Justen Glad had yet another standout performance for Real Salt Lake on Saturday in a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. The 20-year-old center back and former RSL Academy player has been a difference-maker in the RSL defense since his return from injury and international duty on June 17. Prior to that, he was a key component for the U.S. U-20 National Team in its run to the CONCACAF U-20 Championship – the first in U.S. history – and to the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. And while a knee injury delayed his return from the CONCACAF tournament, he has been a force since he worked his way back into the starting lineup.
In his 15 matches with RSL, the club is 8-4-3 with five shutouts. The club’s +14 goal differential has been dramatically better than when he wasn’t in the lineup.
After the match on Saturday, RSL Head Coach Mike Petke was effusive in his praise of the young defender, particularly after a stunning stop to keep Will Bruin off the board in the early stages of the match.
“I have said it before Justen plays beyond his years and that is the one big credit. There is so many tangibles I could go on about Justen, about his touch on the ball, his pace, his athleticism but he reads the game far, far better than any player his age, I think, in this league and that is just one example,” Petke said. “Even when there is a miscue in the back like there was there and they send someone through. His positioning, and being able to track back and get back there and get that ball away. I have said all along the sky is the limit for him if he keeps continuing to work hard and improve.”
Petke wasn’t alone in his praise though.
Here is a sampling of some of the impressions of Glad from pundits around the league.
Ives Galarcep; Goal.com
“It is no coincidence that Justen Glad returned to the starting lineup just as RSL began to stop bleeding goals. The defender has been outstanding since his return from a knee injury suffered with the U.S. Under-20s, and RSL general manager Craig Waibel helped Glad and the RSL defense by also signing Uruguayan center back Marcelo Silva. RSL is 3-0-3 when Glad and Silva play full matches together, and RSL's defense has allowed just four goals in those six games.”
Greg Seltzer; MLSsoccer.com
“No one should expect Bruce Arena to tab the Real Salt Lake defender for October's crunch World Cup qualifiers, but the youngster's form means he could well get a look early next year. Glad has been one of the league's better center backs since returning from injuries and US Under-20 duty in June. He's averaged 16 total defensive stops over his last nine games, which has seen (RSL’s) charge into a playoff position.”
Matthew Doyle, MLSsoccer.com
“RSL (is) 8-4-3 +14 goal differential when Justen Glad plays, 4-10-2 -22 GD when he's not available. I don't think there's been a better center back in MLS over the second half of the season. Glad has been superb.”
David Gass; MLSsoccer.com
“Justen Glad has been a stud in Major League Soccer this year. He’s already one of the best center backs in the league – just 20 years old. The thing about Glad is he reads the game well. He’s strong when he tackles. He’s physical with other adult players and he’s still growing into his body. If you’re an RSL fan you’ve got to be excited to have Justen Glad in your system.”
