Real Salt Lake is likely to be without its top playmaker for at least the next game on Wednesday against the LA Galaxy after Javier Morales suffered a concussion on Friday in a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. In finding his replacement for any matches he misses, Head Coach Jeff Cassar could certainly do worse than the captain of the U.S. U-23 National Team.
Luis Gil is a natural fit to fill the void left by Morales, particularly when you consider his 117 matches of MLS experience – a figure that belies his 21 years of age.
However, Cassar would like to see more out of Gil than what he has been able to contribute through the first eight matches of the season.
“I’d like to see him really grab ahold of the game – really dictate it,” Cassar said on his weekly radio show on The Bill & OC Show on ESPN 700. “And then once he does that, to really continue to strive to make that final ball a perfect ball for our forwards and for our wingers. And just to be seen throughout the 90 minutes of the game.”
Gil has 10 goals and eight assists in his MLS career, including a season of five goals and three assists in 30 matches in 2013. And while he has yet to register a point in eight appearances with RSL this year, he has been incredibly impactful with the U.S. U-23 National Team in the team’s preparations for Olympic qualifying later this year. In three friendlies, he has logged four assists in captaining the squad to a 2-1-0 record with wins against Bosnia and Mexico and the defeat coming against Denmark.
Cassar is hoping for that type of production from Gil with RSL and sees him progressing toward that end.
“I think Luis is making strides. He’s pushing. I know he’s working hard. We’re working hard to get him in good positions. And I think it’s coming. I know it’s coming,” Cassar said. “I know it’s frustrating for us and for the fans right now, but we are pushing hard every day to get better.”
RSL will face the LA Galaxy on Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium. For the full interview with Cassar, click here.
