Kreilach continues his return to form in 2-2 preseason draw

SALT LAKE CITY — Real Salt Lake is expecting a lot from its captain Damir Kreilach less than a season removed from a major back surgery that kept him sidelined for most of the year.

Head coach Pablo Mastroeni told media on Monday that a player in Kreilach's position — the 10, or attacking midfielder — needs to put up 10 goals and 10 assists in a season to be deemed effective and worthwhile.

Kreilach proved this faith was not misplaced with a goal and an assist in a 2-2 preseason draw against Sporting Kansas City Wednesday in Arizona as his return to form continues.

The 33-year-old Croatian started for the second-straight preseason game against Kansas City after putting in 30 minutes two weeks ago against LAFC. RSL went down 1-0 early but Kreilach brought them level again and showed his quality with a goal in the 21st minute on an assist from Anderson Julio.

Then, just before halftime, Kreilach assisted Bryan Oviedo on RSL's second goal, fulfilling the daunting dual expectations set by Mastroeni for his position.

"We played four or five intrasquad scrimmages but it's always better to have some opponent. And because of that, we are so happy," Kreilach said before leaving Utah for Arizona. "There are three weeks till the first game of the season and we are very excited. We are looking forward to a great season."

RSL has plans to play three more preseason games in Arizona before returning to Utah on Feb. 18 ahead of the season opener on Feb. 25 in Vancouver.

The team has spent much of the preseason focusing on finishing scoring opportunities and offense, in general, after struggling to score on several occasions in 2022. Leading goal scorer Sergio Cordova is gone, leading to questions where the much-needed goals will come from in 2023.

"That's a great question," Mastroeni said Monday. "I think Dami is gonna have to carry that load. I think Rubio (Rubin) is gonna have to carry that load, and I think Anderson is gonna have to carry that load. It's Dami getting into that mindset where he's going to be a goal scorer for us."

In addition to those three, Mastroeni mentioned the team still has the option to bring in another player that can score, likely at the No. 9, or striker position.

RSL has already made two big splashes in the offseason transfer window, bringing in winger Carlos Andres Gomez for a record $3.5 million, and reports of defender Brayan Vera joining the team, as well.

The front office technically has until the end of April to get any deals done, but general manager Elliot Fall said "the sooner the better" when asked about any additional transfer moves the team is looking to make.

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