The Barometer Online

Keepin' it Real in Salt Lake City

After standout four-year career at Oregon State, Robbie Findley has five goals in 10 games as a forward for Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake

Keegan Warrington

Issue date: 5/28/09 Section: Sports

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Media Credit: Barometer Photo File

As a Beaver, Robbie Findley was named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and made the All-Pac-10 team all four years he was in Corvallis. Now Findley has his eyes set on the Golden Boot and MLS Cup as part of Real Salt Lake.

By Keegan Warrington

The Daily Barometer

Not many people get to experience the thrill of scoring a game-winning shot only to hear G-O-A-L bellowing across the stadium, and even fewer people get to experience the rush of scoring their third goal of the game to get their first professional career hat-trick, but in the case of former Beaver soccer standout Robbie Findley, these experiences are commonplace, and the future only holds more excitement.

Findley is currently playing in the MLS for Real Salt Lake, and he is making a name for himself.

This is just Findley's third season in the MLS, and he already has five goals. His scoring ability has placed him in contention for the Golden Boot, which is awarded each year to the league's leading scorer.

"It is definitely a dream come true. It is what I have been wanting to do growing up, and to make it to this level is a good feeling," Findley said.

Throughout his college career at OSU, Findley dominated the Pac-10. He joined the Beavers in 2003 and was awarded Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He was also selected to the All-Pac-10 team for each of the four years he played at OSU.

"Everywhere I have been - from club soccer to Oregon State - has helped me a lot to be able to play at this level. Oregon State has played a big part," Findley said.

Findley capped off his collegiate career at OSU with a third All-Region selection, and he left the school as the third all-time leading scorer. Findley was drafted 16th overall in 2007 by the Los Angeles Galaxy, but he was traded to Real Salt Lake mid-season.

At only 5 foot 9 inches and 165 pounds, it is Findley's speed that makes him such a spectacular forward. Defenders struggle to keep up with him, and this allows him to create openings not only for himself but also for his teammates.

"If I am one versus one with a defender, the coaches will want me to beat him with my speed," Findley said.

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