Real Salt Lake head coach Mike Petke is not one known for keeping his mouth closed. He is not afraid to let his opinion known, no matter its controversy. Just ask the many referees that he has publicly barked at throughout his time in MLS.
And again, after the much-questioned decision to drop Justen Glad in the MLS Playoffs in which the defender did not start any of the postseason matchups after making 50 consecutive starts prior, Petke was not quiet on his motivations.
Speaking this week about the role of youth, how the young players can break into the starting XI and the regular first-team rotation, and whether it is his job to develop young players, Petke made it quite clear what the young prospects at Real Salt Lake must do:
“I can’t imagine any of them being surprised at the number of games that they’ve gotten.