This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Just when it appeared Real Salt Lake would be in top form this weekend, the team learned two of its top players will sit out for a while.
Injured defender Jamison Olave and suspended forward Alvaro Saborio will miss Saturday's game against the Columbus Crew. The game, one of only a handful RSL will play at home, represents an important opportunity to get some points in a backloaded road schedule.
So far, the team is playing it cool — despite the late-breaking news that two of its best players will be scratched against Columbus, which is now tied for the Eastern Conference lead.
"Looking at this stretch of the season, we've known that we would need to pick up three points in all our home games," coach Jason Kreis said. "It's so, so important as we get closer to the playoffs to win at home, even if we are missing players."
The team was preparing to play with Saborio before receiving word from Major League Soccer early Friday afternoon that he would be suspended and fined $1,000 for his embellishment of a foul last week against San Jose. It marked the first time the MLS has issued a suspension for a dive.
The dive in the 61st minute drew a penalty kick and sent Earthquakes defender Bobby Burling out with a red card. RSL went on to win the game 4-0, and Saborio scored twice. The play drew venom from San Jose — particularly goalkeeper Jon Busch, who vented his frustration by gesturing with his middle finger. He was fined $500.
The league issued a statement Friday suggesting it will step up enforcement of future dives. It was at once encouraging and frustrating to Kreis, who had called for greater discipline for such flops after D.C. United's Charlie Davies drew a penalty kick against RSL on June 18. Davies was fined $1,000 but wasn't suspended.
"On the one hand, I think that aspect of the game should be eradicated from our league, and it seems that they're trying to do that," Kreis said. "I do feel that, maybe in this case, Saborio is being made into a bit of an example. If they start handing down this punishment as the minimum for every case, I'll be fine with that."
It's a rough time to lose Saborio: He's scored five goals in his past five games and has been key in an offensive renaissance for RSL in the past few weeks. Fabian Espindola will still make a start at the other forward position, and 17-year-old Luis Gil or Haitian Jean Alexandre should fill in Saturday. Both saw time when Saborio was playing for the Costa Rican national team.
"It's certainly not ideal to lose one of your guys the day before a game, but I also think the guys we do have available could fill in capably," Kreis said. "Because we've played without Sabo at times this season, we're not really inexperienced in this position."
Olave, the team's hulking presence on the back line, sprained the MCL in his left knee Wednesday night at the MLS All-Star Game in New York.
Team doctors confirmed the injury with an MRI on Friday, and Olave should be out for at least two games. Chris Schuler, a 6-foot-4 defender who has started six times this year, will step into the center back position alongside Nat Borchers.
"When [Olave] went down, I was thinking it's going to be a tough couple weeks," Borchers said. "Chris is going to have to step it up. He's come a long way since he was a rookie, and I think he'll do fine."
The Crew are facing a mountain of injuries themselves: Forward Emilio Renteria and starting goalkeeper William Hesmer are both staying home, while forwards Andres Mendoza and Jeff Cunningham are both battling nagging injuries.
RSL realizes it could be an opportune time to claim revenge for a 2-1 loss in Columbus last month. But it isn't taking them lightly, being a bit depleted itself and having faced them three times already this season.
"No one said they're not a good team — they're a handful," goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. "They're a great team. They have a hardworking defense and great forwards. We'll have to play well to get those three points."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Columbus Crew at RSL
P At Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
Kickoff • 7 p.m.
TV • KMYU 2.2 / Comcast 22 / Dish 12
Radio • 700 AM, 1600 AM, 106.1 FM
Records • RSL 9-3-6; Columbus 8-6-7
All-time series • Columbus leads, 7-4-1
Last meeting • Columbus, 2-1 (June 8)
About RSL • The team is on a seven-game unbeaten streak in MLS play and hasn't lost at home since May. … On an offensive tear with 12 goals in the past four games but will be without forward Alvaro Saborio this weekend after a suspension. … GK Nick Rimando sports one of the league's best goals-against averages at 0.71 goals per game and has shutouts in his past two games. … The team has collected a 1-1-1 record against Columbus this season but beat them 4-0 in the last Rio Tinto contest on March 1.
About Columbus • The Crew beat the Portland Timbers last week 1-0 but have only scored two goals in the past five games. … Injuries to forwards Andres Mendoza, Emilio Renteria and Jeff Cunningham have hampered the offense in the past few weeks. … Cunningham, a former RSL player, is tied for the lead with 133 goals for all-time leading MLS scorer, and he needs one more to stand alone. … Chad Marshall, a 6-foot-4 defender, is among the league's most dangerous set-piece players and has a knack for connecting on headers.