Nelson Akwari
Age: 24 Height: 6-0
Last year's club: Real Salt Lake
Note: Bounced around RSL's backline last year, appearing in 23 games. With improved depth at the back, Akwari will likely bounce around at different positions again this year
Nikolas Besagno
Age: 17 Height: 6-1
Last year's club: Real Salt Lake
Note: The No. 1 overall pick in 2005, Besagno played in one game for RSL last year. A natural holding midfielder, Besagno has seen most of his playing time come in the back this preseason
Paul Broome
Age: 29 Height: 5-9
Last year's club: Real Salt Lake
Note: The speedy left fullback finally had offseason ankle surgery last week to clean up scar tissue from a previous injury. He'll be out at least another 11 weeks
Chris Brown
Age: 29 Height: 5-8
Last year's club: Real Salt Lake
Note: A midfielder starter almost all of last year, RSL experimented with Brown at right back late this past year, and now he's penciled in as the No. 1 right back on the team this year
Gustavo Cabrera
Age: 26 Height: 5-11
Last year's club: Real Salt Lake
Note: Joined the team last August, appearing in four games. His versatility, and the fact Guatemala didn't qualify for the World Cup, should enable Cabrera to see plenty of playing time in different spots this year
Willis Forko
Age: 22 Height: 5-10
Last year's club: Connecticut (NCAA)
Note: RSL selected Forko in the Supplemental Draft this year to prove more depth at left back, as well as increase the overall team speed on the defense
Cameron Knowles
Age: 23 Height: 6-3
Last year's club: Real Salt Lake
Note: Appeared in four games last year, including three starts. Even though he suffered through a miserable outing against Chivas last year, the coaches love his work rate, height and potential
Eddie Pope
Age: 32 Height: 6-1
Last year's club: Real Salt Lake
Note: An obvious RSL starter when healthy, Pope will likely miss at least a month this summer because of the World Cup. Pope played in 20 games last year, and RSL was 1-8-3 without him
Carey Talley
Age: 29 Height: 6-1
Last year's club: FC Dallas
Note: Talley was one of RSL's key offseason acquisitions. Not only can Talley play central defender, where he'll start on opening day, but he's also an experienced holding midfielder as well
Daniel Torres
Age: 28 Height: 5-11
Last year's club: Bodens BK (Sweden)
Note: A Costa Rican native, Torres is the likely opening-day starter at left back. He possesses good pace, and RSL's coaching staff likes the way he supports the attack.