SANDY — Luis Miguel Escalada hasn't played a single minute of Real Salt Lake's first three games, and the deadline to pick up the option on his loan from his South American club is April 15.

Even though all signs point to his imminent departure, RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey confirmed that's not the case.

"We expect to have Escalada signed on Monday to a formal deal, but that deal was restructured to allow us to bring in another player and I expect we'll add another player before April 15th before the transfer deadline," Lagerwey said.

Lagerwey couldn't comment on the additional player, but a sourced confirmed it is former RSL striker Fabian Espindola.

"There's some work to do yet, we have a verbal agreement on terms and everything with the club and player, and we're told we'll get those documents on Monday or Tuesday," Lagerwey said.

Assuming the deal is finalized, Espindola will boost RSL's roster size to the league maximum 24. Espindola spent a year and a half in Utah before RSL opted not to pick up the option on his loan at the end of the 2008 season.

When healthy, Espindola was the team's most efficient goal scorer and his return would give RSL another talented attacking option.

Some wondered if Real would even pick up the expensive option on the talented Escalada without seeing him in a live MLS match, but a fluke ankle injury in the final week of the preseason kind of spoiled that ideal scenario. Nonetheless, the coaching staff apparently saw enough in training sessions the past two months to sign the 23-year-old Argentine player for the rest of the season.

His signing along with the return of fellow Argentine Espindola would give Real Salt Lake five strikers.

EXTENDED MINUTES: Rookie defender Raphael Cox made enough of an impression in his limited minutes in RSL's season opener in Seattle that the coaching staff opted to give him an extended look on Saturday.

He replaced Tony Beltran in the 59th minute at right back, and coach Jason Kreis was pleased with his performance.

"I thought he had a good night, was aggressive with the ball and going at things and trying to make things happen," Kreis said.

Cox seemed a bit nervous at times and had a few errant passes, but he was pleased overall with his contribution considering the situation of entering a

"It's a little nerve wracking coming into a game when the tempo's already set and you have to come in and fit in, but also raise the level," Cox said. "After a few crosses you get in, you settle in, and everything starts to click."

OLSEN A NO GO: D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen didn't make the trip to Utah Saturday because of an aggravated ankle injury, with Andrew Jacobson in his place.

His play at holding midfield was a big reason why D.C. United kept the game close for 90 minutes.

"He did well. It was his first time in a game for us, and he did a good job managing the middle," said D.C. United coach Tommy Soehn. "He started a little bit nervous, but he really found himself into the game."

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com