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Once the starting lineup for Real Salt Lake's preseason match against the New England Revolution was revealed Wednesday night, it was "Sunny" Stephen Obayan once again slotted in alongside captain Kyle Beckerman in the RSL midfield, not incumbent Luke Mulholland.

The 27-year-old Nigerian defensive midfielder signed by RSL last month could see more time this preseason and possibly start next Wednesday's CONCACAF Champions League match at Tigres in Mexico. RSL coach Jeff Cassar told the Tribune Thursday that Mulholland picked up a quadriceps injury last week and has been out of training the last five days.

Cassar said Mulholland is questionable for Leg 1 at Tigres next week and won't play against the Columbus Crew in RSL's final preseason match in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday night at 5:30.

"Every day he's doing a little bit more, but he hasn't been with the players out on the field," Cassar said.

Which opens the door for Sunny, who joined RSL in Tucson during the second leg of its preseason tour in preparation for Champions League. In the start against the Revolution, he went 52 minutes before being subbed off for Justen Glad once RSL was reduced to 10 men. Sunny subbed on to replace Danilo Acosta in the 32nd minute in RSL's 1-0 win over Korean club Seongnam FC on Feb. 14, going the final 58 minutes in search of better fitness.

Three days prior, he started against the Portland Timbers and went 60 minutes before being replaced by Mulholland.

"I want him to showcase what his strengths are, which is covering a lot of ground, putting himself in good positions and breaking up plays," Cassar said. "He's shown that this preseason. Still need to work on his fitness after joining us a little bit late. Things are pointing in the right direction, for sure."

Sunny's signing was initially portrayed by general manager Craig Waibel as challenging "the status quo" in the RSL midfield. Mulholland started 27 matches a year ago, primarily alongside Beckerman in the holding roles in the 4-3-3. Now with Mulholland nursing a preseason injury, RSL fans might get an earlier look at Sunny than previously thought.

"We're trying to get Sunny acclimated to the team as quickly as possible," Cassar said. "He brings a physical presence into that midfield position. Now, it's really fine-tuning his game that he's used to into the game of the MLS. He likes to play very physical, but he's going to have to quickly learn to adapt to the fouls called in the MLS. I have no doubt that he can do that."

Beltran rooting for Mansally in Houston

Reached by phone Thursday, RSL right back Tony Beltran said it was an emotional goodbye to longtime teammate Abdoulie Mansally. The Gambian international was dealt to the Houston Dynamo for a third-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

"He's so genuine," Beltran said. "He's one of the guys that would come in every day smiling. He had such a happy demeanor. He really brought that joy to the locker room."

The Dynamo and Mansally visit Rio Tinto Stadium on April 30, so Beltran will be seeing RSL's old left back in just two months.

"Hopefully this situation with him going to Houston will be a good opportunity for him," Beltran said. "I think they're really excited about having him and they should: He's a really good player and a good man. I'll definitely miss seeing Abdoulie every day. That's going to be tough."

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani