This week, Real Salt Lake will face the New England Revolution in Foxboro, Mass. So there is no better time for New England-native Aaron Maund to ready for his season debut.
The 24-year-old defender is in his third season with Real Salt Lake and finds himself amidst a deep core of center backs that includes 2010 MLS Defender of the Year Jamison Olave, Chris Schuler and new addition Elias Vasquez. Now with Olave serving a red card suspension and Schuler out of the lineup after undergoing knee surgery on Monday, Maund is thrust into the spotlight for Saturday’s match against the Revolution.
He couldn’t be more ready.
“It’s something I’ve been preparing for. I knew my name was going to get called at some point,” Maund said on The Bill & OC Show on ESPN 700 on Wednesday. “I prepare every week like I’m playing and I’m practicing hard.”
After already facing an array of attacking stars like Sebastian Giovinco, Chris Wondolowski, Dom Dwyer and Octavio Rivero, the Revs and their versatile offense now pose a new challenge for RSL and, presumably, Maund and Vasquez as the starting center back tandem. In addition to three forwards with experience with the U.S. National Team in Charlie Davies, Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo, New England also features rising talents Kelyn Rowe and Diego Fagundez as well as 2014 MLS MVP finalist Lee Nguyen, who himself also has appeared with the U.S. National Team. That’s not to mention the catalyst to the club’s incredible turnaround last year, Jermaine Jones.
This is the team the scored 26 goals in the final 14 games of the 2014 season to storm into the playoffs and make a run to the MLS Cup final, with the notable addition of Agudelo.
“They’re definitely a dangerous team. They went all the way to the final last year, so they definitely have some quality,” Maund said. “They have a pretty dynamic attack. We’re definitely going to have our hands full in the back.”
Maund has 17 career starts in his three previous seasons, but this would be his first start in New England. And with family a mere 30 minute drive away, he is excited to get back on the field.
“It’ll be good to see everybody and get back to the hometown.”
To hear the full interview, click here.
