In 2015, Real Salt Lake launched Real Monarchs to compete in the USL and serve as a bridge to the gap between the club’s highly-touted academy in Arizona and the MLS club. While the plan was intended to provide a place for young players to earn their stripes on the path to the first team, the underlying intention was that RSL players would also pepper the roster on loan throughout the year. Because of a rash of injuries, suspensions and international call-ups, that was less prevalent than perhaps intended in 2015, but already in the USL club’s first match last week, the Monarchs got great contributions from RSL players in earning a 1-0 win over St. Louis FC on Saturday.
Since Real Salt Lake was off that week and needed to get playing time to the depth of its roster, six RSL players started for the Monarchs in the victory at Rio Tinto Stadium. Getting those players time wasn’t only valuable as RSL enters a match against Sporting Kansas City this week with a diminished roster, but also was a sign of a more inclusive philosophy moving forward.
“It was huge,” RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar said of the opportunity to get playing time to his team during the bye week. “Now they have a little bit more confidence that they can play longer during the games. They got a hard-fought result so it was a real positive.”
Monarchs Head Coach Freddy Juarez is completely on board with the philosophy, too. Even as the Monarchs roster was strengthened in the off-season with key additions all over the field, the inclusion of MLS players on his gameday roster when those players are approaching the match as an opportunity to earn playing time and not as a demotion is mutually valuable for all parties involved.
“That’s what the Monarchs are here for. When you’re first team players aren’t getting minutes, you’ve got to keep them fit,” Juarez said after the match on Saturday. “Hopefully next week when the first team goes to KC, you have guys who are in rhythm. Football’s all about rhythm. If you’re in good rhythm, you’re in good shape and you’re fitness is there, you can contribute to a team. Who knows what the lineup will be next week, but if one of these guys that played for us tonight is called upon, then he’s going to contribute and hopefully in a positive way.”
RSL will be without defender Jamison Olave, midfielder Kyle Beckerman and forward Juan Manuel Martinez because of suspensions and could also be missing a few other players as well because of injury. That creates opportunities for players that appeared last week for the Monarchs like defender Justen Glad, midfielder Luke Mulholland and forward Devon Sandoval.
To a man, the players all gave the match the proper respect and that has them ready for the fiery meeting with Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.
“We started training with the Monarchs on Thursday and it was good right from the start. We’re all one family. The Monarchs and Real Salt Lake are here together. If we’re called down here, we’re here to do a job and to help,” Sandoval said. “It’s huge. We need to be playing as much as we can and getting out there and getting 90. It keeps us sharp, keeps us fit and we’re all ready for Kansas City.”
Despite missing so many key players, Cassar is optimistic about his team’s chances on Saturday against one of RSL’s biggest rivals.
“I’m really excited about the team that we’re going to be putting out there. It’s a little bit different look, but you can also get some different strengths within the areas,” Cassar said. “The guys behind them will really have to step up because they’re going to be in different roles and maybe they’re going to have to make an impact whether it’s keeping the lead or searching for goals.”
RSL kicks off against SKC at 6:30 p.m. MT, while the Monarchs will start against LA Galaxy II at 7 from Rio Tinto Stadium.
