NYCFC's RSL connections prominent in expansion team's roster, staff

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Original publish date: May 19, 2015

NYCFC's RSL connections prominent in expansion team's roster, staff

May 19, 2015

As we gear up for one of the more hotly anticipated matches in Real Salt Lake history, a regular season match against an RSL-connection-packed New York City FC, it's easy to get mired in the emotion of the moment.

After all, what better to get heated about than a match against a team led by your former coach and stocked by your former players?

But if you're new to this, you might be wondering what those connections are — and if you're not new, you might have forgotten just how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Jason Kreis: Former Real Salt Lake coach (2007-2013) and player (2005-2007); trophy-winner, CCL-finalist.

Players (6/27 active players on NYCFC roster)

Chris Wingert: From 2007 to 2014, he made 204 appearances for RSL. With NYCFC: 11 starts.

Ned Grabavoy: With RSL from 2009 to 2014, he made 159 appearances for the club. With NYCFC: 10 starts.

Sebastian Velasquez: With RSL from 2012 to 2014, he made 28 appearances with 1,517 minutes. With NYCFC: 6 appearances, 3 starts

Kwame Watson-Siriboe: With RSL from mid-2012 to mid-2014, Watson-Siriboe made 19 appearances. With NYCFC: 7 appearances, 4 starts.

Josh Saunders: Former LA Galaxy goalkeeper that played with RSL in 2013. He made 3 appearances then tore his ACL, missing the rest of the season. With NYCFC: 10 appearances/starts.

Mehdi Ballouchy: Started his career with RSL in 2006 in the pre-Kreis-coach era.

Coaching staff

Miles Joseph, coach: On Kreis's coaching staff from 2010 to 2013.

CJ Brown, coach: Kreis's defense coach from 2010-2013.

Kevin Christen, athletic trainer: Head athletic trainer, at RSL from 2010 to 2014.

Danny Laroche, equipment manager: Former RSL intern and part-time equipment manager