Report: Real Salt Lake waives Yura Movsisyan

As what could be labeled “the most expected event to happen during the offseason,” Yura Movsisyan’s time with the Claret and Cobalt has officially come to an end. With the antics of last season mixed with the reports that his house has been up for sale as he’s living in LA, I don’t think a single RSL fan is surprised.

Despite us all knowing that it was coming, it’s been made official by Sam Stejskal this afternoon. The details of what will ultimately happen regarding what RSL pays salary wise is still up in the air. He could be signed by another team via a waiver, but it would have to be done by 5 p.m. Eastern, and that seems incredibly unlikely, considering that the team who picks him up would be required to pay the entire salary for 2019. Regardless of what happens RSL will be on the hook for paying Movsisyan any difference between that budget charge and his actual salary in 2018, according so Stejskal.

From the report:

The move frees up $504,375 of salary budget space and a DP spot for Real Salt Lake. Movsisyan will continue to be paid by the club. By waiving him, RSL assumed full responsibility for his entire salary; the league will no longer pay the first $500,000 of his salary in 2018 or 2019 as they do with DPs on active rosters.

No Hard Feelings, Maybe?

The first time I went to an RSL game Yura Movsisyan was the guy I knew. As a 14 year old in awe, I have fond memories watching him and Espindola pair up together. I was disappointed when he left, and at first excited when he returned, of course only to be disappointed during his tenure. I had changed during his absence with the claret and cobalt. I had started and finished high school, my parents got divorced, my dog died and a thousand other little events in what we call life happened. Yura changed too. Yura changed a lot. I don’t know what happened, or why, but I do know that I matured, and he didn’t.

I don’t have any ill will. He was promised a keystone role at our club when he signed, and Petke didn’t fulfill that. It’s understandable to be upset about that. But when that happens you don’t boo the crowd, you don’t run straight to the lockeroom while the rest of your squad runs laps around the fans at the end of games, you don’t give less than 50% in practice. You don’t do those and a lot of other things that Yura Movsisyan did. I don’t hate Yura, but his actions prove that he does not love this club like I do, and that alone is reason to dislike him.

I wish it was a fairytale ending. I wish he had as much intention to retire with this organization as he did when he originally came back. But some things just aren’t meant to be. Let’s take a look at what was and what could have been. I wish you the best moving forward.