Player name
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Grade
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Min - Goals - Asst
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Reason For Grade
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To Improve
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Jean Alexandre
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I
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0-0-0
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Jean is simply waiting for his chance to get some more playing time. He has had a call up with the Haitian National Team, and played the full 120 in the US Open Cup win over San Jose.
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Jean is in his second year and now is just waiting for his chance to get more time, the US Open Cup and CCC will provide it.
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Kyle Beckerman
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B+
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720 - 2 -2
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I have been a fairly harsh critic of Kyle over the last couple years, but late last season he stepped it up into a new gear and that has carried over to this year. He has provided solid defense and in the time where Javi was hurt and the offense needed a spark, he was there. Kyle is the leader of this team and if he keeps up his focus and energy, it could be a good year for RSL.
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All that I can ask of Kyle is to continue to be the leader he has shown himself to be. We will need his focus and drive all year long as RSL faces their longest season ever.
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Tony Beltran
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B-
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347 - 0 - 1
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Fighting for a spot on the backline is a tough task for any player, but often Tony will find his size to be a handicap, like against Houston. The upside is that his speed makes him a great choice against teams where size is less important. I think Tony is be best offensive threat for RSL's outside backs.
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The only thing Tony can do is ensure when he gets minutes, that he takes full advantage of them. I expect as the season goes along that his speed and offensive ability will get him back into the normal starting 11.
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Nat Borchers
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B
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693 - 0 - 0
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Rock solid, when you get a guy who is one of the best at what he does 95% of the time, you depend on him and that is what RSL does. Last year Nat had a full time job defending and trying to keep an emotional Olave out of trouble. Now all that Nat has to do is be the solid player that he is. A couple early season lapses had me concerned but over the last month it has been back to the rock solid Nat we all rely on.
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Stay healthy, and do whatever it takes to keep the communication flowing on the back line. With so many target players on set pieces I expect that Nat will find more chances than in the past, he will need to convert them to help the team out.
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Pablo Campos
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B-
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72 - 0 - 1
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Recovery from an injury has allowed Pablo to get back into the lineup for RSL, thanks to some injuries of others. Pablo has done exactly what has been asked of him, and was the creative end of one of the best goals I have seen in several years as he feed a perfect ball to Saborio against TFC.
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Stay healthy, with Robbie getting a USMNT callup, the minutes should add up quickly for Pablo and his ability to work well with Saborio is going to give RSL two big target forwards. This could be really big in the CCC later this summer.
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Fabian Espindola
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B
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373 - 1 - 1
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Before getting hurt Fabi was on a pace that was similar to 2008 and was one of RSL's main offensive weapons. His relationship with Javi and Nelson makes him all the more dangerous for RSL. He does need to work on his mental game a bit, as he too often gets upset and makes mental mistakes and silly plays, as the season goes on I look for Fabi to have a huge role.
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Focus and staying in control, are the keys for Fabi. He has all the ability to be a huge star in MLS but it will require him to play within himself. Getting healthy and then staying that way will be a huge part of what RSL will need from Fabi this year.
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Robbie Findley
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C+
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473 - 1 - 2
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Robbie had huge expectations going into this season, mostly put on him by himself. While Robbie was trying to get his goal scoring touch going this year, he did pass up a couple chances to create for others. Robbie got his call up to the USMNT, and it seemed to click a switch for Robbie who played last weekend with more energy and passion than I had seen in a while. The result was a good goal, and several opportunities. I can't claim to know where Robbie will play next year, but this year the expectations are still very high for him.
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I had hoped that the January and February USMNT camps would have given Robbie to work on the most glaring weakness he has, a rough first touch. If Robbie can figure out how to bring the ball down like Saborio or Campos, he will become a huge threat on both the team and national team level.
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Luis Gil
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I
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0 - 0 - 0
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Luis made a choice to play in MLS, he knew where he wanted to play and RSL was willing make a deal to get him here. He has a huge upside, but as a young player he will need to practice a lot of patience. Here is a great article about Luis
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Continue to work hard both with RSL and the various US Camps that you will get call ups for. You have the skills to be a superstar; you have some great players to learn from. Spend a lot of time listening and watching how they go about their business
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Nelson Gonzalez
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B
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141 - 0 - 1
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Nelson plays with a youthful enthusiasm that is welcomed and fun to watch, but he has to remember that as important as the attack is, controlling the match and completing quality passes are just as important. Minutes will continue to come as RSL deals with call ups, injuries, and a busy schedule. Nelson needs to be ready to take full advantage of those chances.
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Nelson is another player who will get more playing minutes as the season goes along, he must continue to play well and focus on how he can continue to improve his play. Focus should be paid to completing quality passes and getting into the right position to keep the attacks moving forward and resulting in goals.
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Ned Grabavoy
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B+
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176 - 0 - 0
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The departure of Clint Mathis left a open spot in the RSL midfield, Ned claimed it in the preseason and in the first few matches of the season. An injury took him out of the lineup, but Ned's willing- ness to do whatever it took to get back to being fit have him back and ready to go almost a month before most people expected him back. It is that heart and passion, along with his ability on the ball that have given RSL a real valuable player who can boost an already deep midfield roster.
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I have to hope that Ned isn't rushing back from his injury; the midfield is the one place where RSL's depth is very solid. I can't wait to see how the battle for a starting spot in the RSL midfield compels Ned and others to up their game.
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Will Johnson
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B
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705 - 1 - 0
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Will is the guy who simply doesn't stop, he plays like a man possessed and for RSL that is a good thing. He will attack every 50-50 ball; he is the embodiment of the 11 men playing defense, 11 men playing offense. Will has a rocket for a leg and can provide quality set pieces; it was his quick thinking against TFC, that got RSL their early goal. It is that kind of game awareness and smarts that makes Will such a vital part of the RSL midfield.
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There is little that Will can do, it is just a matter of improving his passes and clogging up the passing lanes of the other team. A chance to play with the Canadian National team against Argentina, should only help Will as he continues to fine tune his game.
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Rauwshan McKenzie
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I
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44 - 0 - 0
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Very limited action for this year's waiver claim by RSL, he has looked solid and can provide us with an option in central defense with both size and quickness. I look forward to seeing more of McKenzie as the summer goes along.
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Like many of the other new faces to the RSL roster Rauwshan needs to continue to adjust to a new team and the "Team is the Star" mentality. He will get more playing time with the CCC and Open Cup matches coming up. I look forward to seeing what he can do to distinguish himself in those matches.
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Javier Morales
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A-
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427 - 3 - 4
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After a decent 2009, I wasn't sure what to expect from Javier, but he set the tone in the very first match when he got 2 goals & 1 assist in the win at San Jose, only an injury has slowed him down. He came back to full fitness recently and has gotten back to match sharpness quickly. RSL is simply a different team with him in the lineup, he takes us from a solid team to one that has to be considered a top team in the league. His passes and creativity help the team force opponents to think before moving forward with numbers. He has set the bar high in the first few weeks of 2010 but if he can continue, he will be a legit MVP contender.
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The only thing that Javi can do to improve his grade is to stay healthy and there is only so much a player can do on that front. Keep up the great work Javi.
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Jamison Olave
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B
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703 - 2 - 0
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From 2009 wildcard to 2010 defensive force of nature. When Olave plays and keeps his emotions in check he is simply one of the best central defenders in all of MLS. A couple early calls have gone against him, not because he made bad plays but rather that his positioning made him do things that other players can't do and MLS officials think fouls have been committed. His 3 yellow cards have him 2 away from a suspension, but he has done well in recent weeks to keep himself out of trouble.
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Continue to be dangerous on set pieces, play within yourself, and do whatever it takes to stay healthy. Those are the only things I can ask Jamison to do, as he has been very solid all year long.
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Robbie Russell
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B-
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347 - 0 -1
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The fact that Robbie can play so many positions well makes him a real value to have on the roster. It is hard moving from side to side to fill in but Robbie does it. I like how he moves forward to create and support the offensive attack, he is a good crosser of the ball. I do think he needs to find a way to be more of a factor on set pieces and he needs to keep his feet under him. A couple times he has lost his footing and opened the door for opponents to create scoring chances.
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Sometimes Robbie's speed hurts himself as he is able to get back into position but on slick surfaces it seems that he has had trouble with his footing. When our defense is doing so well, small mistakes are often the only thing opponents can take advantage of. We must not give them more chances than is absolutely necessary.
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Alvaro Saborio
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A
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520 - 4 - 2
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You simply never know what RSL will get when they bring in a striker. We have seen big names fail, and now a name that left many scratching their heads in the preseason has them chanting his name. Saborio is a force on set pieces with his ability in the air, he is masterful bringing balls down and into control and he knows when to take the shot. His vision and attacking style gives RSL a real shot in the arm on offense. His pressure on keepers is world class and if you make a mistake he will make you pay.
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More, more, and even more. I do think as teams adjust to him that he will find himself needing to pass the ball more in order to keep defenders from simply collapsing around him. I look forward to watching the progress he makes each week as he learns to play with our guys and as our guys learn to play with him. He could be a legit Golden Boot threat in MLS this year.
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Chris Schuler
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I
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0 - 0 - 0
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I keep waiting to see "mini-Olave" get some minutes with the first team. He has looked solid in training and when he gets minutes in Open Cup and friendlies.
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Rookies have to stay focused, as they try to learn and adjust to MLS and each teams style. Chris seems to be doing well with each of these and I look forward to seeing him get more playing time in the future.
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Collen Warner
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B
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187 - 0 - 0
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RSL went out on a limb in working to keep Collen from going overseas to look for a team, and it looks like the risk is going to pay off well. Early season injuries have allowed the rookie to get some quality minutes with the first team, and he hasn't disappointed. He has the ability to play both outside and in the creative role in the midfield, which will give him added value for RSL as the season goes along. I have heard many say that he has all the tools it takes to make it in MLS and to be a very good player at this level.
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It is easy for a young guy who gets minutes with the first team to get frustrated when he has to sit on the bench. I hope that Collen knows that more playing time will come but with so many quality midfielders minutes are going to be limited. He has to continue to take advantage of the minutes he gets and more will be the reward.
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Andy Williams
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B+
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517 - 1 - 1
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With Andy, I continue to be amazed, he simply is beyond belief. After a year of huge ups and downs in 2009, I honestly thought Andy might just hang the cleats up in 2010. Thankfully I was wrong, no instead he stepped in when he had the chance and hasn't looked back. He is as always high energy and creative on the pitch, his fitness is impressive and he has been able to make a real difference for the team on a regular basis this year. His defensive efforts have been much improved and really make him a very complete player for RSL.
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I would like to see Andy actually take more shots, he has an ability to cause keepers to be unable to handle the ball cleanly and with our guys crashing the box better and more than ever before, that could lead to real opportunities to score. I do think there is some work to be done on making his set piece efforts more consistent, but other than that it is one of those, "keep on, keeping on" cases
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Chris Wingert
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B-
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470 - 0 - 0
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I did make the bold prediction that this would be the year that Wingert would get his first MLS goal. However after seeing his last couple shots, I am now wishing he would just stop. OK, not really but I think he needs to spend some time working with Andy on his long range efforts. Chris is a solid back who knows how to push up into the midfield in support of the attack. He has done well of not pushing too far forward that he gets caught out of position on defense. A healthy Chris gives RSL a bunch of options on defense.
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I think Chris needs to be a bit more confident on the ball, he is great at keeping possession. I know that it seems at times that moving the ball quickly is best, and it is but there are times that holding it for the right chance is the better decision. The depth on our backline will really be important as the season goes along and Chris is a major part of it. He must learn only to take quality shots, no more playing "Medhi" with the high and wide shots.
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Keepers
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Min - GAA - SO
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Reason for Grade
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To Improve
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Kyle Reynish
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I
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0 - 0 - 0
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Kyle is sitting in the wings, waiting and watching. He knows his chances will come with the US Open Cup and even with the CCC. If you haven't seen him play, he is solid, in fact he was great in the friendly against the Mexican U21 team
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He must continue to learn how the other teams play, he must work to develop the same level of trust and communication that Nick has with the guys on the back line. Staying sharp at all times, because you never know when you will be needed.
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Nick Rimando
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B+
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720 - 1.13 - 2
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While he may still be mad at me, there is no doubt that Nick is still one of the best keepers in all of MLS. 4 of the 9 balls to get by him this year have been from the PK spot. A few others have been the results of defensive mistakes, not many people have actually beat Nick in goal. For Nick fitness is the key to a great year if he can continue to play every minute with the first team in MLS action, he will always give RSL a shot at getting a win in every match. He simply is a difference maker for the team.
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The only thing I can ask of Nick, is to continue to work hard with the young players. You have a great wealth of knowledge about the league and the players in it. There have been a few times this year where it looks like the communications between you and the backline have broken down and resulted in chances for the other team, work on eliminating those chances.
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