Part 1: Salt Lake Lineup Decisions; Who should start at forward for the playoff run?

Real Salt Lake has spent this season cycling through 5 different players at the forward position. Each player has had good moments and each player has drifted into obscurity for extended time periods. This article is an attempt to identify the most productive striker pair that Real Salt Lake can deploy heading into the playoffs. 

The Players:

Olmes Garcia - Fast, physical, and a constant nuisance to opposing defenses, Olmes stole the hearts of Salt Lake City fans early in the season with a fantastic finish in Vancouver and a dominating substitute performance against the LA Galaxy. 

Garcia pays tribute to a friend

Garcia has an impressive 5 goals and 4 assists in under 1,000 minutes of league play. He has not found the net, however, since July 13th in a 3 - nil win at Dallas and he is yet to score a goal in a game in which he starts. It seems clear that Garcia helps his team the most as a 2nd half substitute. For now. Expect to see this guy earn a consistent starting role in the next 2 years but he's just not there yet.

Devon Sandoval - Sandoval is another exciting, young striker on the Salt Lake roster and he has scored some clutch goals for the club in his rookie campaign. Sandoval was crucial in the team's Open Cup run and has chipped in 3 league goals. Devon, as oppose to Garcia, has relished the starting role, with all 3 league goals coming in matches where he started.

Bruiser

Sandoval is still learning what Jason Kreis expects from his players and although the work rate is there, Sandoval still has a ways to go before his tactical awareness and participation in build up play are where they need to be. Look for him to be a factor late in games when coming off the bench. The possible exception being if Saborio runs cold but I have a tough time seeing Kreis bench him as long as he is healthy.  

To be continued....

Colorado Rapids : Should We Be Paying More Attention?

On June 29th the Colorado Rapids came from behind to beat the Impact in Montreal. The win snapped a 3 game losing streak for the Rapids and propelled them into a two and a half month stretch where they went 7-1-4 in the league.




Colorado has matched up well with the best of the western conference; beating the LA Galaxy twice, going undefeated in 3 games against Real Salt Lake, and managing a tie with Seattle at Century Link Field. Colorado plays Portland this Friday (NBCSN) with the chance to take even more points from a team near the top of the western conference.

Colorado is not exactly sneaking up on anybody, they are third in the most recent MLSsoccer.com power rankings, but most of the media attention remains on Los Angeles, Seattle, Salt Lake and even Portland. Does Colorado's young roster have enough talent and exuberance (maybe ignorance?) to finish out the season in the top five (or three) of the western conference? Do guys like Edson Buddle and Marvel Wynne provide enough leadership to make the Rapids believe they can beat the Galaxy or Sounders in a two-game series?

If Colorado finishes 4th in the west and faces Portland in the playoff round, at home, then they will prove a very difficult task for an equally inexperienced Timbers team. Beyond that, if the regular season is any indication, the Rapids are capable of stealing a series from one of the top 3 in the western conference.