SANDY — It seems like Real Salt Lake is on the cusp of overcoming their injury woes.
“I think we’re getting there. Guys are getting healthier,” RSL manager Jeff Cassar told reporters. “We could have a full rotation here probably within the next two weeks, to have everyone back besides (Chris) Schuler. It’s not just about getting them back to play one game, it’s about getting these guys back to play an entire season.”
Nearing a return, much to the delight of RSL fans, Joao Plata has made continuous strides to recover from a fractured left foot. His return to full training is just a step towards Plata returning to aid the RSL going forward, but Cassar cautioned that Plata will need to bring his fitness to the highest level should he be a contributor on the pitch.
“It’s a credit to Joao, because it has been a long process for him. He’s worked extremely hard with our trainers to get back to this point, and now it’s going to take another level of fitness to get to where you really want to be,” cautioned Cassar. “Being able to play is good, being able to practice is good, but being able to do it at 100 percent that’s a whole different level. He’s working hard to get there.
“Will he help out this weekend? I’ll know more on Friday,” said Cassar.
Midfield maestro Javier Morales has almost cleared all the concussion protocols issued by the league, and would be a welcome addition to the starting 11 having missed the past slew of matches.
STRUGGLING NYCFC: It’s got to be pretty difficult to jumpstart an expansion team, and the second go around for former RSL manager Jason Kreis hasn’t quite lived up to the hype.
Yet.
Winless dating back to a March 15 result in Yankee Stadium, Kreis and Co. have struggled to a 1-6-4 record heading back to the Beehive State. RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando offered a bit of sympathy for the former manager, and also touched on Kreis’ will to win.
“I think anytime you come to a new team there’s always going to be troubles and some problems. It’s never going to be perfect,” said Rimando. “Even for a team like us with a lot of change, it’s not going to be perfect in the beginning. Jason is the type of guy that isn’t going to give up, and do whatever he can to make it right.”
STEPPING UP: Coming off a disappointing road trip to Montreal, RSL has moved on.
Now, as Saturday’s match looms large, Cassar is asking all his players to elevate their games in a positive way.
“I think we need to collectively step up, and if everyone does that were going to have a better performance,” said Cassar. “We can’t rely on one guy, we need to have all 11 contributing for us to be successful. It can’t come down to the forwards, it can’t come down to the midfielders or the defenders. It’s got to be a collective effort.”
Rimando also dismissed what has amounted to a somewhat disappointing start to the season, adding that a few results can change the landscape of the season.
“Just try to keep it positive as much as you can, and believe in ourselves that it’s going to click. It’s taken longer for sure, the results, but were not too far out of where we need to be,” said Rimando. “Two or three games in a row will get you right back on top, and this league is so up and down that anyone can beat anyone. We just need to keep rolling and get back to our winning ways.”
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