In that moment I saw Plata play the ball to me, and my first thought was to play to somebody else, but when I turned I didn’t see anybody in front of me, so I said, OK, let’s try it. – Javier Morales
SANDY — Real Salt Lake's well-deserved victory Saturday was highlighted by the spectacular play of one player.
Javier Morales, who had a goal and an assist in a must-win game at Rio Tinto Stadium, proved the Team is the Star mantra still reigns on the pitch in Sandy.
“I’m super proud of this team, especially right now, because we’re missing guys for national teams. We’re winning games now and I think it’s going to be good for the team,” said Morales. “We’re fighting for each other, we’re working hard. I think now that thing always was around here, The Team is the Star. I think we’re back there right now.”
A midweek quarterfinal victory over the LA Galaxy in the U.S. Open Cup carried over in a 2-0 result against visiting Houston in MLS action— all without RSL staples Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando and recently traded Alvaro Saborio. Celebrating his 200th start in MLS play, Morales, a nine-year veteran, highlighted the evening with a world-class finish to open the scoring 10 minutes before the half.
“In that moment I saw Plata play the ball to me, and my first thought was to play to somebody else, but when I turned I didn’t see anybody in front of me, so I said, OK, let’s try it,” Morales said. “And it worked.”
Morales’ performance came as no surprise to RSL manager Jeff Cassar, who said the key to the midfielder's game starts with fitness.
“No, he doesn’t surprise me,” Cassar told reporters after the match. "He’s taking excellent care of his body right now. He is showing no signs of slowing down right now.”
With four goals and seven assists this season, Morales has been the driving force for RSL.
BELTRAN, RIMANDO ALL-STARS: Tony Beltran was selected to the 2015 MLS All-Star team, joining Rimando as RSL's two representatives.
“It’s a tremendous honor to represent my club, to represent my league in this upcoming match. I’m looking forward to playing alongside a lot of those players. Players that are my peers, yes, but that I admire,” Beltran said. “A good opportunity, but of course I have to thank the coaching staff and my teammates. None of this is possible without them, without their hard work. The minutes I play will be for them.”
Beltran and Rimando will join David Villa, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, among others, as the MLS All-Stars take on England's Tottenham Hotspur in Commerce City, Colorado on July 29.
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