It's no secret that Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger is an attack-oriented guy, but don't think for a minute it comes at the expense of his defense. Just look at the collection of defenders the expansion MLS franchise has acquired.
Smack dab in the middle of RSL's defense is Eddie Pope, a U.S. National Team defender and MLS veteran who is arguably the best defender in the history of the country.
Ellinger couldn't have picked a better player to build his defense around.
"He's a settling influence on the team," said Ellinger. "There definitely is no panic button on his body. Having that composure is hopefully the one asset we need to turn us into a top-rated defense."
The U.S. National Team could've used that composure in Sunday's World Cup qualifying loss to Mexico, but Pope was unavailable because of a hip-flexor injury.
Real Salt Lake could've also used Pope's calming influence last Thursday. In its final preseason game of the season against Kansas City in Tulsa, Okla., RSL gave up four goals during a 30-minute span in the second half. Pope was rendered helpless after being subbed out at the half as a precautionary measure with his hip.
In hindsight, the team believes the 4-1 loss was a good thing.
"At the end of the day, I'd rather lose that game 4-1 than lose this weekend 4-1," said Brian Dunseth, a central defense who was on the field during the defensive collapse. "Not that it takes anything off the performance at all, but I think it was a good learning experience for us . . . ."
The timing was perfect.
After a sketchy defensive performance against D.C. United in its first preseason in February, RSL's defense gradually became a strength the remainder of training camp. Perhaps the players were starting to feel a little overconfident entering the Kansas City game.
"It was a good wake-up call," said Dunseth. "It was the perfect motivation . . . to have a strong week of practice leading up to the first game."
That first game is this Saturday at the MetroStars in New York, and Ellinger expects his experienced defensive core to have a good game.
Joining Pope as projected backline starters are Matt Behncke out left, Nelson Akwari centrally and Rusty Pierce out right. Dunseth might replace Akwari in the starting lineup, but that likely will be a game-day decision based on the status of Dunseth's knee.
"If you look across the board at those five guys and the number of games they've played in the league, I'd have to imagine we have more experience in the back than most teams in the league," said Ellinger.
Pope has been in MLS for nine years and Dunseth seven. Dunseth would have one more, but the captain of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team played in Sweden last year, and was named MVP of the second division by a local newspaper.
Pierce is entering his sixth season, while Akwari and Behncke are entering their fourth.
Pierce is regarded as one of the most rugged defenders in the league, which is exactly why RSL acquired him. During his five-year career in New England, Pierce was known as a defender who discovered your weakness and exploited that. For Real Salt Lake forward Jason Kreis, who played with Dallas for nine years, his weakness was small-talk. That's precisely why Pierce made a point to talk to Kreis whenever the two were around each other on the field.
"Rusty has a reputation as being a tenacious defender, a very intense player in training and in games," said Ellinger. "He doesn't like to get beat, and he's very difficult to get beat."
Defensive depth was a concern entering training camp, but the past month appeared to solve those problems. RSL drafted both Cameron Knowles and Michael Lookingland in the supplemental draft shortly before training camp, and the central defenders have both enjoyed an impressive preseason.
Sergio Flores is another emerging defender. The Smithfield, Utah, native entered training camp as a forward, but out of necessity Ellinger used him at right fullback during a preseason game against San Jose. He was so impressive, he now has a new home.
"Sergio is turning into a pretty solid outside back," said Ellinger.
Marlon Rojas, a defensive starter on the Trinidad & Tobago National Team, is always an option defensively — even though he'll likely be used in the midfield.
Real Salt Lake released Bosnian defender Senad Halilovic on Tuesday. Halilovic spent nearly six weeks with the team in training camp, but Ellinger said he decided to go in a different direction.
Real Salt Lake Defenders
Nelson Akwari
Age: 23 Height: 6-0
Previous Club: Columbus (MLS)
Note: Acquired in the expansion draft. Appeared in a career-high 19 games with Columbus last year, starting 16. In his MLS rookie season in 2002, he appeared in seven games with the MetroStars.
Matt Behncke
Age: 25 Height: 6-3
Previous Club: FC Dallas (MLS)
Note: Played a career-high 17 games, with 14 starts last year for Dallas. Drafted by Dallas in the second round of the 2002 SuperDraft. RSL acquired him in this year's expansion draft.
Brian Dunseth
Age: 28 Height: 6-1
Previous Club: Bodens BK (Sweden)
Note: Was named MVP of the Swedish Supperetan (second division) by a leading local newspaper last year. Prior to heading overseas, he spent seven years in the league with four different teams.
Sergio Flores
Age: 20 Height: 5-11
Previous Club: El Tigre (Bolivia)
Note: A native of Smithfield, Utah, Flores has played forward virtually his whole life. RSL experimented with him at defensive during training camp, and he appears to have found a new home.
Cameron Knowles
Age: 22 Height: 6-3
Previous Club: University of Akron
Note: Native of New Zealand, he started virtually every game during his four-year career at Akron. Acquired in supplemental draft.
Michael Lookingland
Age: 21 Height: 6-2
Previous Club: Bucknell University
Note: Started all 76 games he was available at Bucknell. Named Patriot League defensive player of the year last season. During his senior season, Akron only allowed three goals in 13 conference games. Acquired in supplemental draft.
Rusty Pierce
Age: 25 Height: 5-10
Previous Club: New England (MLS)
Note: Joins RSL after spending all five years with New England. Was acquired in the expansion draft. Known for his tenacious defending. Injuries limited him to just 14 games during the 2004 season.
Eddie Pope
Age: 31 Height: 6-1
Previous Club: MetroStars (MLS)
Note: One of the most accomplished defenders in U.S. soccer history, he started on the 1998 and 2002 World Cup teams. Played with D.C. United for seven years, but spent the past two years in New York.
Marlon Rojas
Age: 25 Height: 5-10
Previous Club: Joe Public (Trinidad & Tobago)
Note: Plays left fullback for the Trinidad & Tobago National Team, but will most likely play left midfield for RSL. Played collegiately at St. John's University and Tampa University.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com
Coming Thursday: Goalkeepers