Injury-stricken Salt Lake could find play tough without Javier Morales

It is safe to say that the injury bug has reached Real Salt Lake, who have had many injuries over the season with only playing six games, and it could impact them going forward.

Joao Plato has a broken foot, Chris Schuler has a injured right meniscus, and Javier Morales has a left hamstring injury.
It's not even just the injury bug that has Real Salt Lake losing players as Sensation Saucedo and Jamison Olave have to face their 1 game suspensions for red cards. Also Luis Gil, Jordan Allen, and Justen Glad are on international duty.

However, the person that will probably be missed the most is Javier Morales as he probably will sit this one out. Make no argument about it that Morales has brought great veteran leadership going into his ninth season with this Real Salt Lake team helping young players like Jordan Allen and Olmes Garcia.

He has even been playing well in a new system. Also he has been brilliant creating chances to score with his playmaking as he has had 2 out of 6 goals Real Salt Lake has scored this season and 3 assists in just 6 games. It can even be argued that he has been Real Salt Lake's most valuable player so far.

Chris Schuler, however, will be out long term as he will be out approximately 4-6 weeks after having successful meniscectomy surgery in his right knee. In a statement about Schuler's surgery, Dr. Andrew Cooper, team doctor, said, "He and I have worked through injuries over the years. He's tough, and I think he'll fight through this and do very well and be playing fairly soon". With Real Salt Lake having one of the better defenses in the MLS, it could be a blow to that defense.

Another long term injury Real Salt Lake has is a fractured fifth metatarsal for Joao Plato, which will sideline him for 3-4 months.

New England Revolution have not lost in five straight games so this will be a tough one especially with all the missed players. However, this would be a huge rebound from losing to the Vancouver Whitecaps last week 1-0. When looking at the standings Real Salt Lake is just outside of the fourth seed and a win could even take them as far as second place in the west. Make sure to watch and see how these absences makes an impact on Real Salt Lake's game today.