Real Salt Lake returns to training on Tuesday after a bye-week in the MLS schedule. And while taking a weekend off in just the third weekend of the season wasn’t ideal scheduling, RSL captain Kyle Beckerman is taking a positive approach to the extra preparation the bye-week allowed his club.
“The week off really gave us a chance to put in a good solid week of training and then also gave some people with some bumps and bruises from the first two weeks to get a little rest,” he said during a guest appearance on The Bill & OC Show on ESPN 700. “What are you going to do? We just took it in a positive way and tried to make the best of it.”
RSL trained through the week, taking Sunday and Monday off before returning to the practice field on Tuesday. When they start their preparations for Sunday’s nationally televised match against Toronto FC, they will do so without four players who are away on international duty – Nick Rimando, Luis Gil, Alvaro Saborio and Elias Vasquez.
Those departures will create opportunities for other players on the RSL roster, putting to the test the depth of the squad.
“It seems to always be the case. You’re going to get tested at some point. This year, it’s coming a little earlier,” Beckerman said. “I’m excited. Guys are willing to step up and these are the opportunities that come around.”
Another point of excitement for Beckerman comes in the chance to play a nationally televised match at home early in the season. The match on Sunday will be RSL’s first match on Fox Sports 1, giving the club a chance to showcase Rio Tinto Stadium and the raucous environment created by the fans.
“I think it’s perfect. We love to have big games at home early in the season,” he said. “Our fans love it and usually it brings out the best in us.”
To hear Beckerman’s full interview with the Bill and OC Show, click here.
