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Sandy • Both confident and candid, Yura Movsisyan gripped the microphone during his unveiling as Real Salt Lake's biggest offseason acquisition. The 28-year-old striker took it upon himself to explain to that during his past six seasons overseas, he honed a skill that was in need of much improvement during his initial stint with RSL.
All he needs now, Movsisyan said, is one chance. Before that, he said, he needed five, six or even seven scoring opportunities to put one away and get his team on the board.
"Give me one chance," he said in January. "I will score."
That one chance revealed itself early in Movsisyan's first match back with RSL on a stage against one of the region's top teams. Joao Plata put just enough on a perfectly-timed pass to match a perfectly-timed run by Movsisyan. In zipping by Tigres defender Israel Jiménez, he put quickly himself in a position RSL and its fan base imagined when Movsisyan was brought back on a full-year loan from Russia's Spartak Moscow.
He put his left boot on the ball, but instead of it curling around Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán and into goal, it sailed. Movsisyan sliced the shot high and wide. He put both hands on the back of his head in shock, immediately recognizing what an early road goal against the defending Liga MX champions could've done for RSL's CONCACAF Champions League hopes.
"If I start remembering every chance I've missed, it's going to be a long day for me," Movsisyan said this week. "I put a lot more pressure on me than anybody else could put on me. I know I have to score, and I know I have to get the balls in the back of the net. I'll be doing that."
Faced with a 2-0 deficit against Tigres entering Leg 2 of its Champions League quarterfinal series Wednesday, RSL needs at least a 2-0 home victory in regulation time at Rio Tinto Stadium just to have a shot at extra time.
In an elimination game on home turf, in a tournament this franchise takes tremendous pride being showcased in, it's evident Movsisyan is the type of striker — and personality — RSL needs to have a shot at the upset. That's what those who know and count on him believe.
"The good thing about Yura is he loves pressure," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said. "He actually enjoys the conversation."
Waibel expects a double-digit goal-scoring output from Movsisyan this season, but reminded that his forward — like all MLS players in this Champions League stage — hasn't reached his peak form. Before his deal to return to RSL was finalized, an injury kept Movsisyan from regular minutes at Spartak.
Longtime friend Tony Beltran took notice of such circumstances in the first leg. But Beltran realizes that if Movsisyan could find the back of the net Wednesday or consistently threaten to create scoring opportunities for others, that impact could be immeasurable, both in Champions League and ahead of the MLS season-opener at Orlando City on March 6.
"I have no shortage of confidence in Yura," Beltran said.
The intangibles Movsisyan possess are elements that could soon lead this RSL forward corps. Not one to shy away from being vocal and instructive on the field, he's also viewed as the long-term solution as the swift, physical center forward the club has aimed to find in recent years.
And he's embracing that responsibility. He's also doing so as a locker room voice.
Following Monday's training session, Movsisyan said he felt RSL gave Tigres "too much respect" heading into the first leg in Monterrey, Mexico.
"At the end of the day, it's soccer and it's 11 against 11 and I think we could've come out with a better result if we were sharp enough, but I think [the lack of] sharpness comes from not having enough games or time to prepare," he said. "At the end of the day, those are not even excuses. … We should've put our chances away."
If the first meeting serves as an indication, RSL will put Tigres on its heels and test the 2-0 series scoreline. Whether or not RSL capitalizes is another story, one that Movsisyan could eventually rewrites himself should he manage to deliver on the goals he's guaranteed since his return to Utah.
"These are the games you need your important guys to step up," Waibel said. "Your key players have to win you these games."
Tigres at RSL
P Leg 2, at
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
Kickoff • Wednesday, 8 p.m.
TV • FOX Sports 2
Radio • 700 AM
Last meeting • Tigres, 2-0 (Feb. 24) —
Yura Movsisyan at a glance
Position • Center forward
Age • 28
Hometown • Pasadena, Calif.
Birthplace • Baku, Azerbaijan
School • Pasadena City College, drafted fourth overall by Kansas City in 2007 MLS SuperDraft
Re-acquired • RSL completed one-year loan for Movsisyan's return in 2016
Professional track record • Kansas City Wizard (2006-2007), Real Salt Lake (2007-2009), Randers FC (2010-2011), FC Krasnodar (2011-2012), Spartak Moscow (2012-2016), Real Salt Lake (on loan in 2016)
Career • Scored 25 goals in 62 matches in four seasons at Spartak Moscow after scoring 23 goals in 50 goals at FC Krasnador. Had 20 goals in MLS between Kansas City and RSL in his four season in MLS before moving to Europe. In three seasons at RSL, Movsisyan had 15 goals in 53 regular-season appearances. During the 2012 UEFA Euro qualifying tournament, Movsisyan scored four goals and had five assists for the Armenian national team.