This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Sandy • Those around Patrick Vieira knew he was bound for a transition from the midfield to the coach's box as his storied playing career reached its twilight phase. A 17-year-old Slovakian attacking midfielder saw it up close.

Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnák came up in the Manchester City youth academy, where Vieira played out his final two years. When the French national team staple and World Cup winner finally decided to hang up his boots in 2011, the transition to coaching in Manchester City's academy began.

"He was coming into his last years, and there was that vision that he's going to become a coach, so I've had a great two years with him, learned a lot of things and heard many great stories from his great career," Rusnák said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him."

They're both now across the pond in Major League Soccer.

Rusnák is a 22-year-old Designated Player serving as a key cog in RSL's youth movement. Vieira conversely is in his second year as coach at New York City FC, a club in its third year in the league and owned by Manchester City. NYCFC finished second in the Eastern Conference in 2016 with 54 points and its first playoff berth under Vieira in Year 1.

NYCFC hasn't slowed down, either.

NYCFC carried a 5-3-2 record into Wednesday's match at RSL.

"Of course with that much experience as a player, you have a lot to give to your players," Rusnák said about Vieira. "If you look at their season so far, they're playing great. They have many wins, and they're high in the table."

Savarino makes first start at Rio Tinto

RSL's newest signing Jefferson Savarino, arguably the brightest spot in a 4-0 thumping at the New England Revolution on Saturday night, was rewarded Wednesday against NYCFC. The 20-year-old Venezuelan forward was handed his first start at RSL as the club returned to its 4-3-3 formation.

Savarino, on a season-long loan from Zulia FC in Venezuela, started opposite Joao Plata. The two forwards flanked striker Yura Movsisyan.

"[We] saw bits and pieces at the end of New England and what he's capable of — and that was just a little taste of it," RSL coach Mike Petke said Tuesday. "So moving forward, he's getting more comfortable every day."

Beckerman, Rimando return

Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando were in the RSL starting lineup for the first time in nearly a month.

The two staples have missed the last three games due to injury. Rimando left the 3-1 home loss against Atlanta United on April 22 with a hamstring injury, while Beckerman picked up a calf injury the following week in training.

"[Beckerman] needs to, along with other guys, veteran guys, put a stamp on the game physically," Petke said Tuesday.

"At this point, it's more about what you have in you to bring out there as opposed to getting a lucky break or how we're going to pass here and there. At this point, it's about rolling your sleeves up and let's go to work."

Rimando breaks another record

Rimando took ownership of another MLS record with his save in the 15th minute on NYCFC's Thomas McNamara. The 37-year-old goalkeeper now owns the all-time saves record in MLS with 1,476 career saves, breaking the record of former MLS goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

Rimando now owns the all-time MLS records in wins, shutouts, starts and minutes played.

ckamrani@sltrib.com Twitter: @chriskamrani