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Sandy • If Jason Kreis had his way, he wouldn't be in Dallas this weekend.
The Real Salt Lake coach has major holes to fill all over the field after seeing five of his players called up for international duty this week. It's a hard reality Kreis said he hopes Major League Soccer won't always have to contend with.
"In an ideal world, we wouldn't play on FIFA calendar dates," Kreis said Tuesday. "But I know that we don't live in an ideal world. I know it's extremely difficult to make schedules in our league, and I think [the league is] continuing to make the right decisions. I think if you ask them, they would say the same thing. ... They're faced with too many difficulties to make all the things they want to have happen happen."
Goalie Nick Rimando, midfielder Kyle Beckerman and defender Tony Beltran were called up Monday by the United States. Forward Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica) and defender Abdoulie Mansally (Gambia) also received call-ups.
The absences will certainly give Salt Lake a chance to test its depth — something RSL officials feel is a strength of the roster.
"We have no hesitation about playing the next guy, giving him his opportunity," Kreis said.
Scary situation
Defender Carlos Salcedo suffered a concussion when he was hit in the back of the head with an elbow late in the first half of Saturday's reserve match against Colorado. Salcedo has impressed coaches with his effort and skill so far this season, but he will almost certainly be unavailable this weekend.
"Carlos is a very, very scary situation," Kreis said. "The trainer described it as one of the worst concussions he's ever seen. We're going to be very cautious with him."
Back in action
RSL veteran Nat Borchers played 70 minutes in last weekend's reserve match — more than coaches planned for the defender as he works his way back from injury.
But Borchers trained fully with the team again Tuesday and could make his first appearance with the first team on Saturday.
"He played more than we would have liked," Kreis said. "But maybe now that's a good thing. Things happen for a strange reason sometimes."
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
RSL at Dallas
P Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
TV • Ch. 4