Goal.com USA’s Randy Davis profiles Real Salt Lake’s playmaker, who was one of many snubs for last Thursday night’s MLS All-Star Game.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — He came to the team as one of “the three Argentines.” But in the nearly 12 months since joining Real Salt Lake, Javier Morales has clearly distinguished himself from his fellow countrymen.
That’s not to say that Fabian Espindola and Matias Mantilla aren’t quality players, but Morales has already demonstrated that he is one of the top playmakers in Major League Soccer. In fact, the attacking midfielder was the main name bandied about when All-Star snubs were discussed the past few weeks.
All of that is lost on this unassuming player from the Buenos Aires area. When asked how he felt to be mentioned in the same breath as fellow countrymen and creative playmaking midfielders — Marcello Gallardo and Guillermo Barros Schelotto – Morales shrugged this off.
“I believe that those players are at a different level just because obviously they have had experience with the National Team and just their whole history as soccer players,” he said through translator (and teammate) Tino Nunez. “But I am thankful for the recognition and to be mentioned with them, but I just work hard.”
Morales’ path to Real Salt Lake has included some good experience with some noteworthy teams, as he has played for Lanus, Newell’s Old Boys, Arsenal de Sarandi and Instituto de Cordoba in the Primera Division in Argentina over a period of nine seasons where he notched just four goals in 121 appearances. Yet in 2006 he was spotted by a representative of UD Vecindario of Spain’s Second Division.
“They saw me playing in one of the games in Argentina and liked me,” said Morales. That’s how they picked me up.”
Although he only played 25 games in Spain, he performed well, scoring five goals in his midfield role. However, last summer an agent put him in contact with Real Salt Lake, who were shopping for a creative player. Fortunately for Jason Kreis’ side, he was exactly what they were looking for.
Morales made an immediate impact with RSL, assisting on a Mantilla goal off his corner kick just 40 seconds into his debut. That 3-1 victory over Kansas City was one of a few highlights for the club last season. Another Morales highlight came from a free kick from 25 feet out against the Galaxy that found the upper right corner of the net. His season ended abruptly, though, as he had a serious shoulder injury that required surgery to repair a torn labrum in the offseason.
It’s no coincidence that Real Salt Lake has found itself atop the Western Division at the same time that Morales’ play has started to earn him some national recognition. He is the motor behind the team, and when he is able to play with the ball at his feet the team tends to create chances offensively. He has three goals this season to go along with his seven assists (tied for 2nd in the league).
While RSL’s defense has been stellar (Real has given up just 19 goals, second only to Chicago), the team has also put up a league-high 247 shots, partly due to the chances Morales is creating the strikers. However, the team also has the second lowest finishing percentage in the league.
Real Salt Lake started the season with two basic tenants as explained by head coach Jason Kreis:
1. “The team is the star.” In other words, no individual player is above any other player.
2. “We are not setting a goal of making the playoffs.” Kreis didn’t want to put that pressure on his younger players early in the season.
However, now that the team is at the top of the West, that’s all changed.
“It’s good,” said Morales, who has three goals to go with his team-leading seven assists (tied for second in MLS). “Every time we’re playing better. It’s better soccer. We’re putting in the work and maintaining the first place spot, but our goal is to make the playoffs.”
For that to happen, the star of Javier Morales will have to continue to shine.
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