Sandoval adds to rotation for Cassar as RSL preps for second of 3 games in 8 days


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SANDY — Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar said the squad’s 2-0 win over New York City FC last Saturday was the most complete 90 minutes he’s seen his team play all season.

But there was one player who stood out, and not only in that game. For several weeks, one of the quietest players on the team has played arguably the biggest role.

With a goal and two assists in the past three games, Devon Sandoval is becoming one of the leading producers as RSL (4-3-5) heads to Los Angeles for a matchup with the L.A. Galaxy (4-4-5) Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. MT.

The University of New Mexico alum provided a simple answer for his recent run of form.

“I’m just trying to play good soccer,” he said. “I weigh a little more than I did last year, but maybe leaner.”

Cassar added that Sandoval’s success heading into the second game of a three-game, eight-day stretch really started during the offseason when Sandoval implemented a new diet and started getting into Pilates.

“I think he’s in rhythm,” Cassar said. “He had a great offseason, worked really hard on his diet, and I think Pilates are helping his body out. Whenever your body feels good and you are confident, you are going to play well.”

RSL has also benefitted from Sandoval’s partnership with leading scorer Alvaro Saborio. Though the duo play similar styles as traditional center forwards, there’s little doubt that the partnership has provided a spark.

Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio (15) and New York City FC defender Chris Wingert (17) compete in MLS action in Sandy Saturday, May 23, 2015. Real won 2-0. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio (15) and New York City FC defender Chris Wingert (17) compete in MLS action in Sandy Saturday, May 23, 2015. Real won 2-0. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

“I think we have a good understanding,” Sandoval said. “We have good chemistry going on right now, and we just have to keep building on that. I think we are both pretty similar; really good at holding the ball up, and he’s good at getting into dangerous spots. I think we are working well off each other.”

Sandoval’s emergence next to Saborio has also allowed the Costa Rican striker, who is RSL’s all-time leading goal scorer, to shift to an off-striker role, popping up in different places in the attacking third and freeing him up to do more, a benefit for Cassar and company.

RSL will draw on both players — as well as the rest of the 28-man roster — as it settles through a rotation to get through the next four days.

“We’re going to have to have a rotation of players to stay as fresh as possible,” Cassar said. “We’ll look to have some different players in different games, and we’re still trying to maximize it. The aim is three points, so we need to put our two teams together that will be capable.”

The rotation could get a boost as RSL begins to work recovering forward Joao Plata into the mix. Plata made his season debut last Saturday’s win after suffering a fifth metatarsal fracture on the opening day of training.

But Cassar stressed Plata’s work will be as a rotation player as the Ecuadorian striker gets back to full fitness. And for midfielder Javier Morales, who has suffered through prolonged injuries a few times himself, that isn’t such a bad thing.

“He has to be smart,” Morales said of Plata. “He can’t play right away, but (he has to) be smart and go slowly to get fit as soon as possible but no rush.”

Morales hopes the win over former club boss Jason Kreis and NYCFC lights a spark and Salt Lake can get on a run, a sympathy his coach also surmised.

“In this league, streaks are what make you jump in the table,” Cassar said. “If you can put together three wins, you can make a big jump in the standings. Going on the road, we have to be smart. We can’t open up ourselves too early and then chase the game. But it doesn’t want to be won in the first half.”

To go on such a run, RSL will need goals — something Sandoval can provide, helping the attacking to five goals in three games immediately following a 510-minute scoreless streak.

“It happens sometimes,” Sandoval said. “We were a little unlucky, and now the past few games it’s starting to come together.”

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