Interesting discussion on the USL Pro forum (which I mod). LA2 posters claim 10+ MLS roster players were playing in USL this past year. Not sure if that was all at once but that's a ton of potential RSL players playing on Monarchs. I thought I read that only 5 MLS players could be loaned to a affiliate at one time. Thoughts?
If it's 5 at a time, then they're probably just sending groups of guys for a few games at a time. Send 1-5 for a few games, then a different set of guys when they return. Rinse/repeat for the season. I can see it also being a great way for players to come back from injury and get minutes for fitness. I can see someone like Schuler playing a few games as he's getting fit, without it hampering RSL. I always forget about the loaning of MLS players. That's another reason to have the stadium where it is. I keeps players closer to home and makes it easier to toss a few MLS guys onto the team for a few games without giving them a lot of extra travel time if it's a home game.
I recall from one of the early articles about the team they mentioned they wanted to keep the team somewhere in SLC mostly for logistical purposes, keep them close to RSL's offices and staff I guess. Plus I think they will be supported much better in SLC. Ogden has or had the Outlaws, and BYU's team is already in the PDL.
The Galaxy2 poster pointed out that in one USL Pro game last year 9 of the 11 on the field were either Galaxy MLS roster players or Galaxy academy players. That would be awesome for RSL. The rule thats solid for now is that only 5 academy players can be "loaned" to the USL Pro team at a time, otherwise those academy players forfeit their NCAA college availability.
RSL announces Freddy Juarez as head coach of the Monarchs. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/12/freddy-juarez-appointed-inaugural-real-monarchs-head-coach
Agreed, this is an excellent idea. I am happy that RSL did this method. I know hiring a renown NCAA coach or getting one of the 1st team assistants can be a good approach, but Juarez has basically been building Stage 1 of this team, now he can keep building them at the sticky Stage 2 before they will be ready for RSL 1st team.
Freddy is a good dude. He came to the RSL academy that first year when they recruited a few of his youth team kids in New Mexico. That first year, he was kind of a surrogate dad for the kids. He counseled them about homework, girls, homesickness, and made sure they did all of their homework. He was a big part of the glue that held the program together that first year. That became even more important as Greg Vanney, Mike Munoz and Martin Vasquez stepped through the revolving door as directors of the academy program. Freddy has been the one constant. I'm happy for him.
Haven't seen this posted yet, but RSL and the Fairpark representatives have reached an agreement for the Monarch's stadium. In order to expedite the process, DLH will pay for the whole thing. The only thing preventing construction is the Fairpark extending their current lease that ends in 2017. http://fox13now.com/2015/01/26/deal...ium-for-real-monarchs-at-utah-state-fairpark/
No amount of money, short of obscene, would have kept either guy. They had aspirations that RSL could never help them fulfill. Look at the clubs they went to.
[whine]But DLH isn't willing to open up his pocket book and spend on the club! He's running it into the ground![/whine]
I see a hierarchical shitshow and a bloated organization where the newcomer's input will be the last considered, respectively.
Yeah, but at least Jason got to go watch Man City train... and he can pick up to 3 players from the man city squad.
Looks like the Monarch's are starting to sign players: edit: hmmm, I guess a real link would help - http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2015/1/30...d-and-marquette-forward-to-join-real-monarchs
With RSL academy graduates Etiandro Tavares and Ricardo Velazco both involved in Real Salt Lake's preseason camp, and with Real Monarchs in need of a roster, further ex-academy signings are to be expected in the coming weeks. What do we know about Tavares and Velazco?
Velazco looks like a pretty good player. He's a midfielder with Louisville for a couple of years and played for Tucson FC of the PDL. long video here:
They are warm bodies. After all "...with Real Monarchs in need of a roster..." that sounds like a warm bodies call up.
I just skimmed over the Monarchs schedule and I didn't see any double-headers with RSL. Correct me if I'm wrong. I would think they'd try to do at least one. I'm not buying Monarchs season tix but I'll try to make it out to a game or two.