In many ways, Javier Morales has developed into a key ingredient in the formula for success Real Salt Lake have worked hard to create this season. So it comes as no surprise that RSL has done everything it can to assure that Morales will remain in Utah for next several years.
RSL officials announced on Tuesday afternoon that they had come to terms with Morales on a contract extension that will keep him with the club through the end of the 2012 MLS season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed by RSL.
Since joining Real in 2007, the 28-year-old Argentinean midfielder has scored five goals and handed out 12 assists in 31 games.
"It's definitely a good sign when the staff signs on a good player like that," fellow midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. "We can really believe we're building something here."
In 2008, Morales has enjoyed perhaps the best season of any midfielder to don an RSL uniform.
He has racked up 10 assists so far, tying him for the second place among MLS assist leaders. His ability to score has shown through at times as well, with Morales tallying four goals -- putting him only one behind team leaders Robbie Findley and Fabian Espindola.
Morales' assist tally this season also puts him within one of tying Jeff Cunningham's single-season club record of 11, set in 2006. With 12 career assists for Salt Lake, he is also threatening the career club mark of 14 assists held by current teammate Andy Williams.
Locking up Morales for the immediate future became a front office priority after seeing his emergence in the midfield this season. Morales has been vital to the club's success thus far and Real were determined to include him in their future plans.
"It was a concerning factor for us going into next year that we could possibly lose him," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "To have that deal all signed, sealed and delivered is a very good thing for Real Salt Lake."
As part of the new deal with Morales, team officials announced they have purchased his contract rights from UD Vesindario, a team in the Spanish second division. Morales originally joined RSL on loan from Vesindario last summer.
Teammates and coaches hailed the news at Tuesday's practice in the new RSL stadium as a great development for the fans and for the club itself. Morales, they believe will become even more effective now that he is in a RSL uniform for more than a short-term basis.
"We're very happy with Javier," Kreis said. "We're happy with the work he put in (over) the offseason. We're happy with how dedicated he's shown himself to be to our club."
With a key contract situation out of the way, Morales can pour his focus into the remainder of this season. He and his teammates want to make sure this is the year they finally end the rebuilding cycle for RSL.
"Javier would say it himself: he's focused on this year and the next couple of games coming up," goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. "If we don't make the playoffs this year, it's just another year that went down the tubes."
John Coon is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
