Meet the new RSL reinforcement with European, World Cup experience

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SANDY — Real Salt Lake fans voted on Twitter that the position lacking the most depth on the team right now is the defense. If so, the timing of the latest signing's arrival in Utah could not have come at a better time.

Costa Rican national team mainstay Bryan Oviedo arrived in Salt Lake City this week and trained fully with RSL for the first time Thursday. The left back played in Europe for 12 years, most notably with English Premier League side Everton and most recently with Copenhagen, up until his signing with RSL on Aug. 4.

"I think the best part about Bryan is the kind of character he is, as a human being," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "I think to be able to have a ton of success in your career and still be humble is a rare quality these days."

Oviedo comes to RSL as one of its most experienced players at 32 years old, with only Marcelo Silva, Damir Kreilach and Justin Meram older than him on the roster. The age hasn't slowed him down, however, as Mastroeni said Oviedo looked "bright, sharp and fit" in his first training session after working out with his former club Saprissa in Costa Rica for the past two weeks.

"My only question was his fitness, but he looked really bright today," Mastroeni said about integrating Oviedo into the club. "In these sessions, where you have to think, and moving to altitude there could be a whole lot of signals that say, 'OK, maybe we wait with him,' when he was bright. (We're) really excited about where Brian's at physically, mentally, tactically, technically."

Oviedo is one of three summer signings that come at an interesting time in RSL's season. The team is currently fifth in the Western Conference with what Mastroeni called "9-point" games coming up against major conference foes. The upcoming stretch is particularly crucial and grueling, with three games in nine days all against Western Conference playoff teams, beginning with third-place Dallas on Saturday on the road.

"I think (Oviedo) comes to our group in a time where Aaron Brody (has been) logging a ton of minutes, Tate (Schmitt's) been out with injury," Mastroeni said. "So he comes at a perfect time to inject the group with some quality and some fresh legs."

Bryan Oviedo had his first training with #RSL today. Here are his early thoughts on his move to Utah and the role he'll play in helping the team win the MLS Cup, which he says is the goal. pic.twitter.com/zqCsh90ROR
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) August 25, 2022

Mastroeni said the onus is on the team and coaching staff to figure out how to integrate the new players and time the rotations to alleviate some of the heavy minutes the starters have taken on.

Oviedo kept his fitness and form up for this very purpose: to come in immediately and make an impact on the team.

"I feel good, but of course, it's a manager's decision. I tried to be as fit as possible to play," Oviedo said. "I have to wait for my opportunity and hope to do everything well in training. My role is to help the team and to try to make the team better. I am 32 years old, and I am an experienced player, so I hope to help the team in that aspect."

His experience is both wide and deep, with club experience from Costa Rica to Copenhagen, and national team experience as a starter for Costa Rica in the 2018 World Cup. The most visible stop in his career was a five-year stint at Everton, where he played alongside the likes of Romelu Lukaku from 2012-17.

Bryan Oviedo, second from right, celebrates with his Everton teammates. (Photo: Everton FC)

Mastroeni said he expects Oviedo to be the starting left back for Costa Rica in the World Cup this year in Qatar, which plays its first game on Nov. 23 against Spain in group play.

"That's important for me. I hope to play as much as I can here to make a good preparation for the World Cup. That is most important," Oviedo said. "But the most important for me (right now) is to start training and do my best, compete as soon as possible to play games, and try to help the team as much as I can."

Beyond just preparing to help his country in the World Cup, Oviedo has lofty goals for his new club, as well.

"I hope to help the team to be in the playoffs and hopefully win MLS; this is my goal here," Oviedo said. "I try to do as much as I can to help the team and do my best."

RSL kicks off against FC Dallas on Saturday at 7 p.m. MDT, and Oviedo is expected to travel with the team.