This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Real Salt Lake sat at Salt Lake International Airport Sunday waiting to ditch snowy Salt Lake City in exchange for sunny San Diego.
The wait, the flight, the landing, all preludes to the first training session of the 2016 preseason in Oceanside, Calif., which came exactly a month away from RSL's return to the CONCACAF Champions League knockout stages.
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, RSL faces defending Mexican champ UANL Tigres in Monterrey, Mexico.
The shortest preseason in club history has begun with a two-leg series against one of the most talented soccer franchises in North America now less than a month away. Captain Kyle Beckerman said those still on the roster with Champions League experience will have to instill the severity of the moment over the next four weeks to newer, younger players.
"This is a really important game and one with so much on the line that it's a really exciting time," he said.
To properly prepare for Tigres, RSL's technical staff scheduled a friendly against Club Tijuana on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana to best try and replicate a Mexican match atmosphere both as a reminder for the vets and as an introduction to those who haven't experienced it yet.
Asked what qualities determine a successful preseason, the newly-reacquired Yura Movsisyan said scrimmages and friendlies must be taken as seriously as Leg 1 at Tigres.
"You really have to concentrate on those friendly games. because that's all you have to get ready for the season," he said." [You] can't take it as a preseason. You actually have to concentrate."
Tigers is headlined by French national team striker Andre-Pierre Gignac as well as hyped Mexican national team players like midfielders Jurgen Damm, Javier Aquino and defender Hugo Ayala. Former RSL midfielder Luis Silva signed with Tigres after his contract with MLS expired this offseason.
"Homework has already started and it's going to continue into the preseason," right back Tony Beltran said.
Midfielder Luke Mulholland said Tigres will likely be the most-talented club he's faced in his professional career.
"Whole different ball game going into another country," he said. "We got a little taste of that when we went to Guatemala and El Salvador [last year], so it's going to be that times 10 when we go to Mexico and play [Tigres]."
Morales wishes best for Jaime
RSL's Argentine contingent was whittled down last week. The club parted ways with former Designated Player Sebastian Jaime, who returned to Chile to play for Universidad Católica based in Santiago.
Midfielder Javier Morales wished the best for Jaime. The 28-year-old forward scored five goals in 26 appearances in two seasons at RSL.
"I think it was a good opportunity for him to go to a big team in Chile," Morales said. "He knows the country, he knows the soccer there and I think it's going to be great for him."
Numbers game
Jordan Allen's preferable jersey number growing up was No. 10. But in his first year at RSL in 2014, the Homegrown talent was given No. 7. He got used to it. But sometime this offseason, the 20-year-old received a call that Designated Player Burrito Martinez, signed from Boca Juniors late last summer, asked for No. 7.
Allen obliged and then went the unconventional route. He'll be No. 70 this season. He said Brazilian star Robinho wore the number during his time with AC Milan in Italy.
Also changing jersey numbers is fellow Homegrown Justen Glad, who gave No. 14 to Movsisyan. Glad is now No. 15. Forward Joao Plata assumed the No. 10 from Luis Gil, who signed with Mexican club Queretaro F.C. this offseason. Forward Olmes Garcia also changed his jersey number from No. 13 to No. 80.
Twitter: @chriskamrani