By Sean Walker

Friday night's 2-0 win saw RSL give significant playing time to its newest acquisitions, two players who have contributed heavily outside of the United States.

Robbie Russell, the Danish league transfer who has taken an affinity to the RSL back line, came in for the entire second half after defender Ian Joy seemed to re-aggravate a groin injury. Midfielder Will Johnson, who signed with RSL from the Chicago Fire only a few short weeks ago, captured his first start.

"It was good. The most important thing was that the team got three points [with the win]," Johnson said of his first start in Utah. "That was the goal, and we worked well as a team. RSL has some good, smart soccer players and I know that if I could just keep it simple and hold the ball well, then we could do well."

The new sparks should help Real move its home dominance to the road, something they haven't been able to do all year. What's more, with the new soccer-specific stadium in Sandy nearing completion, RSL will be forced to leave the confines of Rice-Eccles in time for an Oct. 9 match against the New York Red Bulls.

But goalkeeper Nick Rimando isn't worried.

"Home games are home games," Rimando said. "We have fans that are great and have been great all year. When we're home, it feels like a complete mentality change. If we can get that mentality and get it on the road, I think we'll have the results."

RSL is currently 1-9 on the road, with one tie, which leads some to believe the switch to a new stadium may not be what the doctor ordered to get this team into the postseason. But some of the younger, new players like Johnson don't even seem to mind the grass painted with University of Utah and Mountain West Conference logos.

"I'm a young guy, so I don't mind the turf as much as the other guys," Johnson said. "But I can't wait to get on grass, that's for sure."

The new stadium shouldn't have too much of an affect on the fans, which is the most important part of home field advantage, according to Johnson.

"I thought the fans were very good here [at Rice Eccles], especially in the second half," Johnson said. "But when you put all the fans in that new stadium, it's going to be something pretty special."

Whatever challenges face the new players on the field, clicking with teammates off the field won't be a problem for either of them.

"A lot of the players here communicate well, and there aren't as many cliques, compared to other teams," Russell said. "They really make you feel welcome."

Copyright Brigham Young University 2 Sep 2008