Real Salt Lake: RSL roster spots still up for grabs

Heading into its third and final preseason trip, which will take place over the next 12 days in Charleston, S.C., Real Salt Lake has filled its 20-man senior roster.

RSL moved up to 20 this week by grabbing MLS veteran Ned Grabavoy off waivers and by signing fourth-round draft pick Raphael Cox to a senior deal.

But with just 21 days remaining before Real Salt Lake kicks off its 2009 regular season in Seattle, the big question is this: Will the same 20 guys be occupying those 20 senior spots in three weeks?

That question will be answered shortly by the guys with the contracts, according to RSL GM Garth Lagerway.

RSL will participate in three preseason matches over the next 12 days in the Carolina Challenge Cup, beginning today against D.C. United at 3 p.m., and the future of RSL's fringe players will be on the line.

"I think (this week's signings go) a long way based on how we do in Charleston," said Lagerway. "If we get hammered three times, you'll see us make some moves to bring in new guys. If we win all three games, I think we're gonna stand pat.

"The message — I think what we've been consistent with in the preseason — is that we're happy with our core group of guys. We think we have guys in our camp right now that (can) make us better ... This could be our final group. I don't know; we'll see. At the end of the day, as always, we're not gonna make those decisions. Those guys are. Over the next three games, we'll see how this group performs."

Lagerway was looking at players in Uruguay and Argentina last week, while coach Jason Kreis spent time scouting in Costa Rica. According to Lagerway, the club already has two or three guys lined up as potential replacements, so the fringe guys better be ready to go over the next three games — or else.

At the top of the list of borderline guys has to be extended trialist Luis Escalada, a 23-year-old striker from Argentina. RSL signed him to a deal that goes from a lower salary to a higher one on April 15, with the club holding the option to release him on that date.

Escalada was clearly unfit when he started training with the team, and so Lagerway and Kreis have been trying to reserve judgment on the striker until he gets into shape.

According to Lagerway, the player has been doing his part to get there.

"I've been impressed by his consistently good effort," said Lagerway.