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SANDY — Real Salt Lake forward Rubio Rubin made his debut for the Guatemala national team earlier this month, and now the opportunities are coming with his club as well following an injury to starter Bobby Wood.
Rubin was introduced to fans over a year ago when he scored an impressive bicycle kick on May 7, 2021, against San Jose, giving RSL a goal of the year candidate and some rarely-seen acrobatic flash.
EARLY CONTENDER FOR @MLS GOAL OF THE YEAR! 😱
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 8, 2021
Take a bow, Rubio Rubin.
(via @realsaltlake)pic.twitter.com/l3wwPTaGrK
He contributed to the team's run to the Western Conference Finals last season, but his start to the 2022 season was delayed by injury.
He had a couple of appearances off the bench in May, but his first real opportunities of 2022 came with the Guatemala national team, including scoring a goal against the Dominican Republic on June 13.
Here's the goal from the Oregon native: pic.twitter.com/5805BMSytX
— Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) June 14, 2022
"I came back at the beginning of April from my injury and I struggled to really break through Pablo and his team because (I missed) preseason," Rubin said. "To go down (to Guatemala) and get 90 minutes and see the first one go in, it's very important, especially as an offensive player. It helps me a lot to be able to hopefully regain momentum and to score goals for RSL and help this team continue to win and to be at the top of the table."
Rubin's return to form could not come at a better time for RSL, as head coach Pablo Mastroeni finds himself down a forward with an injury to Wood in the first 20 minutes of last week's game against San Jose.
Mastroeni is confident in the options to replace Wood, especially given the team's success in spite of numerous injuries so far this season. Team captain Damir Kreilach started just three games and is out for several months, yet the team sits in second place in the league standings.
"This year, with all the different circumstances that have been thrown at us, like last game, Bobby coming out in the 20th minute, everyone is ready to go," Mastroeni said. "And I think you can attribute that to the culture that we have at this club: next man up, everyone's ready to go and everyone's really rooting for each other. It's a special feeling and one that hopefully will continue to carry us in the right direction."
Who is the next man up for RSL at the forward position?
A couple comments on my recap from last night focus on the dilemma of the forwards not producing to the level the team needs right now.
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) June 19, 2022
With Kreilach, and now Wood, injured, what is the answer for #RSL at the forward position? pic.twitter.com/BuqGQZpfCe
Rubin probably has the strongest case after starting 29 games last season and acting as Wood's replacement following the sudden injury against San Jose. Also in the mix is Anderson Julio and Joni Menendez, who have both seen very limited minutes so far this season. Mastroeni said the team will stick with two forwards, even in Wood's absence, pairing one of the previously mentioned with Sergio Cordova up top.
"We have a lot of quality going up front," Rubin said. "It's a week in, week out battle to earn a starting spot and get minutes. Unfortunately, not everyone can get minutes every weekend, so it comes down to the training and making sure that you're sharp.
"It definitely helped me a lot to go to Guatemala, get those games, score those goals and come back out here and try to earn some more minutes, continue to score goals and help this team stay at the top of the table."
Another element that might give Rubin the edge when it comes to the starting decision is his style of play. Mastroeni said he tends to play similar to Wood with his back to goal and getting other players involved, while Cordova is more of a vertical presence with his speed and size to push the back line and get on the receiving end of passes into the box.
"Rubio has really good hold-up play," Mastroeni said. "(He) naturally wants to play with his back to goal and bring guys into the game."
Rubin has yet to score a goal for RSL this season, but was on the field for both of the team's scores against San Jose, already showing chemistry with fellow attacking players Cordova, Jefferson Savarino and Justin Meram. The team and Rubin both appear ready for his insertion into the starting lineup and the increased opportunities set to come his way.
The Claret and Cobalt have another home match this week against the Columbus Crew at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday at 8 p.m. MDT.
