Javier Morales « Keepin' it Real

Position: Midfielder

Born: January 10, 1980

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Height: 5′ 9″

Weight: 140 lbs

NT Caps: None

Nickname: Javi

Current salary: $200,000

Contract Length: 4 yrs (expires in 2012)

Misc: Javier has played for a total of eight teams in a 12 year span that has included stops with

Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina and UD Vecindario in the Spain’s second division. In 2009

he was named an MLS All-Star and enjoyed an outstanding playoff run scoring against

Columbus in the first round and notching two assists for Real Salt Lake.

Javier Morales is the engine behind Real Salt Lake when they are playing their most attractive

style of attacking play. He had a tremendous campaign during 2008, but seemed much more

pedestrian on the 2009 season. The Argentine playmaker is slight of build, and often goes down

too easily on the pitch, but he also often takes a beating out-on-the field. His torn meniscus

suffered in the MLS Cup Championship courtesy of a collision with David Beckham required offseason

surgery, but he reportedly should be ready to go for the 2010 season.

Javi is a very creative player with deft footwork, who can make something out of nothing, and with his

characteristic leg drag is able to keep the ball when it seems unlikely. He also is above average with

set pieces, and in particular can be deadly from just outside of the area. He’s an attacking player, and

doesn’t provide much on the defensive end of the ball – a typical Argentine #10.

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