Guest Post: RSL midfielders and fouling: they take what they give

This is a guest post by James Edward, Deseret News. I'm pleased to feature some content from James, who does a fine job with his reportage on the club.

Whether it’s been Andy Williams or Javier Morales through the years, Real Salt Lake has always had midfielders that were fouled quite a bit by opposing teams.

What’s interesting though, RSL dishes it out as well. Coach Jason Kreis’ team is sixth in MLS with fouls committed at 13.0 per game. Philadelphia leads the league with 15.0 fouls committed per game.

Don’t think for a second that it’s an accident that Real Salt Lake commits so many fouls. Jason Kreis offered a little insight into that reality with a comment he made after practice on Friday. It’s about protecting their stars.

“Of course I want us to show that we’re not going to be pushed around, cause I do think there is a small tendency for that to happen sometimes, for teams to feel that the way to play against us is very physically. But I feel our boys know how to be physical as well, and sometimes they need to remind people of that,” Kreis said.

Kyle Beckerman is tied for fifth in MLS with 37 fouls committed, just two behind league leaders Aurelien Collin of Kansas City and Michael Farfan of Philadelphia. Fabian Espindola is second on the team with 30 fouls committed, followed by Alvaro Saborio (24), Jamison Olave (20), Javier Morales (20), Jonny Steele (19) and Chris Wingert (18).

Portland commits the fifth fewest fouls in MLS, so don’t expect an overly aggressive opponent on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium.