"Experimental" RSL Squad Drops Friendly to Denmark U-20s

Javier Morales in preseason action for RSL. (RealSaltLake.com)

Real Salt Lake kicked off their preseason friendly campaign yesterday in Casa Grande, AZ, fielding a largely untested lineup in dropping a 0-2 decision to the Denmark U-20 squad.  According to RSL's website, Javi Morales was the only starter likely to see time as a regular for the Claret and Cobalt this season.

The Danes seemed to have the better of the first half, and RSL 'keeper Lalo Fernandez had to put a stone stop on an opposing forward in the 9th minute to keep the match scoreless.  However, RSL MF David Viana was hit for a PK in the 37th minute that the Danes promptly slotted home to make it 0-1, which held until halftime. 

RSL grabbed more of a foothold in the second half, inserting a more experienced lineup.  They nearly equalized in the 65th minute when former Earthquake Khari Stephenson rolled a shot just wide of the opposing goal after some trademark RSL buildup action.  In the end, the second goal of the match came off of the Claret and Cobalt's Yordany Alvarez, who accidentally deflected an opposing free kick into his own net and past new RSL 'keeper Jeff Atinella to make 0-2 in the 72nd minute.

The good news is that the staff got a good look at a lot of players in a game situation after the first training camp.  New boys Jeff Atinella, Lovel Palmer, Aaron Maund, Cole Grossman, John Stertzer, and Devon Sandoval all saw minutes, as well as guys like Enzo Martinez, Sebastian Velasquez, David Viana , and Kenny Mansally, all of whom will probably be expected to make bigger contributions this year.

All in all, I wouldn't put too much in stock in the result, after just a week or so of training together.  Also keep in mind that RSL were missing several internationals and  veteran players like Beckerman, Beltran, and Saborio (international duty) and guys like Rimando, Grabavoy, and Findley who did not see the pitch.

Other Notes: Javier Morales came off with a slight knock in the first half, but is not expected to miss any time.  Both Kyle Beckerman and Tony Beltran are in the 23 man squad for the USA's friendly against team Canada tonight.  Alvaro Saborio captained the Costa Rica side as the Ticos won the Copa Centroamericana earlier this week.  Congrats to Sabo and his teammates!