Real Salt Lake: Friendlies a time for player development

LEHI — When Real Salt Lake takes on UANL Tigres of the Mexican First Division tonight at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the score is not truly what matters to the host team.

If RSL has shown anything in its previous international friendlies (4-4-2), it is that player development is more important than winning. Certainly, the club would like to play well in front of its home crowd, and the normal starting 11 can use it to stay sharp, but it is a chance for some of the younger reserve players to get their feet wet on a big stage.

"It gives some of the young guys and reserve players a chance to get out there and show what they can do. To be able to play at a high level," said Dustin Kirby, a second-year player that was a 4th-round draft pick in the 2007 MLS supplemental draft. "I'm used to coming from those Sunday morning games, reserve games where there really aren't a lot of people, so it will be great playing out in front of 15,000 people in that type of atmosphere."

Game experience is at a premium for some of the players on the 28-man roster. The reserve squad for RSL has played only five matches so far this season — they are 3-1-1 and in second place in the Western Conference — so time on the actual pitch is a reward for many long hours training.

"It is not as fun," added Kirby of not having the opportunity to play in meaningful games. "You train for the games, so when you aren't getting in more than once a month, it is a little frustrating. It takes a toll on you mentally. It is tough to hang in there every day, but that is the job."

For MLS rookie David Horst, there are many things that are advantageous to Real playing its game against Tigres. First, he should get plenty of time.

"We expect David to start and to play all 90 minutes for us," said coach Jason Kreis.

Along with working on his game, Horst can adjust to playing in a different environment.

"Every game I have gone out there I try to get better at some area," Horst said. "Whether it is my conditioning or my ball playing. I just want to improve in some aspect of the game.

"It is a completely different atmosphere," Horst continued. "It makes it even better, gets the adrenaline flowing. It may be my last chance at Rice-Eccles. I'm looking forward to closing that place out, hopefully with a win."

The reserve players and those fighting for more playing time know this is a chance to prove something to the coaches. It is one thing to score, defend or assist in a training session or a reserve game, but it is something even more when it comes against a quality opponent.