Real Salt Lake head into Wednesday's second leg of their MLS Cup quarterfinal holding a 3-0 lead over the Seattle Sounders. But it's not all rainbows and unicorns. Both starting center backs, Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave, were hurt in Saturday's win and their availability is unknown. They will at least travel, though:
Real Salt Lake Injury Update: Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave Will Both Travel
Injured Real Salt Lake center backs Olave and Borchers could both be out for Wednesday’s second leg.
@rslsoapbox
Denzel Eslinger Good news for #RSL as both Olave and Borchers will travel with team to Seattle, not sure if either or both will actually play yet
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Losing either center back would clearly be a blow to RSL, even if they are holding a huge lead. Heading into the playoffs, RSL had lost by at least three goals in 3 of their last 6 games. Olave and Borchers are clearly their two best defensive players and facing a Sounders team that scored at least three goals in 10 games this year, their presence would surely be missed.
The next player off the bench at center back is Chris Schuler, who made 12 starts this year while filling in for both Olave and Borchers at various times. On Saturday, he replaced Olave in the 32nd minute. While Schuler would start for many teams, the next player in line, Rauwshan McKenzie is much less experienced. He has just nine starts in his four-year MLS career, including just two this year. RSL coach Jason Kreis elected to bring in midfielder Luis Gil when Borchers went down in the 84th minute.
For the latest updates on all the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to check out SB Nation Soccer. For more RSL news and analysis, visit RSL Soapbox.
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