This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Chris Schuler's latest point of evaluation came on a steaming artificial surface less than 25 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. In near-90-degree temperatures accompanied by humidity levels of the same number last weekend, the 6-foot-4 center back checked in with the sideline around the 60th minute.
The plan wasn't to push Schuler to the 90-minute maximum, but when the 60th minute rolled around, Real Monarchs coach Freddy Juarez and Schuler locked eyes. Schuler shot a thumbs up to Juarez. The Monarchs had just conceded an equalizer to Rio Grande Valley FC two minutes earlier, but Schuler wanted to push on.
Soon after, as the former Real Salt Lake center back explains it, "the game kind of went to s—-." In all, 10 cards were handed out, including two red cards to the Monarchs over the next 15 minutes. Schuler would have to go 90 minutes, spearheading the defense of a team down to just nine men in deep south Texas.
"Sometimes you just need a person that's done it," Juarez said. "[His presence] just carries a little more weight."
The Monarchs survived their test. As did Schuler. The 28-year-old has been dealt setback after setback in his often stellar but injury-plagued professional career.
Those 90-plus minutes in Edinburg, Texas, were a step forward for the veteran still eager to get back to RSL and Major League Soccer. Schuler's last 90-minute outing came 10 months ago, when he helped RSL top the L.A. Galaxy in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals in June 2015.
But recurring foot problems quickly resurfaced. After returning for just two matches following a four-month recovery from meniscus surgery, he suffered a fractured navicular bone in his left foot. The season was over in a flash.
Months of uncertainty followed. Schuler's deal at RSL expired at the end of the season, he wasn't picked up in the MLS Re-Entry Draft and he waited for yet another foot injury to heal.
"It's part of the business," he said. "You can't have the good without the bad sometimes, right?"
Schuler eventually chose to stay in Utah and sign with the Monarchs in late March. He saw his path back to MLS through the club that drafted him in 2010. Salt Lake City is "my city," he says. Now, he's the oldest player on RSL's USL affiliate. And Juarez has seen the stamp Schuler's made early on.
"You see a guy that's been a veteran carrying bottles and water jugs in practice," Juarez said. "Those little things carry a lot of weight. It shows everyone: You have no choice but to listen to his knowledge, because he's been there and done that."
Following a 90-minute training session this week, Schuler made timed sprints. Afterward, he laid on the turf field at Rowland Hall, stretching and explaining what still motivates him through the various misfortunes he's endured on the pitch.
"I've got goals, man," Schuler said.
The obvious first is getting fit and healthy and staying that way. No easy task considering his history. He admitted that it's taken longer than he initially expected to get back to the optimum fitness and ability on the field. Schuler's body needs to become reacquainted with the workload of training every day and going 90 minutes on a weekly basis.
"We'll build his minutes up and hopefully — we as an organization — get him back to where he was before all his injuries," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said.
Which could mean a return to the first team if Schuler can solve the riddle of staying healthy. If he can, a return to RSL is likely in the cards.
"That's definitely a goal of mine, but again, it starts here with the Monarchs," he said. "There's some things that have to be in place before I'm able to step on the field with RSL. [I have to] concentrate on those things, so I can accomplish the next step, which is getting back on the field with RSL."
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
About Chris Schuler
Age • 28
Position • Center back
Hometown • Aurora, Ill.
Pro career • Real Salt Lake (2010-2015, Real Monarchs (2016-present)
Transaction • Drafted by RSL 39th overall in third round of 2010 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 14, 2010
Games played • 80 regular-season games, 72 regular-season starts —
Schuler's injury history
2010 • Broke a bone in his right foot in a training session on Sept. 29 in Toronto. He played in one league match his rookie season.
2011 • Stayed healthy, playing in 20 league matches, including 16 starts at center back.
2012 • Suffered a stress fracture in his left foot on May 12. Missed 31/2 months. Played in 13 league matches, while starting just nine.
2013 • Missed four months in the middle of the season due a stress fracture in his right foot. Started 16 matches, scored the series-clincher in 2-0 win over L.A. in 2013 Western Conference semifinals.
2014 • Started a career high 25 league matches, had three goals and one assist in over 2,150 minutes played. Suffered several facial fractures in collision with former teammate Nat Borchers on Oct. 5.
2015 • Started first four games of the season before suffering meniscus tear in warm-ups prior to April 18 match against Vancouver. Missed three months before returning on July 11. —
Orange County Blues at Real Monarchs
P At Ute Soccer Field
Saturday, 7 p.m.