there isn't much want here from Kreis because Kovalenko has played every minute for the past 12 games (excluding the suspended game). But, I would like an upgrade here, until Sturgis starts putting in consistant time here.
     
  24. penoman

    penoman New Member

    Nov 27, 2007
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    so great we got anouther norway or denmark player that is still 2nd rate and not a star we got enough of them. men mark my words jared borgetti is on his way open the gates its time we got a finisher and star, let the games begin
     
  25. Arelius

    Arelius Member

    Mar 23, 2004
    Re: Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Robbie Russell

    My big concern with Russell is his fitness. He seems to have had injury issues throughout his career.
     

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