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Sandy • Yura Movsisyan took to social media late Tuesday to pen a public thanks to the coach he says played a massive role in his returning to Real Salt Lake in 2016.

And the 29-year-old RSL forward spoke bluntly about the firing of former coach Jeff Cassar after a lengthy training session Wednesday afternoon.

"This is the dark side of our sport, this is the dark side of our business," Movsisyan said, "and he paid for our results, and it's definitely tough."

Movsisyan, who returned to RSL in January 2016 after spending the previous seven seasons overseas in Europe and Asia, said the sudden change has been difficult to process for him. He's already wrestled with several what-if scenarios. A chance finished in front of goal might've changed the complexion of the still-young 2017 season.

"You just feel bad because you're on the field and he paid for his job with our results," Movsisyan said. "I think that every single player should step up and wake up and start getting the results because it's all these little mistakes we're doing. It's all the goals I'm not scoring, chances I'm not putting away, simple mistakes we're making that coaches are paying for it. It sucks."

RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen and general manager Craig Waibel made what was described as a "cumulative" decision Monday to fire Cassar after the longtime RSL assistant took over as coach in December 2013. The club went to the postseason in two out of the three years Cassar was at the helm but struggled mightily at the end of 2016 and the 0-2-1 start featuring just one goal wasn't enough.

"We're at a time where we're starting to pay for our mistakes and today is a coach and tomorrow if you don't show up and play, it'll be you on the line," Movsisyan said. "It's simple as that. It's tough for me, you know, a bit emotional. Now it's our turn to wake up and play. If not, then players have to pay for their jobs, too."

Kreis sounds off on Cassar's firing

Former RSL coach Jason Kreis made his feelings known regarding Cassar's dismissal during a radio stint Wednesday morning on 96.9 The Game in Orlando, Fla. Cassar took over for Kreis after he left for New York City FC over three years ago. The 44-year-old Kreis was fired at NYCFC in November 2015 but took over at Orlando City last July.

"Jeff is a dear friend of mine, and I have to tell you that I think any coach getting fired three games into a season is absolutely absurd," Kreis said "It's way too quick. You have to give the coach a right amount of time to show sort of the path that he's on and the path that he's creating for the players. And for me, that's way too quick."

New No. 2 gets shot at No. 1

It's been four months since Matt Van Oekel toed the line between the posts in an official match. With Nick Rimando on U.S. men's national team duty, the new RSL No. 2 goalkeeper likely will get his shot at making his MLS debut Saturday at New York Red Bulls.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper was signed this offseason to replace Jeff Attinella, the long-time backup to Rimando, after Attinella was selected in the MLS Expansion Draft. Van Oekel's last match came last November when starting for FC Edmonton in a NASL semifinal match.

"It's definitely a big challenge," he said. "It's why they brought me here because they knew Nick was going to be with the national team, hopefully starting this week, so I'm here to help the team get three points and do whatever I can."

ckamrani@sltrib.com Twitter: @chriskamrani