Real Salt Lake Technical Director Craig Waibel appeared on the Soccer Morning podcast on Wednesday morning in a wide-ranging interview with host Jason Davis. The ever-candid Waibel dropped a few not-so-small morsels during the segment, noting that RSL isn’t afraid to lose players to international duty or to target big name (or big money) Designated Players.
On the topic of DPs, Davis noted that RSL has historically targeted players that come at a smaller price tag as opposed to the Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins and Giovinco signings that have bolstered the LA Galaxy, Sounders FC and Toronto FC over the years.
“We are a homework-based club. We aren’t a big-ticket, buy-now club. We’ll do our research,” Waibel said. “Our owner has stated many times that he is interested in bringing in a well-known, world-class designated player. But it’s a matter of continuing to do our homework to be sure that guy fits in.”
Keane, Waibel notes, is the gold standard for big-money signings after leading the Galaxy to MLS Cup titles in three of his four seasons in Major League Soccer. Not only has he been remarkable on the field, but Keane has also been the locker room presence that LA needed to win championships. That is the most important element for RSL, as the club continues its mantra that the “Team is the Star.”
“If we can find another guy that fits into our locker room the way he fits into LA, that motivates the guys around him the way he motivates the guys around him, you will definitely see us signing a big-name Designated Player,” Waibel said. “It’s really the task of maintaining that and bringing the right guys in that fit the ‘Team is the Star’ mold. It’s a matter of doing the homework and bringing the right guys in.”
Davis also asked Waibel about the impending losses RSL will face during the Gold Cup this summer, when the club will likely lose a handful of players. Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando are regular call-ups for the U.S. National Team. Luis Gil is on the brink of becoming a regular at just 21 years old and defenders Tony Beltran and Chris Schuler are always on the cusp of a call-up for the U.S. Meanwhile, Alvaro Saborio and Joao Plata are regulars for Costa Rica and Ecuador, respectively.
With all of those players potentially missing time at various stages, the club’s depth will inevitably get tested. That, to the RSL Technical Director, is a welcome challenge for the entire technical staff.
“There are two sides to it. You really want these international guys, but there are times when you feel like you get hurt,” he said. “Stepping into this position, I don’t mind looking at potential games where we will be down four guys or five guys or maybe even six guys if we’re fortunate and everyone’s performing well. Every player’s goal is to play for their national team, so these are things for me that are great problems to have.”
To hear the full interview, click here.
