However, RSL, which began last season with a dozen new faces, could not overcome its poor start, and wound up on the outside only wishing it could compete in Major League Soccer's playoffs. Rebuilding was expected following RSL's 5-22-5 rookie season, but the lack of familiarity last summer bred an 0-5-1 start before the team began forging a cohesive unit.

For 2007, RSL plays five of its first six matches at home with a core group and only a few new players in camp to fill key roles. The transition for the new faces, including Freddy Adu and goalkeeper Nick Rimando, has been smooth - mostly.

Panamanian Luis Tejada, signed to give coach John Ellinger another potential top striker to assist 16-goal scorer Jeff Cunningham and forward Atiba Harris, has had visa troubles and missed most of the preseason. Tejada, who played briefly with RSL in Spain during the offseason, is expected to be with the team throughout the upcoming MLS season.

But questions lingered about his fitness.

"Right now, Luis has an uphill climb," Ellinger said. "When he's 100 percent fit and his mobility is where it should be, he should do very well. How long it takes to get there, we'll find out."

Real defender Danny Torres believes Tejada can be a positive addition, a strong target in front of goal.

"He just needs that adjustment period," he said. "This league is very different than a Panamanian or any Central American league. He has to realize that, step up and work harder. He'll eventually catch up."

Then, again, you don't miss what you don't have.

"It's my 10th year in the league, and I don't count on somebody until I see them," said midfielder Chris Klein, one of 2006's new faces. "I count on Jeff because he scored 16 goals last year. I count on Jason [Kreis] because nobody in the league has more goals than him. I know Freddy and count on him to take the next step in his game. If [Tejada] winds up working out, great. If things stay where they are, we don't miss much because we never had it."

RSL's most marketable addition has been the 17-year-old Adu, who is expected to fill a midfielder role. Adu played three seasons for D.C. United, scoring 11 goals and adding 17 assists in 87 career appearances. He twice was named an MLS All-Star.

His 17 assists place him tied for eighth all-time in United history.

The atmosphere in camp leading up to the April 7 opener against FC Dallas has been positive.

"I thought we had what it took to go to the playoffs," Klein said. "Unfortunately, we fell short. I know a big reason for that was the start we had. We can't throw games away and expect to make it up at the end of the season.

"It makes a big difference, especially how we finished last year, to bring that core group back. I know we're a better team than we were last year."

Already making an impact is Rimando, originally traded to RSL by D.C. United in the transaction that brought Adu to Real Salt Lake. However, salary cap limitations forced RSL to trade Rimando to the New York Red Bulls. He was quickly brought back when Scott Garlick abruptly retired.

Rimando, 27, played two matches last season because of injury at the start of 2006. He is United's all-time leader in wins (41), shutouts (29) and saves (355) and was in goal during the team's 2004 MLS Cup victory. Chris Seitz, a highly regarded 19-year-old acquired during the 2007 SuperDraft out of Maryland, gives RSL depth at goalkeeper.

"I'm young and I know I can still play in this league," Rimando said. "This is a big year for me and for this team. We have to make the playoffs this year."

Rimando's transition might be the easiest of the new players. He already has competed with several players at the club and international level, including defender Eddie Pope.

"He's fit right in and has been comfortable with us," Pope said. "I've been able to see him mature, and vocally he's gotten a lot better. We're more talented. Talent cures all."

martyr@sltrib.com