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When your team is good and sets a few records, wins a few games, players get a few awards, people notice. The person who noticed this time was the head coach of the US Men's National Soccer team who decided to pick two Real Salt Lake players for his 18 man roster to play South Africa on November 17th.
Nat Borchers and Robbie Findley both got the call up to represent, how much they contribute is yet to be determined. Findley may not be a big surprise since he was on the World Cup team and even though his performance was not what most wanted out of him, it was enough for Bob Bradley to consider him for this round of friendlies.
I think Bradley sees the same thing that RSL's head coach Jasen Kreis sees in the 25 year old. A lot of upside but hasn't reached the top of his potential yet, by giving him more chances he might find out what he can do.
On my personal view with Robbie I do believe he is best used by coming in later in the game, after halftime, 60th or 70th minute. His pacing takes advantage of tired players and if you watch the US win against Turkey before the world cup, that was exactly his contribution to the 2-1 win.
As for Borchers, this is not his first time on the national team but it's been since 2005. Nat had a outstanding season here in Salt Lake and could be getting a look to see if he's a good replacement for Oguchi Onyewu who has yet to get back on track after a major knee injury last year that he suffered at Rio Tinto. Borchers is 29 and if he makes an impression and gets in the good graces of Bob Bradley he would be 33 when the next World Cup comes around in Brazil which isn't that bad for a defender as long as your health keeps up. It's great recognition for a player that seems to get overlooked often.
There are a few young players on the National team this go around that could give us a look at what the US Youth programs are spiting out as of late. Also RSL's Youth Academy in Arizona has a player that received an invite from the US under 20 team, Eduardo Fernandez, who is a goalie.
A few other topics to tie up. The Date's and times are set for the CONCACAF Quarterfinals that Real Salt Lake and the Columbus Crew will compete in. February 22nd will be the opening matches for the Champions League Tournament and it will for the first time feature an MLS team in the Semifinals.
As expected at least by me, Jason Kreis did not win the Coach of the Year award. Instead the award went to Schellas Hyndman of FC Dallas who had a great season as well. But after New York lost and then Dallas dropped RSL out of the playoffs it was only obvious to award Hyndman, because he was the only one of the finalist to advance in the post-season. Each coach should of won the award this year, all three did a fantastic job of coaching and managing turn around seasons. Of course in the Salt Lake market we are used to our professional coaches getting turned down for Coach of the Year awards.
