Real Salt Lake’s Damir Kreilach Announced As MLS All-Star
Aug 4, 2021, 10:59 AM | Updated: 11:03 am
Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach (8) celebrates a goal as Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles FC play an MLS game at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach has been announced as an MLS All-Star for the first time in his career.
Kreilach, 32, has been in superb form throughout the opening 15 games of the 2021 MLS season as he has scored seven goals and notched five assists, leading all midfielders in the league in goals scored. While only five other players in the league have attributed more assists, including Aaron Herrera who has six next to his name.
“It is such an honor to be chosen by Bob Bradley to represent Real Salt Lake at the All-Star Game. I am so proud of the efforts we have put in and I look forward to doing my best to represent the club,” Kreilach said. “I would like to thank everyone in the RSL organization – my teammates, the coaching staff, the medical staff, the media staff, as well as the fans who mean so much to the club. I especially would like to thank my family. My wife and our families give me so much support here and back in Croatia and that’s what pushes me to reach new heights every year and I couldn’t do it without them.”
Kreilach is in the midst of his fourth season with RSL. Unlike previous seasons where Kreilach has played a multitude of varying positions, the 2021 season has seen Kreilach predominantly used as RSL’s number 10, where he has thrived.
Damir Kreilach: @MLS All-Star
Got a nice ring to it if ya ask us. pic.twitter.com/qcPwFOqxUp
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 4, 2021
Moreover, the established midfielder has been a key contributor to RSL’s success throughout the first half of the season. His ability to find pockets of space in dangerous positions is uncanny, his finishing ability is superb, and his willingness to help out his teammates defensively is priceless.
Kreilach epitomizes everything the club strives to be; resilient, strong, humble, competitive, the list goes on.
The announcement marks the first time since 2019 that RSL has had a player represent the club at an MLS All-Star game. In 2019, MLS Commissioner Don Garber used one of his two selections on Rimando. It was the seventh All-Star appearance for Rimando, only Kyle Beckerman tallied more All-Star appearances (8) throughout his professional career with RSL.
Kreilach becomes only the ninth player in club history to be selected for an All-Star game, following the likes of Will Johnson, Fabián Espíndola, Eddie Pope, Javier Morales, Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave, Nick Rimando, and Kyle Beckerman.
The 2021 MLS All-Star game will be held on August 15 at 7 p.m. at Banc of California Stadium. The 2021 MLS All-Stars will play a friendly fixture against a team filled with Liga MX All-Stars.
