Coach Jason Kreis acknowledged being worried from time to time that a deal to sign forward Alvaro Saborio to a new contract would not work out.

Now that it has, though, he could scarcely be more pleased.

“It was really, really important” to retain the Costa Rican forward, Kreis said. “We recognized over this past year how good Alvaro can be for us, how important a player he can be for us. We certainly didn't want to lose him.”

Especially not with the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals looming in February.

RSL will play the Columbus Crew home and away in a tournament that general manager Garth Lagerwey said is “the most meaningful competition we have every been a part of.” On account of that, the team is dedicating all its resources to winning it, which Lagerwey said would “change everything” and give RSL a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup next year in Japan.

But the team just lost forward Robbie Findley in the expansion draft, and “couldn't really afford to spend the time or the money or the resources to try and go out and find new players” if the Saborio deal fell through, Kreis said.

“It's more long-term than that, as well,” he added. “It's really important for our club to keep a player like that long-term.”

Kreis said Saborio is recovering well from postseason knee surgery, and decided to stay in Salt Lake City until Dec. 10 to receive treatment while rehabilitating. Saborio also plans to return Jan. 10 — earlier than most teammates, for the same reason.

“He's making a real nice commitment to getting that knee well,” Kreis said. “We're definitely pleased with Alvaro, not just with what he gives us on the field, but what he gives us as far as his mentality and what kind of person he is. He's checking all the boxes, for sure.”