Real Salt Lake Midfielder Damir Kreilach Believes Restart of MLS Season Won’t Come Before July 1

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach said that it’s his opinion that the restart of the 2020 MLS season won’t come before July 1.

The midfielder spoke with media members on Thursday, March 7, after participating in an official workout at RSL’s practice facility.

“My opinion… I don’t know how long we’ll take,” said Kreilach. “Individual training will take time. So after that, we will move to small groups training and after that probably we will have let’s say three to four weeks as a whole group to continue the season. It means in my opinion, we will not start before July 1 probably. Unfortunately, I want to say how we will finish the season. Honestly, I don’t know just because of the situation in any state.”

Come for Damir Kreilach's goals.

Stay for his Dad's celebration. #RSL pic.twitter.com/mdAfvKtpcU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 5, 2018

Kreilach highlighted that cities with MLS teams like New York and Chicago have experienced more turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic than Utah.

“We start today, but we don’t know for example when Chicago will start,” Kreilach said.

The midfield said that while Real Salt Lake was able to restart individual workouts with some restrictions, MLS will allow other clubs ample time to prepare themselves before a restart.

“MLS has to give them some time to prepare themselves and to be ready to continue the season,” Kreilach said.

The midfielder doesn’t know what to expect when the soccer season returns but thinks “it would be a good idea” to play a complete season.

Kreilach said that he’s “pretty sure” that MLS will present some “interesting” ideas for how to complete the season whether clubs play a full schedule of games or a tournament.

“At the end of the day, we as players are very excited about that,” the RSL midfielder said.

Kreilach said that the team misses the fans and wished “we started tomorrow.”

If his prediction on MLS’ restart timeline comes true, Kreilach could see the birth of his second child before Real Salt Lake’s next game. Kreilach said that his wife is due on July 3.

Damir Kreilach’s Season

Kreilach’s header during stoppage time on March 7 against the New York Red Bulls earned Real Salt Lake one point in the club’s home opener.

The midfielders’ goal was RSL’s first of the season.

Kreilach has 19 goals in his Major League Soccer career, all with Real Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake’s Season

Real Salt Lake drew their first two games of the season before league play was shut down in March due to coronavirus concerns.

A 0-0 tie on the road against Orlando City and a 1-1 nailbiter at home against the New York Red Bulls.

After THAT GAME … we’ll take the point.#RSL pic.twitter.com/MaOQ7eKuOp

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 7, 2020

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