This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • One of the undoubted perks can also be a thorn in the side. As Real Salt Lake has continually built upon the foundation of its initial successes born seven seasons ago, a common theme each season is saying au revoir — albeit briefly — to some of its most talented and crucial players.
Major League Soccer does not take a break from play when FIFA's international calendar opens once more, as national teams from around the world gather rosters, picking off players from leagues all over the world for various friendlies and qualifying tournaments.
It's not a new development. It's evolved from a small hindrance to a hot-button issue around the league.
As noted by RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey, the final say is not up to the clubs worldwide. Per FIFA protocol, the whole concept is that clubs must abide official international dates and call-ups.
Of utmost importance, Lagerwey says, is cultivating relationships with players and variable international federations each season. As he puts it: "Whatever short-term pain, the long-term gain is more beneficial."
Clubs in MLS are still vying for postseason spots. RSL can itself clinch its seventh straight MLS Cup playoff appearance this week. As noted by ESPN soccer columnist Doug McIntyre, 43 MLS players will be on international duty this weekend, with four weeks remaining on the regular-season calendar.
"Without question, the later you get in the season, the more troubling these things are," Lagerwey said. "But with every club in the world, you have conflict with releasing players to international duty."
RSL will be without all-time leading scorer Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica), 2014 leading scorer Joao Plata (Ecuador), MLS' all-time shutout king, Nick Rimando, and talented youngster Luis Gil, the latter two both off with the United States men's national team. Those four are part of the 43 MLS players tasked to make an impression on the international scale and scurry back as soon as possible to help their clubs.
"MLS isn't on the FIFA schedule, so I don't know," RSL midfielder Ned Grabavoy said. "I think the rest of the world probably is, and we're not. So I don't know if we can get mad at FIFA about it. … I think it's a little bit selfish and narrow-minded to think these players should just stay, because there is other things [going on] and national team [play] is obviously an important thing."
The league has yet to figure out how to best accommodate its eight-month season and the various international dates that come with playing from March through at least late November. It's been a tricky year, after all. The 2014 World Cup took place over the summer, leaving Rimando, Saborio and Kyle Beckerman away for an extended period of time.
Now minus Saborio, Plata, Rimando and Gil for at least a week — throw in injuries to Chris Schuler and the yellow-card suspension to Javier Morales — and RSL is severely understaffed. So much so that defender Carlos Salcedo was released from the Mexican U-21 camp to play this weekend against the San Jose Earthquakes. Both Lagerwey and coach Jeff Cassar expressed thanks to the Mexican Football Federation for their cooperation, furthering the notion that every player deserves a say.
"It's just kind of something we've been dealing with for a while," defender Nat Borchers said. "Everyone kind of gets on their soapbox every now and then, but it is what is is, and you just have to deal with the cards you're dealt."
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
San Jose at RSL
O Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
TV • CW30