Real Salt Lake is quickly gaining a reputation as a club that has found the balance between developing players and competing in Major League Soccer. Whether internally with promising Academy alums or after Head Scout Andy Williams has scoured international matches for potential additions to the club, the growing belief is that RSL will give them the platform to grow and earn their spots on the field.
Now with the addition of another young talent in 19-year-old Argentine-Chilean midfielder Pablo Ruiz, the growing list of players who cut their developmental teeth with Real Salt Lake has a chance to grow even more in 2018.
The former Argentina U-17 National Teamer comes to MLS with just one year of first-team experience, playing with San Luis in Chile most recently. Once he is able to adjust to a new team and new city with a different culture, RSL General Manager Craig Waibel anticipates that he will be a regular contributor for the club in its quest to return to the postseason.
“Whenever you bring in a young player, you always have to account for the transition period. With Savarino last year, it went very quickly, so that’s our hope,” Waibel said, noting a stellar season from Jefferson Savarino after his mid-April arrival from Venezuela. “Our fans will see him. Whatever that transition is, we expect him to contribute with the first team this year.”
Like Savarino, Ruiz comes to RSL with experience at the youth national team level, but is still seeking his first senior national team appearance. Whether it comes with Argentina or Chile – he is eligible for both – it’s not a call that will come easy. And as was proven by Savarino and players like recent U.S. call-ups Justen Glad, Danny Acosta and Brooks Lennon, getting extensive playing time with RSL is a good springboard into an international debut.
All four were key contributors to RSL’s 8-3-4 record over the final 15 matches of last season. Add in Sebastian Saucedo’s burst of instant offensive energy in a reserve role and those five represented a new class of important players for RSL.
Over that final 15-game stretch, those five contributed a combined seven goals and 10 assists in 3,871 minutes of action, making 41 starts and 62 appearances.
“We’re not going to rush that process, but we’re excited to get him quickly into our culture and go from there,” Waibel said.
Ruiz is expected to join the team later in preseason, upon receipt of his visa and ITC, but already challenges the depth in the middle of the field for Real Salt Lake in 2018.
