Last week, Real Salt Lake General Manager Craig Waibel gave a wide-ranging interview during an appearance on ESPN 700’s On Frame after returning from an international scouting trip. In addition to talking about RSL’s coaching staff and broke down parts of RSL’s season, he also discussed the purpose and result of the European trip that sets the tone for what is bound to be a busy off-season.
“The intention of the trip was dual-focused on scouting some players in some positions of need and targeting some guys, but also to connect with multiple agents in different markets and get a greater, in-depth understanding of financial situations in other markets,” Waibel said. “I think the misperceptions that come along with the world of soccer almost prevent movement as opposed to encourage it. We’re in a much stronger position than I think a lot of people think, in terms of being in MLS. Where I think we’re weak is that that’s not being communicated consistently throughout the world. The world hears about our five-million dollar players, but they don’t understand that the average wages in MLS are very competitive with many, many other countries.”
On the international market, Waibel has brought in four starters in the last two years – Demar Phillips and Juan Manuel Martinez in 2015 and Yura Movsisyan and Sunny in 2016. Adding a wider range to his rolodex, he hopes, will increase the frequency and quality of those types of impact signings.
“It was very educational for me. It was essential,” Waibel said. “There will be more trips for myself and the rest of my department. It’s really just to build the bridges so we’re not relying on the same four or five agents every time we’re looking for a player.”
As RSL begins its first full week of the offseason this week after being ousted 3-1 in the Knockout Round against the LA Galaxy last Wednesday, Waibel and his staff continue to scour the globe for those types of players. Hired as Technical Director during the off-season prior to the 2015 season, Waibel was promoted to General Manager just a few months later and has sought out to strengthen the quality and depth of RSL’s roster since. This off-season, he seeks to continue that pursuit.
“When I took over last August, we set out on a two-year plan to strengthen position-by-position, prioritizing the attacking half of the field last January and July, picking up Burrito, picking up Yura and continuing the development of our younger players. The idea was to strengthen the front-half of the field primarily to make sure that we could be part of every game,” he said. “I think we’ve had some wonderful development from some young guys that have made me reevaluate that plan and that’s what you hope happens. In the defensive half of the field, we’ve seen some really good play. As we sit down at the end of the year, we’re going to need to make some really tough decisions on some players and the roster.”
To hear Waibel’s full interview, click here.
