With an international friendly match smack in the middle of the busiest section of their schedule, Real Salt Lake fielded many of their reserve players in a 3-1 loss to Monarcas Morelia on Wednesday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The lone RSL goal came from Salt Lake native Adam Acosta. Acosta has been embarking on a year of changes in his first season under contract with Real Salt Lake. Not only is he getting used to the life as a professional athlete, but the natural forward is also learning life as a fullback at the professional level.
The transition came early in the season for Acosta as a series of injuries throughout the team and players absent for international duty opened up holes that needed to be filled.
"It was after the second reserve game, when we moved Kevin [Novak] up [to the first team]," said RSL head coach John Ellinger. "It was out of necessity that we needed to do it and athletically he's good.
"We were in this need for other players to play in different positions. He's got good pace. He's good in the air, very comfortable with the ball."
As for making the change from the front line to the back, Acosta doesn't mind. He's willing to do whatever it takes to get on the field.
"[Playing defense] is a chance to play, so I'm going to do it," said the Judge Memorial Catholic High School product. "Whatever chance I get, I'm going to take it. I'm enjoying it and it's another aspect I get to learn."
Ellinger is pleased with the progress that Acosta has made in the transition. It's a move he thinks is natural for some forwards.
"Adam's done well in his transition from a forward to an outside back," said Ellinger. "Offensively, coming from that position, he does well coming forward and working with the left back and making sure they're not going at the same time.
"Defensively - when to commit and when not to commit - in games like this you learn pretty fast. If you make a mistake they'll take advantage of you. His progress is very good, and we've been happy with how he's progressed in that position."
Acosta came on at halftime on Wednesday, replacing Willis Forko at left back. It was his first appearance with the first team, made extra special with friends and family in the crowd. It was the crowd that was biggest adjustment from playing in reserve matches.
"It was definitely difficult dealing with the noise," said Acosta. "The whole atmosphere is completely different from the reserve games where we get 300, maybe 400 at the most."
The crowd -- largely supporting Morelia -- made itself heard through the entirety of the match, making a slightly hostile environment for the home team.
The intensity influenced the play on the field as 36 fouls were committed by both sides, with nine yellow cards shown.
"There's no such thing as a friendly," said Ellinger. "I say it all the time. I don't know why they call them friendlies. They've got to come up with a better name; we'll have to think of one. I figured there would be a lot of yellows - luckily there weren't any reds."
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
