Chris Schuler set for 4-6 week absence following surgery

Chris Schuler is set for a four-to-six week absence after undergoing a meniscectomy earlier today, according to a report from Salt Lake Tribune reporter Chris Kamrani.

Schuler, 27, apparently had an injury of some sort during the pre-game warmup on Saturday before facing Vancouver Whitecaps. He was withdrawn only minutes before the match started, with Elias Vasquez taking his place.

While Vasquez is basically now a lock to start in the next match, Jamison Olave's red-card absence means that RSL will be calling one of Aaron Maund and Phanuel Kavita into action.

In an interview earlier today on ESPN 700, RSL technical director Craig Waibel said that Aaron Maund probably holds the upper hand on that decision.

"I can't commit either way (...) but I think Aaron would certainly hold the upper hand with everything we know about his experience," RSL technical director Craig Waibel said in an interview on ESPN 700 earlier today.

Justen Glad, another option in central defense, will be unavailable, as he'll be with the U.S. under-18 side. Kavita almost certainly has more playing time this season, having played more with Real Monarchs than Maund this season. Neither has made a first-team appearance in 2015.