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Sandy • Real Salt Lake will be utilizing the extreme hardship call-up rule for this weekend's match at Sporting Kansas City Saturday night.

RSL called-up defender Emilio Orozco and rookie midfielder Andrew Brody from Real Monarchs to help fill out a bench that otherwise would've been empty for a few seats. RSL coach Jeff Cassar said the decisions to take Orozco and Brody boiled down to positions of need.

"You can't just go the best player available, because it might not fit into what you need," he said. "I think they're going to mesh well with the group and they've great this week."

With available numbers severely slimmed due to various injuries and suspensions, RSL becomes the first Major League Soccer club to use the hardship rule, which allows teams to sign USL-affiliated players to a four-day-long short-term agreement.

The rule, according to the league's Player Rules and Regulations Summary, states that players 25-years-old or younger may be signed on quick loans when a club has fewer than 15 total players available for a match.

Orozco, 23, spent time with the Monarchs during their inaugural USL season in 2015. The Oxnard, Calif., native was one of five Monarchs to train extensively with RSL this week. Orozco spent time with the Tigres UANL youth clubs and spent with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers when RSL assistant Daryl Shore was the head coach there.

Orozco is expected to be provide depth at the center back position.

Brody signed with the Monarchs in January after three seasons at the University of Louisville. The RSL-Arizona academy product from Orlando, Fla., had nine goals and 15 assists in 61 career matches with the Cardinals. Brody, who started in the Monarchs' season-opening win last Saturday, also saw time with Orlando City's U-23 team.

"These guys that are coming up are capable players," RSL right back Tony Beltran said. "They want to prove themselves as well and we've seen in practice this week and last week that they can play at this level. I know they'll be ready if they get the opportunity and I think it's great also having those guys pushing us to be better every day."

Cassar said the opportunity for every club to use the extreme hardship rule is important.

"You're starting to see the benefits of the integration between the clubs," he said.

RSL left back Demar Phillips returned to the club late Wednesday night after starting back-to-back World Cup qualifiers with the Jamaican national team. Cassar expects Phillips to be available for RSL Saturday.

Forward Olmes Garcia (ankle sprain) trained fully Thursday after missing training on Wednesday.

ยป Joao Plata named MLS Player of the Month

Joao Plata's fantastic month of March has been recognized. The 24-year-old Ecuadorian striker was named MLS Player of the Month by fans on MLSSoccer.com. Plata had three goals and two assists in RSL's 1-0-2 start.

Plata is the first RSL player to win the honor since goalkeeper Nick Rimando did so in June 2010 and is just the fourth RSL player in history to earn the award joining Rimando (July 2008 & June 2010), Jeff Cunningham (Aug. 2006) and Alvaro Saborio (May 2010).

"First I want to thank the fans for voting for me. When I first came to Real Salt Lake in 2013, the fans were incredible and I want to thank them for continuing that support," Plata said in a release. "I think for me the key is training hard every day, helping my teammates and helping my team. I feel happy for that, but I don't want to stop right here. I want to keep it going."

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani