Marcelo Silva got his first taste of the Rio Tinto Stadium crowd against Manchester United, but Saturday night it was the real thing. Real Salt Lake’s newest acquisition made his debut in the club’s 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday in a match that offered an inside look into the highs and lows of Major League Soccer.
The 28-year-old Uruguayan showed glimpses of the potential that first caught the attention of GM Craig Waibel and his staff. He combines physicality with agility. He’s organized and tough in the tackle.
Through it all, RSL Head Coach Mike Petke sees a solid addition to the defensive core, but may take some time to adjust to his new surroundings in MLS.