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Sandy • Just when Real Salt Lake's decision makers thought they found their answer at center back, another question mark has popped up.
Defender Aaron Maund was sidelined Saturday night for a second straight game with an unspecified injury to his right foot and he could miss an extended period of time.
"Aaron's probably been … the most consistent center back that we've had for the last year and a half. He's such good kid. He's made incredible strides from a couple years ago," defender Chris Wingert said. "It kills me to see that happen. But at the same time, he'll be back and stronger than ever. I know he'll be itching to get back. I hope he heals up soon."
Adding a new center back was high on Real Salt Lake general manager Craig Waibel's to-do list entering this season. But over the course of this season, Waibel has said, the play of Maund and Justen Glad had helped change that plan.
Maund had played in 20 of RSL's games before the injury, which occurred during a practice on Aug. 10. RSL coach Jeff Cassar said Maund has been seeking multiple opinions on his foot from doctors before determining his path for rehabbing the injury.
"It's never ideal to lose a guy of his ability," Wingert said.
But Maund's coach and teammates have been impressed by the recent form of 34-year-old center back Jamison Olave. And the addition of Chris Schuler, a talented but oft-injured defender, to the RSL mix once again offers another ray of hope.
"Having Chris Schuler back puts a smile on my face and everyone else's too," Wingert said. "When he's healthy, he's one of the best defenders in the league. He's shown that over the years. So hopefully he can get back to 100-percent fitness and be sharp for when we need him."
First glimpse
Striker Pedro Baez played about 10 minutes this week for the Real Monarchs, making his debut for RSL's minor league club. It was apparently enough for the new forward to crack the team's 18-man roster Saturday.
Baez, 19, was acquired last month on a six-month loan deal that would give RSL the chance to purchase the young Paraguayan forward.
"Anytime with young strikers, you come in and the first couple weeks it's going to be tough before he gets his feet," forward Yura Movsisyan said. "… Hopefully he'll have a chance to show himself and prove himself and get in and help the team out."
"He's good around the goal," Wingert added, assessing the new player. "He's finished a bunch of goals in practice already. He's already getting along with the guys. We're excited to have him."
On the move
Former Real Salt Lake defender Carlos Salcedo is reportedly on the move to Italy to join Fiorentina. Univision Deportes reported Saturday that the Italian club had reportedly agreed to a $7 million transfer fee to acquired Salcedo from Chivas. If that number is accurate, RSL would receive about $300,000 in allocation money as part of the deal it struck to move Salcedo to Mexico in 2015.
Injury report
Midfielders Sunday Stephen (orbital fracture) and Jordan Allen (hamstring) are expected to return to training fully with the team early next week, Cassar said. Allen has been sidelined since late July and Sunday Stephen has been out since late June.
Twitter: @aaronfalk