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2013 Player Profiles: Lalo Fernandez bides time as backup goalkeeper

Lalo Fernandez concedes a goal in a training session. Perhaps not the most elucidative picture, but something, nonetheless.
Lalo Fernandez concedes a goal in a training session. Perhaps not the most elucidative picture, but something, nonetheless.

Lalo Fernandez is a talented, exciting goalkeeper to watch, but if you wanted to catch him in action in 2013, your options were limited to MLS Reserve League matches and to training sessions.

He did, however, make his professional debut in 2013 after playing for RSL's USL Pro affiliate at the time, Phoenix FC, when he kept a clean sheet against Antigua Barracuda.

Somewhat notably, Fernandez did once appear in a Reserve League game as a forward for Real Salt Lake, which led to some entertaining moments.

His expected role was exactly what he did: He came into the season as RSL's fourth choice goalkeeper behind Nick Rimando, Josh Saunders and Jeff Attinella, and there was never really any chance that was going to change significantly. 2014 should see the goalkeeper pushing for minutes as a backup, and with Nick Rimando an option for the US squad in the 2014 World Cup, he may see time on the bench.

The name of the game, for now, is development: He'll have to stay patient, but with some fantastic players in front of him, he has a tremendous opportunity to learn the ins and outs to prepare for a long career.