The 2015 MLS season is only five matches old for Real Salt Lake, but already Head Coach Jeff Cassar has been put to the test. Not only has his squad played in two of the league’s toughest venues in Portland and Kansas City and gotten results, but through injuries and international call-ups, he has had to do some lineup shuffling to lead RSL to a 2-0-3 record.
Already 17 different players have started for Real Salt Lake and 19 have made appearances in total.
“I’m extremely pleased with all the players that have stepped into the roles – whether it’s Jordan Allen, whether it’s Devon Sandoval, whether it’s Elias Vasquez this past game for stepping in for Chris Schuler. Obviously Abdoulie Mansally has done a great job for us at left back with Demar (Phillips) out,” Cassar said during his weekly appearance on the Bill & OC Show on ESPN 700. “So we’ve had a lot of players that have stepped into big roles. Also our substitutions - players like John Stertzer – have really brought something to the game every time they’ve played and that’s a fantastic sign for us moving forward.”
This week, Cassar is nearing his full arsenal – minus Joao Plata, who is making progress in his recovery from a foot fracture suffered in the first preseason training session in January. Sebastian Jaime participated in most of training on Tuesday at a windy America First Field. Schuler was back to full training as well after missing Saturday’s scoreless draw with Sporting Kansas City to rest a knock suffered the previous week against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Meanwhile, Phillips, who was brought in during the offseason as the presumed starter at left back, suffered a hamstring strain late in preseason, but has been spelled admirably by Mansally. In the Gambian defender’s four starts, RSL has allowed just one goal.
Not only have players filled in well when called upon, but they are also increasingly making Cassar’s lineup decisions more and more difficult moving forward.
To hear Cassar’s full interview, click here.
