When the Fire begin the 2008 season at RSL's Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday, they will face a Salt Lake team that has also seen its fair share of turnover this offseason.

Get to know the first opponents of the new year as we take a look at Jason Kreis' new roster and how it could fare this weekend.

Real Salt Lake Profile:

2007 Record: 6-15-9 (27 points)

Players In: Kenny Deuchar (F), Dema Kovalenko (M), Nat Borchers (D), Matias Cordoba (M), Ian Joy (D), Jamilson Olave (D), Tony Beltran (D)

Players Out: Kyle Brown, (F, to HOU) Alecko Eskandarian (F, to TFC), Atiba Harris (F, to CHV)

The addition of Deuchar adds some much needed firepower to a dismal offense that scored only 31 goals in 30 games. The 6-3 forward gives Kries a towering striker to complement Robbie Findlay up top. In the midfield, the addition of Dema Kovalenko should add to Kyle Bekerman's experience alongside Javier Morales and Nate Sturgis. The true veterans, however, are on the backline as new additions Ian Joy and Nat Borchers shore up a defense that should also include newcomers Jamison Olave and Tony Beltran. Nick Rimando returns to goal after racking up 7 clean sheets last season wit ha 1.37 GAA. Overall, RSL appears to have taken steps to addressing its main weaknesses in the attack and defense, but it may not be enough to hold off the Fire.

The improved defensed should prove to be a stern test for the Fire, but there should be cause for concern if an offense comprised of a rested Blanco, Mapp, Rolfe, and Frankowski can't apply the necessary pressure. Meanwhile, Deuchar looks like the kind of big finisher that CJ Brown and Bakary Soumare will need to shut down as the season goes on. Hopefully, the midfield can disrupt any decent service to the new target man.

As for the home field, theres a pretty good chance RSL have sold out their season opener. However, the thought of last season's "Blanco invasion" is still fresh in everyone's minds, and here's hoping that advantage is still travelling with the team.

With the season just beginning and both team's still adjusting to their new rosters, we'd like to think that there won't be many goals to be had on Saturday. Regardless, we have to think the Fire have the talent to grab 3 points on the road.

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3 Comments

Tom March 28, 2008	RSL has really had quite a turnover in the past year, it seems. I think that's good for them, given the state they were in, but it's probably also good for the Fire with regard to the opener, as it should take them a while to bed in. My prediction: 1-0 Fire, Frankowski on a Blanco assist.
Matt Zaucha March 29, 2008	My prediction is a 2-0 win for the Fire.
Ben March 30, 2008	That game was fugly.