Kreis set for defensive decision with Schuler ruled out

Real Salt Lake has seen some of their key players succumb to injury with startling frequency, with the effect of absences felt frequently.

With Chris Schuler ruled out for Saturday's match against Vancouver Whitecaps and both Jamison Olave and Kwame Watson-Siriboe working back from injury, Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis will be forced into a defensive decision.

That decision is down to the availability of Olave, who played only the first half against Seattle and missed out on the Herediano match entirely.

"It's just a decision to be made now between Kwame and Olave," Kreis said. "Schuler's been ruled out for sure, so we'll talk with Jamison and see exactly where he's at as far as what he can offer us tomorrow night, and decide whether we need to take a more cautious approach."

Olave's season has been spotted with injury, with the powerful center back playing only 21 matches of RSL's 33 matches, in six of which he was substituted. Schuler missed most of May through September through an injury to his left foot, playing in only 13 matches with nine starts.

With Olave and Schuler both suffering injury-spotted campaigns, Kwame Watson-Siriboe's arrival at RSL helped smooth out the problems - though he, too, has taken to injury more recently.

With midfielders Ned Grabavoy described as "in consideration" and Will Johnson available despite being substituted through injury against Herediano, the midfield should be predictably strong for Real Salt Lake.

"Will looked good," Kreis said. "He had the injury that we brought him out for the other night, but it was mostly just a bruise that tightened up on him during the game. He should be available tomorrow night."

Johnson has missed eight matches for Real Salt Lake through injury and international absence, while Grabavoy has also missed eight after suffering an injury in April and, more recently, in late September.