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RSL: What Jefferson Savarino’s signing means for Real Salt Lake

By Jordan Jacobsen

Apr 8, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake fans show their spirit against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake fans show their spirit against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Real Salt Lake officially announced the signing of young Venezuelan winger, Jefferson Savarino as a young designated player. So what comes next?

Real Salt Lake officially announced the signing of rumored attacker Jefferson Savarino today. The 20-year-old winger comes to RSL on loan from FC Zulia in Venezuela, and is currently listed as a young designated player on the team’s roster. The young-DP label means Savarino is likely going to be brought on long-term if he performs well on this season. So what does that mean for the roster as it stands now as well as moving forward?

May 6, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Sebastian Saucedo (23) battles FC Dallas defender Maynor Figueroa (31) for the ball during the first half at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Sebastian Saucedo (23) battles FC Dallas defender Maynor Figueroa (31) for the ball during the first half at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Wing Depth

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Even with all of the injuries and call-ups this season, wing options are clearly RSL’s deepest position. Brooks Lennon and Sebastian Saucedo have been called in for the U-20 World Cup and will miss a good amount of games this summer. Joao Plata, Jordan Allen, and Ricardo Velazco have all seen time on the wing this season. With Allen’s injury and the World Cup, Savarino should see time almost immediately, but afterwords is where things get murky.

Following the match against FC Dallas, head coach Mike Petke explained how the team doesn’t really have a formation right now, and the 4-2-3-1 wasn’t working. With the rough road ahead, now may be as good of time as any to change the formation.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Plata deployed next to Yura Movsisyan in a two-forward formation. Having Plata up top would allow for a combination of Savarino, Lennon, Saucedo, and Allen to play on the wings. How the rest of the field lines up would be the next question. Jordan Allen’s versatility comes into play again, as the team tries to determine his best position. With so many wingers on the roster, it seems like the team will be looking to move someone, whether that be permanently or positional.

Joao Plata and Brooks Lennon

May 6, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Brooks Lennon (27) reacts during the first half against FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Brooks Lennon (27) reacts during the first half against FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

As previously mentioned, moving Plata up the field would create more room for other wingers. The same could be said for moving Jordan Allen into the middle. There is a possibility, however, that the log-jam on the wings is only temporary.

It was noted last week that Plata was late to practice and missed out on the team photo. He then came off the bench against Sporting Kansas City. This is the first time we’ve ever heard of disciplinary issues coming from Joao, and hopefully these are singular instances. If there is an issue with Joao, the team now has several young players behind him as replacements, should the team decide to move on from him. His five-year extension likely means a change in formation is more likely.

Brooks Lennon is another player who will be impacted by Savarino. Lennon is currently on loan from Liverpool, but has been one of the bright spots on the team thus far. Bringing Lennon back permanently would help RSL moving forward, but that would require paying Liverpool a transfer fee or waiting until he is out of contract with the English side. Liverpool could also try to move him on their own. It doesn’t help that Savarino and Lennon play the same position, and Savarino is costly enough to take up a DP spot.

Moving Forward

We may see Savarino as soon as this weekend against New England. With the lengthy injury report and the absence of the U-20 players it seems likely he would at least have a sub role. Savarino had 22 goals and 12 assists in the 48 games he played in Venezuela, and the struggling RSL attack could certainly use his talents.

Next: Petke's Post Game Comments Speak Volumes

Arguably the biggest question concerning the Savarino signing has to do with an entirely different position. The already thin defense, now without Danny Acosta, will have to rely on the same cast as the club moves through the summer grind. At least until the July transfer window opens up. Hopefully Savarino’s attacking prowess can take some of the pressure off the defense’s struggles.

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