Broken hand won't likely keep Novak from lineup

Kevin Novak is one tough dude.

Unbeknownst to virtually everyone at Rice-Eccles Stadium, he played the final 60 minutes of last Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids with a broken right hand.

About 30 minutes into the game, he landed awkwardly on the hand after sweeping in around a Colorado player to clear the ball away.

Novak said a couple of his fingers went limp, but he pressed on the final 15 minutes of the half. At halftime, the team doctor confirmed he'd likely broken the second metacarpal in his hand, so they just taped it up and he played the final 45 minutes.

"Going into tackles you just didn't think about it," said Novak. "It hurt after the tackles, but the main thing was just trying to get the ball away."

Novak had successful surgery Sunday morning, and he's practicing with a soft cast on his hand until doctors fit him with a hard cast on Friday. If everything goes well with the casting, Novak will likely be in the starting lineup this Saturday against Chicago.

"Kevin's old school in a lot of ways," said RSL coach John Ellinger. "He's worked hard to get on the field and he's not going to give it up without battling. I admire him for that."

Novak's a natural midfielder, but with the team a little shorthanded because of World Cup absences, he's filled in admirably at right back the past three games.

ANOTHER WIN: Real's Reserves played a Utah State Select amateur team Tuesday night at Waterford High School and prevailed, 2-0.

Both goals came early in the game, with Ryan Johnson scoring first in the 11th minute and Jamie Watson adding another in the 17th minute.

The win helped the reserves improve to 5-0-1 overall, while they're 3-0-1 in the MLS Reserve League.

A DONE DEAL: Midfielder/forward Duke Hashimoto, acquired in the trade with the Columbus Crew, officially signed his developmental contract with the team early this week.

A fourth-round pick by the Crew in the January SuperDraft, Hashimoto stayed at SMU until early May to finish up his schooling, and therefore hadn't officially signed a contract.

Hashimoto takes over the vacant roster spot left by Noah Palmer when he was traded to Columbus.

CORRECTION: The second assist on Jason Kreis' game-tying goal against the Rapids Saturday was originally credited to midfielder Chris Klein, which would've been his fifth assist of the season. It should've been credited to midfielder Carey Talley.

After the statistical correction, Klein and Talley are tied for the team lead with four assists.

REAL MADRID TICKETS: Even though individual tickets for the RSL vs. Real Madrid exhibition game on Aug. 12 currently aren't on sale, those interested in other methods of purchasing tickets should call 1-866-9SOCCER.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com