NYCFC's RSL connections prominent in expansion team's roster, staff

As we gear up for one of the more hotly anticipated matches in Real Salt Lake history, a regular season match against an RSL-connection-packed New York City FC, it's easy to get mired in the emotion of the moment.

After all, what better to get heated about than a match against a team led by your former coach and stocked by your former players?

But if you're new to this, you might be wondering what those connections are — and if you're not new, you might have forgotten just how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Jason Kreis: Former Real Salt Lake coach (2007-2013) and player (2005-2007); trophy-winner, CCL-finalist.

Players (6/27 active players on NYCFC roster)

Chris Wingert: From 2007 to 2014, he made 204 appearances for RSL. With NYCFC: 11 starts.

Ned Grabavoy: With RSL from 2009 to 2014, he made 159 appearances for the club. With NYCFC: 10 starts.

Sebastian Velasquez: With RSL from 2012 to 2014, he made 28 appearances with 1,517 minutes. With NYCFC: 6 appearances, 3 starts

Kwame Watson-Siriboe: With RSL from mid-2012 to mid-2014, Watson-Siriboe made 19 appearances. With NYCFC: 7 appearances, 4 starts.

Josh Saunders: Former LA Galaxy goalkeeper that played with RSL in 2013. He made 3 appearances then tore his ACL, missing the rest of the season. With NYCFC: 10 appearances/starts.

Mehdi Ballouchy: Started his career with RSL in 2006 in the pre-Kreis-coach era.

Coaching staff

Miles Joseph, coach: On Kreis's coaching staff from 2010 to 2013.

CJ Brown, coach: Kreis's defense coach from 2010-2013.

Kevin Christen, athletic trainer: Head athletic trainer, at RSL from 2010 to 2014.

Danny Laroche, equipment manager: Former RSL intern and part-time equipment manager