SANDY, Utah — Despite a busy week that tested some of his veteran players, Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis insisted on Friday that he will have a nearly full squad when the team takes on San Jose on Saturday (9:30 pm ET, MLS Live).
Several members of the team’s regular starting lineup logged extensive minutes in a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks in the US Open Cup on Tuesday, including 120-minute shifts for Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales and Chris Wingert.
"Everyone is feeling pretty good," Kreis said. "They looked pretty sharp today. You always kind of want as a coach to make the decisions easier, you would like them to come and tell you they're tired and they want a break, but unfortunately all these guys want to play too much. So we will have to make some tough choices."
MATCH PREVIEW: RSL host struggling Quakes
Morales may have been the most questionable of those that played 120 minutes Tuesday mainly due to him coming off preseason knee surgery and missing RSL's first four games, but he said he is ready.
"I'm feeling good," said Morales. "I'm really happy now. I was off the field for a couple months with my knee and now I'm playing every game, so I'm happy. I am healthy now and want to play every game."
So can he put in another 90 minutes of action against San Jose?
"I want to" Morales said. "We have to ask Jason about that, but I want to."
Starting center back Chris Schuler will also be available after sitting out the team's previous two games with both foot pain and a broken hand. Forward Olmes Garcia, who has been nursing an adductor strain is questionable.
One choice that will not be tough is on leading scorer Alvaro Saborio, who is still nursing a strained/torn left quad and has been ruled out against the Quakes. He’s now expected to depart Salt Lake City on Saturday to join the Costa Rican national team ahead of their World Cup qualifying matches beginning next week.
