Bobby Wood Listed On The Bench As Potential Real Salt Lake Debut Looms

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake manager Freddy Juarez has opted to place Bobby Wood on the bench, marking the first time the U.S. international has made the gameday 18-player roster for RSL.

Wood, 28, arrived in Salt Lake City two and a half weeks ago during the middle of the FIFA International break and has been training with the team in an effort to regain full match fitness.

Roll call 🗣#SEAvRSL | #RSL pic.twitter.com/WSM7OlM6Fh

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 24, 2021

Long Time Between Drinks

His last competitive game came in April when he was still with Hamburger SV in the German second division. Then, during the month of June spent time alongside his wife while they patiently waited for their second child to be born.

Wood was public about his lack of recent competitive soccer when he first spoke to the media in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago. Stating that he will be in “no rush” and will “listen to his body” as he prepares for a return to the game.

they grow up so fast :') pic.twitter.com/zVY8Z1ZUGX

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 24, 2021

Nonetheless, Wood has clearly excelled in his return to fitness and has earned the trust of Juarez quickly.

Given the circumstances, Wood will likely see minutes in the second half as a replacement for Rubio Rubin who is frequently substituted by Juarez late in games. Rubin is normally replaced by Douglas Martinez Jr, who spent the majority of last season as the team’s go-to striker. Although, Martinez Jr did not make the 18-player gameday roster for the fixture against Seattle, making Wood the only striker available for Juarez on the bench.

Match Info

RSL and Seattle will kick off at 8 p.m. and will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.