Throughout his young soccer career, Luis Gil has tackled new challenges, conquered goals and learned new lessons.
Now, the Real Salt Lake midfielder is in perhaps the busiest year of his career and he has more targets ahead. In addition to adapting to a more involved role in RSL’s 4-3-3 formation, Gil has his sights set on earning a spot with the U.S. National team and leading the U.S. U-23s to qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
“If I can be a part of all of it, it will be a big accomplishment,” Gil said last week on the Claret and Cobalt Daily Podcast. “At the same time, I’ve got to work for it and it starts here with RSL. That’s where they see you and want to see you strive. And you will get your opportunity. My main focus is the 23s and qualifying.”
This week, Gil is among eighteen players called in by Andi Herzog in the first camp in a very important year for the Olympic squad. The 21-year-old has already played key roles for the U.S. in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, reaching the Round of 16 in Nigeria, and the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, where he scored a goal in a defeat to Spain.
“That’s where players are developed and made. It’s a step forward with the 23s. Now it’s men. It’s not youth anymore. It’s going to be more difficult,” he said. “Competition is going to be tougher. But as a team we’re going to do the best we can.”
In addition to his lengthy experience as a youth international, Gil also has five years of MLS experience that have included runs to the 2011 CONCACAF Champions League final and the 2013 MLS Cup final. With that in consideration, it’s no wonder Herzog has Gil picked as one of the leaders of the team that will take the field Friday against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Although the friendlies come at a difficult time in the season for RSL with the team adjusting to new players and a difficult test against Toronto FC on Sunday, Gil is no stranger to balancing international duty with his club team.
Like he has been doing throughout his career, he is leaning heavily on Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales to guide him in his role within the new formation, which finds him more often in attacking positions, but also with greater defensive responsibilities.
“I’m still getting used to the formation and being a box-to-box player. I’m kind of the link between Kyle and Javi. I’m starting a little deeper, but also being able to get into the attack. Then when we are attacking if we lose the ball, I have to get back,” he said. “So it’s a big adjustment to me, but I feel like I’m getting it little-by-little and understanding how it works.”
Gil is scheduled to miss just the match against Toronto FC and be back with RSL ahead of the match with the San Jose Earthquakes at newly-opened Avaya Stadium on April 5. In addition to Friday’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U-23s will also face Denmark on March 31.
