Next on our positional previews of Real Salt Lake are the defenders. Mostly intact from the 2020 roster, the notable departure is Nedum Onuoha, whose leadership and experience leave a void in RSL’s defense. Here is our look at RSL’s defenders for 2021.
Defenders
Andrew Brody (25) – Totaled seven goals and seven assists in 100 USL Championship appearances in a career that has also included a loan to the Austrian third division. Signed with RSL late in 2020 for the 2021 season.
Justen Glad (24) – Though just 24 years old, has 126 career MLS appearances and is entering his eighth season. A young leader on RSL’s backline.
Bret Halsey (20) – RSL’s 2021 MLS SuperDraft pick helped Virginia reach the NCAA Championship final in 2019, finishing with 31 appearances over three seasons for the Cavaliers.
Aaron Herrera (23) – The stalwart right back earned recognition after his first cap with the U.S. National Team in January and looks to raise his profile in 2021. Has six assists in 68 career MLS matches over three seasons.
Erik Holt (24) – Started four matches for RSL in 2020 to bring his career totals to nine starts and 12 appearances in two MLS seasons. RSL Homegrown helped the Monarchs to the 2019 USL Championship title while on loan.
Ashtone Morgan (30) – Former Toronto FC defender has two goals and 11 assists in 127 career MLS appearances, winning MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and five Canadian Championships with his hometown club.
Noah Powder (22) – After excelling with the Monarchs in helping the club win the 2019 USL Championship title, has now emerged with Trinidad & Tobago and has two caps for his country.
Tate Schmitt (23) – RSL Homegrown was a key contributor for the Monarchs in winning the 2019 USL Championship title and has four starts in 10 appearances with RSL in two seasons.
Marcelo Silva (32) – A hard-nosed center back with experience in Spain and Italy, Silva is in his fifth MLS season with 61 appearances.
Donny Toia (28) – RSL’s first Homegrown now has 153 career MLS appearances and has been a regular starter at left back for the past two seasons, starting in 43 of his 44 appearances with one goal and two assists.
Freddy Juarez’s take: “We are happy with the back four. All of our defenders are really coming along and learning the tactical part of what we want to do and the finer details that we haven’t had in the past. We are trying to get them on the same page and working together in the collective. We feel like we are going to have a good group. They are very honest and work hard and there is a good balance between power and speed. We are happy – we hope we can potentially add a piece to it – but with what we’ve got, we are more than happy to get the season going and rely on them to keep us in matches. We are asking all of them to step up and be leaders. Marcelo is already a natural leader because of his age and experience. We are asking Donny Toia, Aaron and Glad to embrace the role of being more vocal and taking a higher role in leading the group on and off the field. We think we have a good amount of guys with good experience that should all be leaders and embrace that role.”
For the forwards preview, read here.
For the midfielders preview, read here.
