Dema Kovalenko joins RSL

• RSL has added another player today, Dema Kovalenko, formerly of the New York Red Bulls. Dema has a reputation around the league of being one of the more violent players, which we’ve seen plenty of with Atiba Harris. Dema is a midfielder (gasp! another one!?!?) who is actually very versatile and can be played in many positions including D-Mid, Right-Mid and hopefully Left-Mid (that’s our weak spot). He won’t back down from any challenge, which is a trait that RSL has struggled with in recent years. Recently, however, Dema hasn’t been playing up to the level he did a few years ago. He’s still feisty as ever, but his play seems to have gone down. I hope that Coach Kreis can bring back his game, which will make this a great move for RSL. We only sent away a late-round draft pick in next years draft (according to this AYLSoccer article). I’d say our lineup looks a little something like this:
• ————–Rimando————–
• Mantilla-Borchers-Olave-Joy– 
• ————Kovalenko————
• –Cordoba———–Beckerman–
• ————-Morales —————
• —-Movsisyan—Espindola—– 

• That lineup is fantastic from my point of view. The defense is all experienced and skilled players, our midfield can be swayed in either an attacking or defending position, and we don’t have two a-mids by accident (Mr. Adu). Our forward line is still young, but I think that Espindola has got the speed, touch, and skill to work well with Yura’s size and tenacity.  I think if we were to sign one more player before the season starts, it would be an experienced target forward to lead the team offensively.