Real Salt Lake short on defenders as D.C. United comes to town


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SANDY — There were no signs posted for open tryouts to join Real Salt Lake’s defensive unit after practice this week. But after three suspension-worthy cards to defenders last week at Colorado, that may have been an option.

Instead, Saturday’s home match against Eastern Conference foe D.C. United will feature Real Salt Lake starter and 33-year-old defender Nat Borchers, who leads the team in minutes played, as well as a crew of mostly reserve defenders.

RSL went down three defenders after suspensions issued to defenders Aaron Maund, Chris Wingert and Tony Beltran against Colorado. Real Salt Lake will enter the rematch of last year’s U.S. Open Cup final with only Borchers, Chris Schuler, Abdoulie Mansally, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Carlos Salcedo and recent Homegrown signing Justen Glad to choose from in its back line.

Apart from regular starters Borchers and Schuler, the remainder of Saturday’s available defenders have a combined 534 minutes of first-team experience this year.

Not that it’s a problem for RSL, according to Borchers.

“We’ve done this before; it’s not the first time we’ve had to replace guys who are out for suspensions or injuries. It’s nothing new,” the veteran center back said. “Guys know the system; I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”


It's just a mentality; when one player goes down, you've just got to be ready whenever. Even though I haven't been in the 18 as much, I've been ready. Once you get the opportunity, you're just going to go all-out. For me, it's just like any other game. I've got to step up and make a difference.

–RSL defender Abdoulie Mansally


RSL has several options to replace Wingert and Beltran, who have played a combined 3,344 minutes in 2014. It could switch to a three-man backline, tweaking its usual 4-4-2 diamond formation to play a 3-5-2 with two defensive midfielders. The team could also insert Watson-Siriboe and Mansally at either fullback position, where they’ve played for most of RSL’s reserve league games. Schuler and Salcedo have also played outside back at various times in their careers.

Mansally is getting ready if his name is called this weekend.

“It’s just a mentality; when one player goes down, you’ve just got to be ready whenever,” he said. “Even though I haven’t been in the 18 as much, I’ve been ready. Once you get the opportunity, you’re just going to go all-out. For me, it’s just like any other game. I’ve got to step up and make a difference.”

RSL coach Jeff Cassar admitted the team’s situation isn’t ideal. But he’s also not worried about turning to his reserves in this situation.

“It’s going to be a tricky one,” Cassar said. “But it doesn’t happen too many times where both outside backs are gone in a game. We’re prepared. We have guys that will step in and do a great job for us.”

No matter who is on the field, each RSL player has a singular focus.

“D.C. is a good team, but you never underrate any team,” Mansally said. “We are still competing right now. I know they’re coming in from the East Coast, but for us, we are just going to play them like any team and play hard and get that three points.”

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Sean Walker

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