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Sandy • Luke Mulholland understands that when it comes to replacing Javier Morales, there is no replacing Javier Morales. There's occupying the position Morales plays, the all-important role of a dissecting midfielder asked to pry open up defenses with deft touches and artful passes.
"Javier plays that position so well, but I can't play it the same way that Javier plays it," Mulholland said.
For the third straight game, the 27-year-old English midfielder has been planted in the attacking role of RSL's three-man midfield. Morales' injury-plagued start to 2016 continued this week as the 36-year-old is dealing with an illness that kept him sidelined for the last three days of training.
Mulholland came to RSL in 2014 as a box-to-box midfielder during his days in the NASL with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and quickly transitioned to a shuttling role in RSL's old diamond formation. A year ago, he was planted next to captain Kyle Beckerman in the 4-3-3 look behind Morales. While Mulholland played more of an attacking role during his NASL days, it was less as a creative No. 10.
"It's definitely not the same," he said. "Last year, I got used to playing defensive mid, so now I'm on the flip side of that."
In his first game in Morales' spot, Mulholland scored what proved to be the game-winner at Sporting Kansas City on April 2. Mulholland said he's getting more accustomed to staying in certain zones in the midfield to be an outlet for his fellow midfielders and playing off the outside backs to set up scoring chances for the wide strikers.
No matter his position, Mulholland's stat line in his three years at RSL is notable. His goal at Kansas City was his 10th in 64 appearances as a deep-lying midfielder.
"You know me," he said. "I'm just happy to be on the field. No complaints. Team player."
Holness returns to training
Three weeks after suffering an on-field seizure in his professional debut, RSL rookie Omar Holness returned to training this week. The 22-year-old Jamaican midfielder was cleared for non-contact drills.
Holness suffered a separated shoulder during the seizure on March 26. He remains in the middle of the healing process to determine whether or not he'll need surgery. RSL coach Jeff Cassar said Holness luckily did not suffer a torn rotator cuff.
What exactly caused the seizure remains unclear. RSL head athletic trainer Tyson Pace said the neurological tests Holness has undergone so far have yet to produce a clearcut answer.
"I still think we're a ways away from saying he'd be available or anything like that," Cassar said.
Phillips starts at left back
Demar Phillips returned to the RSL starting lineup Saturday against the Whitecaps for the first time since the 2016 season opener. The 32-year-old Jamaican lost his starting spot to Chris Wingert the previous four matches after his first-half red card at Orlando City on March 6.
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