Just when it looked like Real Salt Lake would be getting a key component to its strike force back on the field, it was diminished again on Friday against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Javier Morales returned to the field after missing the prior two matches with a groin strain, but was forced out of the match before halftime and is now under the league’s concussion protocol and will miss at least Wednesday’s match against the LA Galaxy.
“He still has a headache, so it was a full concussion. Now we have to take the right protocols before he can be introduced back into training,” RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar said after training on Monday.
Morales was downed in the 27th minute on a ball in the corner, but the damage occurred when the boot of San Jose midfielder Shea Salinas caught Morales in the temple. After receiving treatment from the RSL training staff, Morales returned to the match, but was taken off in the 41st minute.
The 35-year-old midfielder had been the best offensive catalyst thus far this season for RSL before suffering the groin injury that forced him to miss losses against the Vancouver Whitecaps and New England Revolution. Through the first five matches, he had two goals and three assists, leading RSL in both categories.
“Javi’s the best player on our team. And also you’ve got (Joao) Plata that’s still out. So you’re looking at two players that when they’re fit and healthy they are the players that you look to give the ball to whenever we get it or win it back. So we’re definitely going to be missing him,” said midfielder Luke Mulholland.
RSL has U.S. National Team midfielder and U.S. U-23 captain Luis Gil at the ready to fill in for Morales. And with young players like Jordan Allen and Sebastian Saucedo contributing at a young age, Cassar is looking at the injury as an opportunity for young players to step in and establish themselves, just as Plata did last year when Robbie Findley was unable to start at the beginning of the season and Plata never relinquished his starting role.
“The good thing is that a lot of people are playing right now and gaining valuable experience,” Cassar said. “Jordan Allen. Sebastian Saucedo. Luis Gil. They’re getting quality minutes and we’re going to rely on them right now and in the future.”
The players aren’t lacking for confidence, either, as RSL continues down the path of the busiest month of the year with seven matches in May.
“It’s a great loss to be without Javier, but at the same time, I think we’ve got the personnel to get the job done,” Mulholland said.
Wednesday’s match with the LA Galaxy kicks off at 7:30 MT from Rio Tinto Stadium. Tickets are still available at www.RealSaltLake.com/tickets.
