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Player Ratings: Real Salt Lake 0 - 0 Seattle Sounders

Player ratings from RSL's 0-0 draw against Seattle Sounders: A look at who impressed, who flubbed their chance, and how Kyle Beckerman controlled the midfield.

Otto Greule Jr

GK & Defense

Nick Rimando - 8 Rimando didn't have to make too many spectacular saves, but almost let a ball slip through his legs on a free kick (according to Keller anyways.)

Nat Borchers - 9 Made some great recovery saves, might have been caught out of position a bit once or twice, but you could argue that Borlave flustered the typically dangerous Fredy Montero.

Jamison Olave - 7.5 I docked a couple points simply because it seems as though Olave is too risky with his fragile hamstrings. He had a good half, but I can't give a 9 (like Borchers) when he got injured. Maybe he should never have played on turf, but I imagine he has some say in that. Still love Olave though. Any way you look at it, the persistent injuries are becoming an issue.

Tony Beltran - 8.5 I loved that he didn't back down from the tactically dirty Tiffert. Anyone watching the game closely could see a feistiness in Beltran that I was not aware of. Kudos to him. Oh, and he had a solid performance.

Chris Wingert - 8 Not a standout performance, but no real complaints either.

Midfield

Kyle Beckerman - 9.5 He mis-hit one perfect set up in the first half, but other than that can you really argue with a MLS record-breaking game for most completed passes? That performance was the highlight of the entire game that in my mind solidified Beckerman as the best defensive midfielder in MLS. Sorry, Ozzy.

Javier Morales - 8.5 Javi seemed pretty agressive and had a great shot that was unfortunately saved. I have been saying for a while now that I think we are seeing the Javi of old resurrected.

Luis Gil - 7.5 Gil did not assert himself as much as I would have liked to see, but he did well. The potential is obvious.

Jonny Steele - 5 Not his best game. Although the stats do not completely verify his poor showing, it seemed like the timeliness of his passes was off and the broke up some good momentum in the final third of the field. I still see him as a good backup for Johnson.

Forwards

Fabian Espindola - 6.5 In fairness to Bonfigli, I do not recall any great chances for Espindola either. He fought hard though, as always. It seems as though Espindola thrives most when playing alongside Saborio.

Emiliano Bonfigli - 5.5 I cannot recall anything approaching a solid scoring chance for Bonfigli. This begs the question: How much do we value a hat-trick in a reserve game? I wish Paulo was healthy, as I feel he is a better forward.

Substitutes

Chris Schuler - 8 Looked solid, had a great chance that suffered a better save. Also made a timely tackle that might have prevented a goal for Seattle.

David Viana - 8 What a showing for the Frenchman's (or Portuguese?) debut! I liked the offensive punch he immediately provided. I hope to see more of him.

Sebastian Velasquez - 8 Another guy with a great chance at the end that was thwarted by Seattle's keeper. I thought he, like Viana, also brought instant offense. I get more giddy for the future of RSL thinking of Velasquez's potential than any other player. It is probably due to his fancy footwork and positive attitude. Either way, he did well in a short time last night.