SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake is certainly looking to sign players onto the roster ahead of the Secondary Transfer Window deadline on August 4, manager Pablo Mastroeni told the media during his midweek press conference.
Incoming Real Salt Lake Players?
“Ideally, at least positionally, we can replace those players that have left the club,” Mastroeni said. “I think we are working diligently with management, meeting every day to identify those players and hopefully bringing them on board sooner rather than later,” he added.
Most recently, Real Salt Lake declined to pick up the option on Chris Kablan’s loan deal with second-division Belgium club SK Beveren, sending the 27-year-old back to Belgium ahead of the start of their season on August 13. Kablan joined the likes of Jonathan Menéndez, who was loaned to Argentinian side Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, and Everton Luiz, who was permanently moved to SK Beveren.
The roster moves have opened the door for Real Salt Lake to acquire more players as the club pushes for supremacy in the West.
“High level outside of the league, or within the league, an experienced player and an under 22 (year old) I think would be a great compliment to the group that we already have,” Mastroeni said when asked what type of player(s ) exactly he and the club are pursuing. “Given that Damir [Kreilach] and Bobby [Wood] are more than likely going to be back sooner than later, but there is always that question mark, so now is a good opportunity to make sure that we have enough to make a final push towards the end of the season.”
Injury Concerns Linger
Kreilach and Wood are sidelined with long-term injuries. Kreilach underwent successful back surgery a month and a half ago and is expected to be available for selection closer to the start of the playoffs or towards the tail end of the regular season while Wood is recovering from abductor surgery and is potentially going to be available in a month time.
Regardless, Real Salt Lake is still in need of depth and talent. Specifically, at the point of the attack or in the heart of the midfield. Wood has become susceptible to injury as of late while Mastroeni is relying on a first-year professional in Jasper Loffelsend to withstand a lot of minutes in his rookie campaign. This season will mark the longest season of Loeffelsend’s short-lived professional career and the club is wary that the rigors of the MLS season may hinder the production of Loeffelsend down the stretch.
It remains unknown just how much financial backing the club has from ownership or what the current state of the budget looks like. However, given that the club has opened a roster room with the three most recent departures, it would appear that Real Salt Lake is financially stable and in a position to acquire more talent today.
Next Real Salt Lake Match
RSL will stay in Utah and prepare for a clash with FC Dallas next Saturday evening. The kick off is scheduled for 8 pm at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The fixture will be the first of two this year with the concluding match between the two sides occurring in Dallas on August 27.
The match will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports and KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.
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