Movsisyan: "I'm here to score goals"

Yura Movsisyan's return to Real Salt Lake continued today as he did the media rounds — first in a press conference, then with an interview on ESPN 700, and that'll be followed by an RSL event in downtown Salt Lake.

In an interview on ESPN 700, Movsisyan said that getting back to Real Salt Lake was a priority.

"It's amazing to be back," he said. "For me, it's just unreal. A lot of good stuff happening right now, so I'm just too excited right now. As my agent knows, I was on his case a lot — I wanted to get back, and I told him, you need to make this happen, and finally, a few months ago, I told him that I need to come back or you're going to have a problem with my wife. I think that scared him."

Selected excerpts from his interview follow.

Salt Lake is a destination

For me, RSL is definitely the destination. For me, it doesn't matter if the city has 20 high-rises and ocean. Obviously, Salt Lake has its own beauty, and the people are very nice.

Why he's ready to come back now

For me, as I got older and got to experience a lot of these leagues and big games and playing in World Cup Qualifiers — scoring goals in big games, playing in different atmospheres, stadiums, pitches, — that's what's made me stronger mentally. There's nothing in MLS that can put me down or make me not want to play.

Being home, coming back home, having my family home — that is the most important thing to me. Home — obviously I was raised in LA, but Salt Lake is my second home in America.

...

We're having our third kid this April, so I think this was the best time for me and my family. We've been out for six years, and it was time. I wanted to come back to MLS and play in my prime. I'm walking into my prime at 28 years old. I still have a lot to do, I still have a lot of games to win and hopefully win a few more championships with RSL.

On RSL's core

Obviously, the core is still the same. You have Nick, Becks, Olave, Javi, Tony — these guys were there when I was here. The core is still the same, it's still the same atmosphere. You have different guys here, but I've never had a problem integrating with teammates and players going to new teams. I'm so excited to be here, that I'll just make it a lot easier for everyone else.

On playing in the 4-3-3

I'm kind of used to the 4-3-3 because I played a lot of that in Russia. Playing that formation is probably the best for me. Formation-wise, it's not going to make a difference for me. It's not going to make a difference — guys that can provide the balls matter more than what formation you stand in. I think personnel matters a lot more. Whatever Jeff wants me to do, I'll be ready to do it and help the team out as much as possible.

Wearing Justen Glad's #14

I think somebody talked to him — because I guess they told him it was my number. I'll take him out to dinner for giving it up that easy. ... That's my number, that's what RSL remembers me with.