With the conclusion of the 2015 MLS season, four Real Salt Lake players went out of contract. Javier Morales quickly signed on to come back in 2016, but that leaves Luis Gil, Luis Silva and Chris Schuler. All players in different circumstances, that trio has big decisions ahead in the offseason as does RSL General Manager Craig Waibel as he weighs the value of the players against the available salary cap space.
“All three of Luis, Luis and Chris are interesting players. It’s fair to say we are having discussions with all of their representation,” Waibel said. “It’ll be very difficult and highly improbable to retain all three of them due to the dynamic of contracts.”
Silva, for one, has received interest from Mexico and could see an agreement reached soon to make that move to Tigres. Two things at play with RSL in that scenario are the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round meeting with Tigres and Silva’s future MLS rights.
Silva came to RSL in a mid-season trade in exchange for Alvaro Saborio and Waibel quickly went in to see how he fit in with the team. Although he didn’t register a goal or assist in his 530 minutes, his on-field acumen and locker room presence proved valuable enough for Waibel to seek to keep him in the Claret-and-Cobalt. However, the draw of the money available in Mexico is difficult to compete with and it appears that he will seek those pastures.
Originally drafted in 2012 by Toronto FC, Silva was traded to D.C. United midway through the 2013 season and thrived with D.C. In 2013 and 2014 he was the club’s leading scorer, totaling 15 goals and six assists in 54 matches despite being saddled with injuries for stretches of time. Because Salt Lake extended an offer to Silva, RSL will maintain his MLS rights if he should return to the league at any point in the future. Waibel said Wednesday that he felt like the relationship between the club and Silva was strong enough that it would still be an attractive option to him in the future.
“We’ve had a great relationship with Luis since he touched down,” Waibel said. “Every now and then, there are circumstances that you can’t say no to.”
Waibel went on to say he didn’t have answers yet on Schuler and Gil. Schuler played just five matches in 2015 while battling injuries, but clearly still has value when healthy and Gil is still glistening with potential at just 22 years old and vying for a spot in the Olympics with the U.S. U-23 National Team.
“They’re all good enough to have options,” Waibel said. “It’s a difficult process and a tight rope to walk.”
To hear more on out of contract players and many other wide-ranging topics listen to Waibel on the Claret-and-Cobalt Daily here.
