Losses are never particularly easy to take as an RSL fan, and losses on the road are nothing particularly new. But something seemed more than just amiss against Houston, and while you can chalk some of it up to confidence and form, there are some other fundamental issues at hand that have popped up time and time again, and I believe there’s enough evidence to take a critical approach to some of those.
First, a quick look at the match. We did quite well to score our two goals, and we could have had more — Luis Gil’s shot that flashed wide from a great position is one glaring example, and Saborio had some opportunities served right to him that he could have put away. If we’re needing to find positives, the two goals serve well. Luis Gil did well to find himself in a good position for a header from Fabian Espindola’s cross, and Fabian Espindola went on some swashbuckling runs that were quite shockingly good.
There were plenty of negatives, though, and on the balance, that 3-2 scoreline might not seem overly harsh. For the last 30 minutes of play, we were chasing the game, unable to string together more than a few passes, losing the ball in good positions, and generally looking out of our depth. We seemed, at 2-2, to be playing for a draw, bunkering down and trying to soak up the pressure. Clearly, it didn’t work, and I think there are systemic reasons for that.
I’ll address some more match-specific concerns in the following days, but today, I’d like to turn my attention toward three players who did not come out of the match against Houston with much credit to their name: Arturo Alvarez, Collen Warner, and Alvaro Saborio.
Arturo Alvarez: I’ve addressed the problem before, but I think we have solid evidence: Arturo Alvarez does not fit in the Kreis’s system. To fit him into the side (and subsequently field enough midfielders) we were forced into playing a routine 4-4-2 with wingers, with Warner on the right and Alvarez on the left. Ideally, our squad should be able to fit that, but we get an awfully misshapen formation when we do. Kyle Beckerman, who usually sits back, is forced to move forward, and Luis Gil, who is more comfortable in an attacking role, is forced to move backward. Neither Gil nor Beckerman, who have easily defined roles in Kreis’s diamond system, are given much opportunity to shine.
When that happens, you’d hope that Alvarez would shine and make it known why he deserves a spot in our side, and that he does have a role he can serve — even if it means a tactical reshape. That much would assure the backroom — and also importantly, RSL fans — that Alvarez has a role to play. But he’s failed to take his chances this season, and though you can chalk his initial performances up to rustiness or an unfamiliarity with the system, those arguments only last so long. The backroom staff will certainly have hoped for more in Alvarez’s first season, particularly in a league that he has played in for 8 years. The backroom staff must be full of questions: Can he commit himself in defense and still have an impact in offense? Does he justify his wage packet at RSL?
The big question: Does he fit at Real Salt Lake?
Collen Warner: Here’s a lad I still don’t have a good feel for, even though he’s played in 18 MLS matches (ten of them starts) this season. He’s apparently more comfortable in the attacking role, but when he got a chance there, he looked rather ordinary, and he disappeared for swathes of matches. Here’s what’s really odd about his appearances: In every match he’s played this season, he’s either come off the bench or he’s been substituted.
Further, for being an ostensibly attacking midfielder, he’s taken surprisingly few shots. In 18 appearances, he’s taken 9 shots — half a shot a match. He’s managed three assists, which isn’t so bad, but Warner doesn’t exactly set things alight when he’s on the pitch. Indeed, it’s more likely that he’ll just not be found for portions of the match. It’s entirely telling that a 17-year-old — albeit a very talented one — has been given the spot Warner might consider himself best for.
The big question: Is he good enough for Real Salt Lake?
Alvaro Saborio: Let’s get one thing straight from the get-go. I think Alvaro Saborio can be a very good player, even with his occasional histrionics. I even think he fits perfectly in our system, serving in the central role while someone like Fabian Espindola or Paulo Jr. makes runs all over the pitch. Why is he being questioned, then? Saborio has found himself lacking in mobility and, at times, motivation. His work rate pales in comparison to Espindola’s (though, given Espindola’s ability to just run and run and run, I suppose that’s not surprising) and many others on the pitch.
What we need from Saborio is simple: He needs to be one of the players that picks up the squad and lifts the spirits. He’s got the technical skill and mental acuity, but he’s just not been one to change the game. This season, we’ve needed that more than ever.
The big question: Can we get the best out of him?
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