Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
TUCSON, Ariz. — Real Salt Lake wrapped up its preseason play over the weekend at the Tucson Kino Sports Complex with a 2-2-2 overall record, including a 2-2-0 record in the four-match FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup.
The preseason, despite the many injury woes, sent RSL back to Utah on a winning note with a 1-0 match win over the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.
“You want to finish the preseason with a win and we did that, so now we’ve got a little bit of a positive feeling going into the season," RSL head coach Jason Kreis told the media following the final preseason match. "Everything here with the tournament has been superb — the facilities have been great, the hotel has been very good, the stadium here for the games has been great. The organizers, the owners of FC Tucson, have been nothing but professional. It’s been a terrific experience and we hope to be invited back next year.”
It seemed as though the ongoing struggle with injury followed RSL from the 2011 season right into the 2012 preseason. And although Kries expressed to the media following the final match that it was "frustrating for sure," he just hopes that, "at some point here, we’ll get everyone healthy."
With last season's injuries taking such a toll on the team, RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said, "We learned last year that there’s going to be injuries, and guys will have to step up." Beckerman also expressed his hope that those injured "can keep progressing like they have been and we can get back to full strength as soon as possible."
RSL began the preseason on Feb. 10 facing off against Vancouver and finishing with a 1-1 draw with the Whitecaps. Four days later, RSL again took a 1-1 draw, this time against D.C. United before beginning competition in the Desert Diamond Cup a week later.
Playing four matches in 11 days, RSL faced New York twice and Los Angeles and New England each once in the Desert Diamond Cup.
RSL begins regular season play this weekend on the road as they travel to face the reigning MLS Cup Champions, Los Angeles, on Saturday before returning to kick off home play on Mar. 17.
Kira Terry is a sports writer covering Real Salt Lake for ksl.com.
