It started with Marcelo Silva blocking a shot at the edge of the 18. Once the ball found the feet of Anderson Julio, it was off to the races for Real Salt Lake.
In a matter of seconds, the ball was in the back of the net with Julio celebrating his first goal in an RSL uniform in his MLS debut.
That speed was exactly what RSL saw in Julio that attracted them to the Ecuadorian winger two years ago. Now, after a difficult stint in Mexico, he quickly found his footing with Real Salt Lake after scoring two goals in his club debut – the first player to do so in their RSL debut since Robbie Findley in 2007.
In the opening days of training camp, it didn’t look like it would be quite so simple.
“Anderson’s strength is a big field and when he first got here, we were playing a lot of small-sided stuff and tactical stuff,” RSL Head Coach Freddy Juarez said, noting that Julio didn’t have a chance to express himself in the early training sessions. “When we started playing 11-a-side and doing some exercises where we wanted to be more vertical we started seeing him, but he wasn’t really getting on the ball.”
One burst of speed in a preseason scrimmage against Sacramento Republic FC changed everything. After seeing a new gear from the 24-year-old, Juarez and his coaching staff nearly leapt out of their chairs. As preseason progressed and those explosive steps past would-be defenders became more prevalent, Juarez has grown more and more fond of one of RSL’s newest additions.
While Juarez was awaiting the opportunity for Julio to show his speed, Julio was simply adapting to his new teammates and learning how he could contribute.
“When I first arrived it was difficult to get used to the style of play but with passing time with my teammates in practices and the scrimmages we had, I started feeling better and coaches were happy with my positioning,” Julio said through a translator. “I’m extremely happy with my debut and I’m proud of myself for that. Hopefully we can continue to build on that and become a stronger team and be competitive in the league and be a pain for the opposing teams we are going to face.”
Although the breakaway speed that helped him score 27 goals with 26 assists in 134 matches across all competitions for LDU Quito in his native Ecuador was the selling point for RSL, Juarez has learned that there is so much more to his game than just running behind defenses and breaking ankles with his 1v1 attacking.
He has also proven to be a workhorse on the defensive side who has an innate ability to learn new concepts from the coaching staff and adapt to his teammates.
“What I like about Anderson is that if you tell him something he picks it up like that. There is a very good intellect and tactical awareness. He’s a sponge and I like that,” Juarez said. “We brought him in for his athletic ability. We wanted to be more vertical. I’m now more excited that he’s a player who picks up information and he’s a free spirit. I love that.”
As an example, in a preseason match against the Colorado Rapids, Julio was zipping around the field to defend, creating havoc for the Colorado defenders attempting to play the ball out of the back. While his frantic approach caused some hurried passes and turnovers from the Rapids, it also brought players out of position defensively and left RSL with limited options once the ball did turnover.
By reining him in a little bit, it helped RSL become more dangerous in the press.
“We want that same energy, but we want it used in smarter ways,” Juarez said. “It helps conserve energy and there are going to be moments when we need it and we know he can give it. He has it in him.”
Jaurez is always careful not to heap too much praise too early with a player. We are just one match into a 34-game season, after all. However, he does think that as the season progresses, so will Julio’s relationship with his teammates. As that on-field connection becomes second nature, Real Salt Lake’s attack will take on all new dynamics and create excitement at Rio Tinto Stadium that will last through the year.
“Creating an understanding with his teammates, he’s only going to get better,” Juarez said.
RSL hosts Sporting Kansas City in the 2021 home opener on Saturday at noon at Rio Tinto Stadium.
