SANDY, Utah — Despite suffering a back injury during the team’s wild 3-3 draw at San Jose last weekend, Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando is expected to be healthy and in the starting lineup for RSL’s home opener against the LA Galaxy on Saturday (2 p.m. MT; Click for tickets).
Rimando, 34, suffered a back spasm while making a save in the 22nd minute of the match last weekend at Buck Shaw Stadium and played the duration of the match, but expressed some bewilderment about the injury on Tuesday.
“Never had a feeling like that with my back,” Rimando told reporters at training on Tuesday. “With some treatment, the back loosened up. No problems at all. I feel 100 percent today.”
Added head coach Jeff Cassar: “Nick knows his body better than anybody. He looked great today, I'm looking forward to seeing him play this weekend.”
It’s unclear if midfielder Javier Morales will suit up, however, after also suffering a back injury practice last week. Morales did not play against San Jose, and Cassar said he’s unsure if the Argentine playmaker will return against LA.
Also questionable is rookie defender/midfielder Jordan Allen (ankle), while defender Aaron Maund (hamstring) is out.
Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez is expected to be out at least a couple more weeks after re-injuring his hamstring in training last week, while defender Chris Schuler, who had off-season foot surgery, is progressing and getting close to a return.
