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Real Salt Lake underwent their first preseason match today, losing 2-0 to a U-20 Denmark side in Casa Grande, Ariz., in a match that included an own goal by Yordany Alvarez and a penalty kick conceded by David Viana.
Unsurprisingly, the match featured contributions from swathes of Real Salt Lake's squad; it also featured two trialists with MLS experience. Peri Marosevic, a 23-year-old striker born in Yugoslavia and raised in America, played the first 45 minutes. Khari Stephenson, a 32-year-old midfielder from Jamaica that's spent some quality time in MLS, played the second 45.
Marosevic played college soccer at the University of Michigan and was a first-round draft pick — fifth overall — by FC Dallas. While there, he went on loan to Austin Aztex, and in mid-2011 was released. From there, Toronto FC picked him up, but he declined a contract offer to remain at the club in 2012. In October 2012, he moved to the Croatian second division, but is now on trial at Real Salt Lake.
Khari Stephenson is a more known quantity; a 32-year-old Jamaican midfielder, Stephenson was drafted into MLS by Chicago Fire; he's played for two clubs in Sweden and one in Norway, and most recently featured for San Jose Earthquakes. He saw time on the pitch at the number 10 playmaker spot today.
RSL Communications confirmed that Marosevic will not be coming back for the club's next preseason session in Irvine, Calif., while Stephenson will continue with the club in preseason.
Supplemental draft pick Brock Granger saw time at right back, playing the first half of the match. Academy prospects Benji Lopez and Jordan Allen played the first and second halves, respectively.
An updated roster from the club today also confirmed that Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Weber is still on trial with the club. Brock Granger and Devon Sandoval both remain unsigned, while supplemental draft pick Max Wasserman is not involved at the current time. Joao Plata rumors remain unconfirmed.
Several 2013 squad numbers were confirmed as well; below are roster-listed squad numbers of incoming players for the 2013 campaign — or, in the case of David Viana, a changed squad number from 2012.
- 4, Aaron Maund
- 7, Lovel Palmer
- 10, Robbie Findley
- 12, Cole Grossman
- 16, Carlos Salcedo
- 22, David Viana (formerly 25)
- 24, Jeff Attinella
- 27, John Stertzer