RSL Family Reunion
Few people impact an organization the way Jason Kreis did for Real Salt Lake. The first player ever signed to the club in its inaugural season in 2005, Kreis was a key contributor on the field until his retirement in 2007, when he immediately took over head coaching duties. While at the helm, he led the club to the 2009 MLS Cup title along with finals in the 2013 MLS Cup, 2013 U.S. Open Cup and 2011 CONCACAF Champions League.
Now the Head Coach with New York City FC, Kreis brings with him six players who once suited up for RSL – Chris Wingert, Ned Grabavoy, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Josh Saunders, Sebastian Velasquez and Mehdi Ballouchy. When things kick off at 8 p.m. MT, those friendships will be cast aside as both teams seek out three crucial points.
Many (More) Happy Returns
Could Saturday also see the return of Joao Plata, Sebastian Jaime and Javier Morales? All three have made tremendous strides in recent weeks from injury absences and could see the field against NYCFC. Morales has missed five of the last six matches to a groin injury, then a concussion. Plata has missed the first 11 matches with a fractured foot. And Jaime has been out of action since the third match of the season with a bone bruise in his leg. Getting any one of them back on the field would be a big boost for Head Coach Jeff Cassar and RSL.
Cassar said in an interview with ESPN 700 on Friday that he expects both Morales and Plata to be available for selection on Saturday, increasing the possibility that RSL could have players that contributed a combined 22 goals and 18 assists in 2014.
David Villa
The list of players to have ever played in Major League Soccer with the credentials of NYCFC forward David Villa is a short one. He won two La Liga titles with Barcelona and a third with Atletico Madrid. He also lifted Copa del Rey trophies with Real Zaragoza, Valencia and Barcelona, won UEFA Champions League in 2011 and reached the final in 2014. That’s all without mentioning his 2010 World Cup title with Spain. All told, he has scored 185 goals in 11 seasons in La Liga before making the leap to MLS this year.
With NYCFC he has two goals and two assists in eight matches and is crucial to the club’s attack. He will be a man to watch even if he is not 100-percent due to a hamstring injury that has hindered him early on this season.
First 15 Minutes
Whenever there is an emotional match like the one between RSL and NYCFC, the first 15 minutes go a long way in determining the match. An early mistake or opportunity by either side dictated by the emotions of the moment could make or break either team.
Real Salt Lake has yet to allow a goal in the first 15 minutes this season, while NYCFC has let in three in the first 11 matches, including one in each of its last two matches. Capitalizing on an early opportunity could get RSL back on scoring track.
