RSL's Maund, Vasquez stand ready amid brief center back dearth


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SANDY — When Real Salt Lake defender Chris Schuler came out as a last-minute scratch against Vancouver, Elias Vasquez was surprisingly forced into the starting lineup for the heralded starter.

That brought Aaron Maund from his spot in the Rio Tinto Stadium training area to the 18 — and a play away from appearing in his first RSL match since Sept. 19, 2014.

“I had a little workout before, so I was still warm from the workout. That was good,” said Maund, who played 45 minutes against Colorado last September. “I’ve been waiting, ready, preparing and training since preseason. I’ve been ready to go, and hopefully my number gets called so I can go in there and do a good job. I want to get the job done.”

With RSL’s recent dearth of center back talent, the 24-year-old native of Dorchester, Massachusetts, could get his first start since last August when his team travels to face defending Eastern Conference champion New England on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MDT.

It’s a team that Maund says he knows well.

“I watched all of these games. I know pretty much all these teams, and I know New England is a team that I’ve watched plenty,” Maund said. “I know how they like to attack, so I think that will all help come Saturday.”

The 22-year-old Vasquez, who has two starts since RSL acquired him in the offseason after three years with Comunicaciones in Guatemala, could be the “veteran” presence in central defense against the Revs. But his experience goes beyond his years, RSL head coach Jeff Cassar said.

Photo credit: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News

“For such a young player, he has a lot of experience, whether it’s with the national team for Guatemala or playing so many games with his club team back home,” Cassar said. “But really it’s his personality; right from day one, he was a part of the group, his attitude is infectious, and he’s always positive. I think it’s really pushed him forward.”

The absences leave RSL’s central defense with a lack of depth for the weekend. Schuler’s torn meniscus has him out four to six weeks following surgery on Monday, and fellow defender Jamison Olave received a red card in last week’s 1-0 loss to Vancouver that will see him miss the New England match for suspension. Homegrown center back and utility player Justen Glad is away with the United States’ U-18 national team in Bosnia, and the squad is down to rookie center back Phanuel Kavita, who most recently has been on loan to the USL affiliate Monarchs. RSL rookie right back Boyd Okwuonu, who played 26 minutes Wednesday for the U.S. U-23 national team, has center back experience from his college days at North Carolina.

The young players are hopeful for a strong comeback from Schuler, while being mindful of the fact that they could be called into action at any moment.

“It’s always nice to see that the time to play could be coming closer and closer,” Glad said. “With the red cards and injuries around us, it could be any day now. But hopefully Schuler comes back as healthy as ever.

“I just have to be ready, because anything can happen.”

Javier Morales and Sebastian Jaime also remain in question for Saturday’s match with injuries to the attacking duo. Cassar said Jaime’s ability to manage pain from a bone bruise just over two weeks ago is his hold-up, while Morales continues to nurse a groin injury back to full health.

While the alarming injuries leave RSL’s depth in question at points, it also leaves open several options for young players to find playing time — and prove themselves at the highest level.

“Every day, you want to come out and play your best, and hopefully the coaches notice,” Glad said. “I just have to do my best to come out here and work hard so that hopefully I can get some minutes.”

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