Real Salt Lake’s Chris Schuler will likely need face surgery after suffering what head coach Jeff Cassar said Tuesday were likely fractures in his orbital bones in a collision with teammate Nat Borchers in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Chivas USA.
In an interview with ESPN 700, Cassar said a clear picture of the injury’s extent hasn’t emerged yet due to swelling, and that a full diagnosis could take seven to ten days. Cassar said the big central defender is seeing specialists for the injury, which he said will likely keep Schuler, who has started in all 25 of his appearances this season, out for at least Saturday’s home game against the San Jose Earthquakes (9:30 pm ET; MLS Live).
“It’s not looking great,” Cassar said.
Cassar said Carlos Salcedo and Aaron Maund are likely candidates to replace Schuler and will “have to step up.”
Salcedo was called up to Mexico’s U-21 national team and traveled to link up with them, but Cassar said he spoke with the coach about their situation and the 21-year-old will return to RSL on Thursday.
Real Salt Lake, currently third in the Western Conference, need one more win to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs but could secure their spot prior to playing San Jose if other results go their way.
