RSL midfielder David Viana waived, opening roster spot with window open

RSL attacking midfielder David Viana has been waived by Real Salt Lake, club communications confirmed this morning.

Viana, who got his start at RC Strasbourg and played with Atletico Madrid C before joining Real Salt Lake, made two appearances after signing late last season but none in 2013.

Viana was waived prior to the July 1 deadline, meaning budget space from his contract is opened up, but the player has remained with the club on a temporary basis to maintain fitness.

The player never much found a home in Jason Kreis's system, despite showing good on-the-ball skills and a good attacking sense. However, he lacked the defensive awareness to fit into an outside-of-the-diamond slot, and perhaps didn't have the vision to spell Javier Morales at the top of the diamond in a position already stacked with players.

He was later deployed as a forward in reserves outings, but he seemed a player lost to the system. In the modern game in which few — if any — players are given free reign to step outside of defensive responsibilities, keeping a player like Viana on the books despite his budding talent becomes difficult.

Where Viana ends up next will be particularly interesting to watch, but the onus is certainly on him to develop some important tendencies and skills.

With the transfer window having opened on Monday, Real Salt Lake has an open roster slot that could soon be taken. The international transfer window remains open until August 8.