SANDY, Utah – If Robbie Findley did indeed play his last game in a Real Salt Lake uniform on Saturday night, at least he went out with a bang.
The speedy striker scored his team’s lone goal of a maddeningly frustrating night of missed chances, and was the catalyst for a number of RSL’s best scoring threats after coming on for starter Alvaro Saborio in the 65th minute.
WATCH: FINDLEY SCORES FOR RSL
But Findley couldn’t outrun the inevitable questions concerning his future with RSL while his contract with the club comes to an end after more than three seasons in Salt Lake City. He’s expressed a desire in playing abroad and the club confirmed this summer that they’d received interest from foreign teams that included transfer fees, but nothing the club said required serious consideration.
Head coach Jason Kreis said after Saturday’s match he’s met with Findley on several occasions this season to encourage him to stay with Real Salt Lake.
“I tried to give him all the reasons why I think it’s best if he stays here, and that’s my opinion,” Kreis said. “I think he should stay here. But he gets to make his own decisions, and I’m not sure which way he’s going to go, I honestly don’t.”
Findley parted ways with agent Patrick McCabe just prior to his appearance with the US national team at this summer’s World Cup, where he started three of the Americans’ four matches.
“I’m going to digest all the stuff that’s happened this year and sit down and figure all that out when the time comes,” said Findley, who scored five goals in 24 appearances during the regular season. “I’m always willing to hear what Jason and [GM Garth Lagerwey] have to say, so I’m sure we’ll all sit down and talk, and figure stuff out.”
Lagerwey said he’s eager to find resolution on Findley before the end of the MLS season, but he’s unsure what the future holds between the team and the their 25-year-old striker.
“The bottom line is, we need a few days to process everything,” Lagerwey said. “We have to talk to Robbie one on one and see what he wants to do.”
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