The one that started it all. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2005 Superdraft #1 pick for the newly formed expansion team Real Salt Lake: Nikolas Besagno. After apparently impressing John Ellinger at the Bradenton Academy as well as playing for the US U17's, this was the guy that was gonna put us on the MLS map. End result: 8 appearances in 3 years and 0 goals.
Yura's cousin whose name escapes me. I could look it up but i'm on vacation pool-side (ok, on the beach, not pool-side) and im waiting for waibels call any second.....
Here is a weird one for you: Cody Arnoux The guy played for Everton (reserve team) I totally forgot about this guy.
I am embarrassed to say I hadn't thought of him. Too traumatic still. What a way to start the franchise. Do you realize that he is still only 29 years old, and hence in his prime as a soccer player? He has landed on his feet, playing and coaching for ten years after the inaugural season for PDL-level teams in and around Seattle. He's a senior software designer now, and just married.
that has got to be a hell of a introduction / interview for the guy. Interviewer: "So we did some research on you and, funny story, there was this guy who was drafted to play soccer in MLS in 2005, isn't that crazy?!" Nic: "Actually, that's me" Interviewer: "How so? It says this guy was only 17 at the time he was drafted. He definitely should still be playing soccer" Nic: "Yeah..."
To be fair, I think the franchise was counting on Pope and Mathis more than the draft. But, to have the #1 pick and put all the pressure of a new franchise on the second youngest ever pick (after Adu) is a big ask.
Honorable mention to Ritchie Kotschau. An MLS veteran defender who was red-carded 1 minute into his first of 3 games with the team. I sorta feel bad that this is my only knowledge of the guy, who seems to have had a decent MLS career. On the other hand, though, it's hilarious. You can see the bind I'm in.
Justin Braun. Utah native that had a short and unproductive stint with RSL but was quickly traded for Aaron Maund. Probably best known for his mom's public intoxication, although I never got the details of that story if there are any.
Second best karate kick I've seen from RSL. Atiba's flying kick during the Real Madrid exposition game is still #1.
Forget who he ended up with after us. Just remember thinking that it would've been hilarious if the SG's had made up a "Justin's mom has got it going on" verse when he came back to town on the opposing side.
I used to work with a guy that was really good friends with Braun. According to him, Justin actually made more money moving to NASL. So... there is that.
IIRC, he came in seriously overweight, as if he could play in the league that out of shape. I did see the 2 minutes of play. It was... wait, I know I saw it, but I remember nothing of it, except an incredibly high cross field pass involving him... don't know.. gone.
On the plus side (assuming I'm recalling correctly) didn't Esky's dog take a dump on the field in RES after the last game of the season after which he was traded? Point to note, I liked Esky because he gave 100% and had some quality. Pity that concussions shortened his career and effectiveness.
I don't think he qualifies for this thread. He played a lot of games. (For that reason, I don't think Esky fits in this thread, either.)
Anybody we can look back at in bemusement (or shame) either because of how they were touted and then played, or how we argued unjustifiably, or who acted something of the fool, or whatever. All belongs.
Thank you for the clarification. In which case, nobody belongs quite like Atiba Harris, AKA, the Walking Red Card (even got a red in the friendly with Real Madrid). An altogether nice guy and hard worker who has kept himself in MLS through 2017 despite his propensity for fouling and lack of clear abilities that suit a particular position. He's now in Oklahoma City after a short stint with a team in the Mexican 2nd division.
lack of clear abilities? The dude won EVERY header. Granted a lot of the time he fouled to win it, but he won EVERY HEADER. I've never seen a guy so good in the air and so mediocre at everything else.