This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • Before finalizing the paperwork, Jeff Cassar and Craig Waibel studied tape of the left back they hoped would provide a needed element in the club's swift transition to a new formation. Either with his former club team in Norway or with the Jamaican national team, Demar Phillips' desire to dart up and down the flanks was a quality not lost on RSL's technical staff.
"It fit perfectly in with how we wanted to play," Cassar said. "Somebody who's got a great engine, great service, gets up and down [the field]."
The adjustment period at Real Salt Lake and Major League Soccer, however, took some time for Phillips. While trying to juggle Year 1 at RSL, plus national-team duties with Jamaica, Phillips ran into a bevy of injuries and inconsistent performances in 2015. The left back brought in to stabilize that side of the back line and provide an infusion of offense started only 16 matches. In the offseason, RSL initially declined his player option, but soon re-signed Phillips after he expressed his desire to forget the struggles of last season.
"It's all about getting in my comfort zone," said Phillips, who turns 33 next week.
Ask around. He seems to have found it. The RSL left back is acclimated. Phillips has already started more regular-season matches in 2016 (18) than he did all of his inaugural season at the club. More importantly for RSL, he's played a significant role in turning around a RSL attack that struggled mightily to score consistently a year ago.
From his left back position, Phillips ranks second on the team in assists this year with five. That's more than midfielder Javier Morales (four) as well as strikers Yura Movsisyan and Burrito Martinez, who each have three.
"I'm always about that as a left back," Phillips said. "My strongest point in my game is going forward."
On the opposite side of the back line, right back Tony Beltran said Phillips has established himself not only as a starter, but as a component on RSL that other clubs now need to plan for.
"He's got so many physical attributes, and I think I noticed that right away, but this year he's really just looked so composed and confident," Beltran said.
Quite the shift from not just a season ago, but earlier in the year. The performances in 2015 opened up the left back competition once again when RSL's longtime presence on the left side, Chris Wingert, returned to the club in the preseason after a year with New York City FC. Phillips missed RSL's first match of the year against Tigres UANL in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series due to an illness.
In RSL's regular-season opener at Orlando City, Phillips was sent off in the first half. It looked as if 2015 was repeating itself. However, as the season progressed, so did Phillips. Eventually, he established himself on the left side and the impact offensively has aided RSL's raised goal output in 2016.
"I think his decision-making's gotten better, I think his final product has gotten better," Cassar said. "He's putting himself in a lot more better positions offensively and making better choices defensively. Less red cards, less silly fouls and has really been a consistent left back for us."
Phillips credits his transition to improved connection with his teammates as well as adjustment to styles of play with the attacking threats in front of him. In his comfort zone at RSL, he says, Phillips is determined to make more of an impact going forward.
"I think that's the main reason why I'm doing so well on the team," he said.
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo
P At Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
Kickoff • Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
TV • KMYU Radio • 700 AM
Records • RSL 12-9-8; Houston 5-11-11
Last meeting • Houston 1, RSL 0 (May 15 at BBVA Compass Stadium)
About RSL • Midfielder Javier Morales (quad) remains questionable for the match after leaving last Saturday's loss in Portland with the injury. … Midfielder Sunday Stephen will serve a one-game suspension for stepping on the leg of Portland forward Fanendo Adi last weekend. … Center back Jamison Olave returns from his one-game suspension served against the Timbers. … RSL's Joao Plata, Yura Movsisyan and Burrito Martinez have combined for 25 goals and 17 assists in 2016. … Center back Chris Schuler made his first MLS start in 14 months in the loss last weekend.
About Houston • The Dynamo sit at the bottom of the Western Conference table and are tied for the worst point total in the league at 26. … Houston is 1-9-4 on the road in 2016. … Houston's leading scorer, Andrew Wingert (five goals), is considered doubtful with a calf strain. … Former RSL defender Abdoulie Mansally is likely to miss the match with a quad strain. … The Dynamo recently loaned forward Cubo Torres to Mexican club Cruz Azul for the remainder of the season.