Rebuilding a team takes patience, and that's been something Real Salt Lake coach Jeff Cassar has shown in his team's rough start to 2015. For some of RSL's youth contingent that patience is already starting to pay dividends.
Utility winger Jordan Allen, 20, was called up to the United States Under-20 roster for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Thursday, a clear indication of his playing quality and the high opinions coaching staff holds of him. Wednesday's draw against the L.A. Galaxy saw him playing in the midfield where he was excellent in taking on players as he drove forward in the attack.
During the draw, Allen recorded an unreal five successful take-ons (where the player dribbles past an opponent and retains possession). While he wasn't solely responsible for any shots, his influence helped open space for RSL as it looked to create attacking opportunities for Devon Sandoval and Alvaro Saborio.
As a young player, Allen's development required a surprising amount of patience from him and his coach. After he went down with an ankle injury in early 2014 — what was then the latest in a series of injuries that had been following him in the preceding years — he took nearly a year off from competitive play. A microfracture repair surgery put him out of commission, and he started a long road toward a comeback.
The hard work he put into return is culminating in recognition for strong performances in 2015 from international call-ups to his first-ever MLS start. Cassar's patience certainly helped Allen's confidence, too.
Real Salt Lake right back Tony Beltran heaped praise on the youngster after Wednesday's match, saying that “everything stood out about (Allen).”
“Sometimes it's tough to deal with that kind of talent when you're that young and you know the pressure, but he continually does the right things here in the locker room and outside of the game, and that's why he's getting his chance on the field,” Beltran said.
Cassar echoed the praise of Allen's performance.
“He's just dynamic, and he's willing to take people on,” Cassar told reporters after the match. “He's responsible defensively as well. He just brings energy. I love to see him play because he's aggressive in his mind.”
Luis Gil
That same sort of patience is one Cassar is sometimes tasked with exercising in regard to Gil, Real Salt Lake's young up-and-comer who's been seemingly stuck with that label since his first minutes for the team 2011.
Gil, 21, has sometimes struggled to make his impact on games noticed, but Wednesday was a marked improvement. Playing the attacking midfield role vacated by Javier Morales (out because of concussion), Gil genuinely took hold of the game and showed the immensely positive qualities that have been expected of him.
Whether or not those expectations are fair is inevitably a different story. Despite his youth, Gil is a five-year veteran of MLS and Real Salt Lake, and consistency is demanded from supporters. While Gil hasn't had the same injury concerns — he did have lingering injury issues in 2014 that led to him having a fairly down season — the same sort of patience is necessary if he's to find true success.
If Morales quickly returns from a concussion, Gil's status will be a particularly interesting thing to keep an eye on. Will he be pushed back on the wing, or will Cassar find a way to fit him into the lineup, especially after a strong performance? With Allen set for a several-game absence while he's at the U-20 World Cup, maybe Cassar will have an opportunity to play Morales and Gil in the same setup as he played Gil and Allen against the Galaxy.
Sebastian Saucedo
Park City native Sebastian “Bofo” Saucedo, 18, has been making waves for Real Salt Lake as a late substitute, and his late appearance against the Galaxy nearly secured victory for the home side.
A beautiful pass somehow beat L.A.'s defense with the ball falling to veteran RSL defender Jamison Olave. The ensuing shot went past the far post, but the late opportunity shows well on Saucedo.
After signing a contract with a 2015 start date last summer, patience in him has perhaps been a little easier. Saucedo was given a chance to hone his skills in training week-in, week-out with the team. That's paying dividends now as the youngster is looking better with every appearance.
His first match saw him create a spark before a rash tackle ended in a red card, but he's back in contention and impressing with the very limited minutes he's been going.
Matt Montgomery is the managing editor of RSL Soapbox.
Twitter: TheCrossbarRSL
Email: montgomery.matt@gmail.com