Real Salt Lake: Long-shot Nunez showing he belongs
Of the 48 players taken in the inaugural Supplemental Draft in 2005, Real Salt Lake's first year in the league, only six are still in the league. Eight of the 2006 crop are still around, while 16 players from the 2007 supplemental draft are still on MLS rosters.
For players bypassed in the more prestigious SuperDraft, they have approximately a 50 percent chance of making an MLS roster their first year. Within two years, there's about a 15 percent chance they'll even still be around.
Real Salt Lake forward Tino Nunez is hoping to defy those daunting odds.
Taken with the 17th pick in the Supplemental Draft, after 56 players were already snagged in the SuperDraft, expectations weren't that high for the Southern California native.
To make matters worse, he came into training in February a little out of shape and overweight. The coaching staff never lost faith, though. Several coaches on RSL's technical staff had seen Nunez play during his college days at UC Santa Barbara, and they all raved about his abilities. Despite being only 5-foot-8, he was still a strong target forward who played much bigger than his frame would seemingly allow.
"I think he's done really, really well so far. His development's been fantastic," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "His soccer game improves every time he comes out, and now he's good enough to be in consideration to start for this team."
He hasn't been rewarded with that elusive first start yet, but he's appeared as a substitute in seven straight matches and scored the game-winning goal against New England on June 21. He's also coming off a two-goal performance in last weekend's reserve game.
Like most young players, Nunez's first opportunity was made possible by injuries. Almost simultaneously this season, RSL forwards Yura Movsisyan and Fabian Espindola went down with injuries, bumping Nunez up the forward depth chart behind Robbie Findley and Kenny Deuchar.
Kreis chuckles when recounting how scared Nunez looked when he was inserted into his first match on May 31 against San Jose. In the month since, the fear has gradually subsided with each opportunity he's been given.
"I'm getting good support from the older guys, and they give me that confidence to be able to play with them," Nunez said. "Right now things are going well for me, and I'm confident. I'm able to play more relaxed."
Recent comments
I'd like to pair him with Findley, and bring on Deuchar when...
I'd like... | July 9, 2008 at 9:33 a.m.
1st choice...Espindola
2nd choice...The Dr.
3rd Choice......
I would rank him like this... | July 9, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.
