Damir Kreilach Returns To Real Salt Lake Training

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake captain Damir Kreilach has returned to the training pitch this week for the first time since injuring his back in April.

Kreilach has only played five games from a possible 34 this season and has endured more injuries this year alone than he has his entire career. In the preseason, he was dealing with a calf injury that ultimately led to a severe back injury. At the start of June, Kreilach traveled to Los Angeles and underwent successful back surgery but has yet to reappear on the pitch.

For months Kreilach has been spotted at training. At first, he was on the stationary bike on the sideline, then he progressed to running laps wearing his running shoes, the boots came out and he was seen for weeks doing skill work and change of direction drills on the side. Now, three and a half months post-surgery, Kreilach is back with the main group.

On Wednesday he trained with the main group for 75 percent of the training session before being dragged to the side where he worked on his finishing.

Manager Pablo Mastroeni spoke with RSL Insider Tom Hackett following training on Wednesday and had this to say about Kreilach’s availability –

“The recovery from this point forward is really based around what Dami feels and I think the communication between him and the medical staff has been fantastic to now allow us at this point in the season, which I did not think was possible, to potentially have him on the field.”

1/2
Went out to #RSL training today and caught up with Mastroeni.
– he likes and is excited by the matchup against Austin
– Kreilach is back with the main group (did 75% of the session today
– believes this team is capable of going on a playoff run pic.twitter.com/cvYq4xT4CZ

— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) October 12, 2022

It remains unknown if Kreilach will suit up this season, but KSL Sports can confirm that he will be on the plane to Austin and will do everything in his power to find a spot on the bench.

The Injury Front

In other injury news, striker Bobby Wood will not return to the pitch in 2022. Wood underwent abductor surgery midway through the season and looked to be further ahead in his rehabilitation than Kreilach. A month ago, while Kreilach was running laps in his running shoes, Wood was seen working on his change of direction and ball skills during training.

Unfortunately, Wood has not been seen at training for two weeks. It would appear that his abductor injury will cut his 2022 campaign short.

Furthermore, Aaron Herrera was not a participant at training on Wednesday either. Herrera suffered a midweek knock to his calf in training a week ago and was not available for the Decision Day clash against Portland. KSL Sports has learned that the club is hopeful Herrera will be able to train later in the week ahead of the fixture against Austin but his availability is listed as questionable.

The calf injury is not deemed to be a long-term injury. If Herrera is unable to be fit for the Austin match he will likely be available for the following playoff game against the winner of Minnesota and Dallas.

Real Salt Lake Vs. Austin Match Info

Real Salt Lake and Austin will kick off from Q2 Stadium on Sunday, October 16, at 1 p.m.

The match will be broadcast via ABC.