SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake's new Argentine striker Sebastian Jaime worked out with the team for the first time on Monday morning.
He could make his debut Saturday when RSL faces the San Jose Earthquakes on the road (8:30 pm MT; CW30).
“It's really up to how he progresses with the group and understanding the way we want him to play on both sides of the ball,” RSL coach Jeff Cassar told reporters, “but I anticipate him traveling to San Jose with us. So the opportunity will be there.”
Cassar said Jaime not only has the talent but “he's got the right attitude.”
Salt Lake signed their new forward from Chilean club Union Espanola, where he scored 39 goals in 124 appearances. After clearing up visa issues, the 27-year-old striker arrived in Utah on Friday and passed his physical first-thing Monday morning.
From there, it was straight to training.
“I'd like to think that we have a really easy group to fit in with because of the guys and how friendly everybody is and welcoming,” defender Chris Wingert told MLSsoccer.com. “Hopefully, the soccer part will take care of itself. Especially when you're playing up top. I think the transition to coming into a team is slightly easier than maybe another position.”
Goalkeeper Nick Rimando said it will be “tough” for him to quickly adapt but said it’s the job of the team’s Spanish-speaking players – Jaime doesn’t speak English – to help him along.
“Hopefully, he adapts quick because he’s our big player that they brought in,” Rimando said.
There's no debating that Real Salt Lake has lacked firepower from their forwards. Three have scored this season – Joao Plata leads the team with 11 goals in 19 appearances and Alvaro Saborio had six goals in 10 appearances before he broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot training with the Costa Rican national team back in May, while Olmes Garcia has pitched in with three goals.
But the good news was that Saborio was also at Monday's training session, running drills with his teammates.
“I think he's way ahead of schedule,” said Cassar, who still isn't certain when Saborio will return to full training and be available for games. “I still think there's a healing process to be taking place. But he's hungry. Now we have to pull the reins back on him a little bit and make sure we're being smart.”
