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Sandy • Nearly a month after Real Salt Lake announced the acquisition of striker Pedro Baez, the young Paraguayan is finally ready to give fans a taste of his game.
Baez, 19, arrived in Utah this week and was expected to play about 30 minutes for RSL's lower-league affiliate, the Real Monarchs, on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Now, with Baez here on a six-month loan — one that gives RSL officials the choice to purchase the forward's contract — coach Jeff Cassar says the club isn't putting pressure or expectations on Baez just yet.
"The jury's still out," Cassar said Wednesday, when asked if Baez could see time with the first team this season. "Obviously, just getting him here was the most important thing, getting him used to this different environment. But I love his frame. In watching the Monarchs train, you can really see he's got a good soccer IQ. It's going to take some time. It's going to take a lot of work by him, but we'll see."
Baez had trained twice with the Monarchs before Wednesday. After Baez makes his debut with the Monarchs, Cassar said, the player would begin training full time with the first team.
RSL acquired Baez from the Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño, but his arrival in Salt Lake was delayed until the player could get his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Officials in Salt Lake had been monitoring Baez since head scout Andy Williams saw him score a goal for Paraguay's Under-20 national team during a tournament in France earlier this year.
Cassar said the Paraguayan had been struggling to adjust to the higher altitude of Utah as he worked back into fitness. But the 6-foot-2 teenager has already offered an intriguing mix of skill and attributes.
"He's slight but he's strong," Cassar said. "He's quick. He's not blazing fast, but he's quick. For a big boy, he's got nice touch on the ball. A couple times in the Monarch training session, you could see he's getting his head up and looking for players."
"He's got promise," Cassar added. "We're going to bring him in here and see what he can do for us."
Injury report
Center back Aaron Maund's status remains a question mark as the team continues to get opinions from doctors on an undisclosed foot injury. "In the next two days, we'll have a much clearer picture," Cassar said Wednesday.
Midfielder Jordan Allen also remains questionable to play. The 20-year-old did fitness work but did not train with his teammates Wednesday as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
FC Dallas at RSL
P Saturday, 8 p.m.
TV • KMYU