At times in 2015, Real Salt Lake’s attack looked dynamic, fluid and dangerous. However, those instances weren’t frequent enough to make a difference in the standings for RSL.
The addition of Yura Movsisyan could change that dramatically.
He not only is viewed as the missing link in that attacking foursome that features Joao Plata and Juan Manuel Martinez flanking Movsisyan on the wings and Javier Morales setting it all up from the midfield. He also does so in a way that completely shifts the defensive approach required to combat RSL’s offense.
“He’s powerful and dynamic. He can score several different ways, with both feet and his head,” RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar said. “What I really like is hearing the coaches talk about when we acquired him is that (defenders) fear him. That’s what I want is forwards that put the fear into defenders.”
Movsisyan has been playing in a 4-3-3 formation during his time with Spartak Moscow and can transition quickly into RSL’s rendition.
It isn’t just his experience in the formation that Cassar thinks will aid in his move back to Utah though.
“He can run the channels. He’s powerful. He’s good in the air. He’s not the typical number nine where you think of somebody posting up. He can do that, but he can do much more as well,” he said. “He has everything that’s going to be successful – he already has been successful in our league and now he’s coming back hungry. He wants to win championships and that’s what we’re all about.”
Movsisyan had one wildly successful stint with RSL, winning MLS Cup in 2009. During that first stretch, he established himself as a dangerous weapon for RSL even at the young age of 22. Cassar said he knew even then that he would continue to develop into the player he has become now. In addition to his abilities on the field, he also had the intangible qualities to make a difference.
“I like his mentality. He’s hard. He’s competitive. He wants to win championships and he’s not happy if you’re not. That’s what you need in the locker room,” Cassar said. “And then on top of that, he wants to score goals. He understands that it’s a team and you have defensive responsibilities. But at the end of the day, he wants to score goals and that’s a good thing.”
To hear Cassar’s full interview, click below.
