RSL opens preseason camp dissatisfied at 2015, hungry for more in 2016


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SANDY — Real Salt Lake's offseason this past year started at the earliest date since 2007, the last time the club failed to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs.

But the preseason came quickly again, with the arrival of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Liga MX side Tigres UANL.

And that's where the Salt Lake side is trying to put its focus as it opened preseason training camp Sunday in Oceanside, California.

"I'm not going to be dwelling on last year in a lot of these talks. I think everyone understands that it wasn't good enough, starting with me," RSL coach Jeff Cassar said. "We're going to put it behind us and concentrate on our team this year."

Starting before all but three other MLS clubs helps to move forward, too. RSL opens the CCL quarterfinals Feb. 24 in Monterrey, Mexico.

At the time, it felt like a consolation prize to missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. Now, it feels like an opportunity, RSL general manager Craig Waibel said.

"It was a great accomplishment, but it was overshadowed by underachieving in the regular season," Waibel said. "Now it's excitement. We're one of four teams that gets to play before everyone else. I think we've given our locker room a good chance to succeed, and the optimism is there."

Part of the excitement involves the return of striker Yura Movsisyan, who scored 15 goals in 53 matches across three seasons before making his way to Denmark and Russia, most recently with Spartak Moscow.

Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen, newly signed player Yura Movsisyan and coach Jeff Cassar, left to right, at a press conference, Jan. 19, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (Photo: Tom Smart, Deseret News)
Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen, newly signed player Yura Movsisyan and coach Jeff Cassar, left to right, at a press conference, Jan. 19, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (Photo: Tom Smart, Deseret News)

Returning to Rio Tinto Stadium and connecting with old pals like Kyle Beckerman and Tony Beltran made the newly signed designated player on loan with an option feel right at home.

"Today I saw Kyle and Tony, and it was amazing. I've missed those guys," Movsisyan told reporters at RSL media day Saturday. "I had the most success with them, and it's amazing to be back and playing with them again. I think I missed just having good people around you; that's the fun part."

Movsisyan didn't just click with the old core, though. He immediately got to know fellow forwards Juan Manuel "Burrito" Martinez and Joao Plata, among others.

"I met almost all of the guys today. They're all good, funny guys," Movsisyan said. "It looks and feels like a good locker room, which is very important. If we want to do something, we need a good locker room. We need a friendly locker room. But from what I've seen, it's been great."

Movsisyan made quite the impression on the players who have come to RSL — and found a niche, like Plata — since the club's 2009 MLS Cup title.

"I spoke with him this morning, and yesterday, and I think he's a very good guy," Plata said. "I hope we can stand together."

Plata tallied just four goals and four assists in 19 appearances in 2015, a season that saw too many injuries for the Ecuadorian international's liking. But like his coach, he's ready to put those injury-prone days behind him, as well.

"I'm very hungry. We've been busy working in our free time, and now I'm here," Plata said. "We need to prepare for Tigres and CONCACAF, and just start getting ready.

"2015 was too many injuries for me. But now it's a new year, and I'm feeling strong right now."

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Sean Walker

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