Photo by USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Entering Saturday’s matchup with D.C. United, Real Salt Lake defender Chris Schuler hadn’t scored a regular season goal in nearly three years.
The 26-year-old center back proved to be quite the capable goalscorer Saturday by bagging a brace in the eventual 3-0 RSL win at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Schuler picked up his first of the night in the 13th minute, as his close range finish off of a Javier Morales cross gave RSL the early 2-0 lead. Schuler’s second goal came via a powerful header from a corner kick, giving the defender his second in just 11 minutes. Saturday’s pair of finishes equaled Schuler’s goalscoring total from the previous five seasons combined.
The defender’s unexpected goalscoring explosion and contributions to preserving an RSL clean sheet were enough to earn recognition as SBI MLS Player of the Week, as Schuler beat out Toronto FC forward Luke Moore, Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri, Philadelphia Union forward Sebastian LeToux and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Pedro Morales for this week’s honors.
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What did you think of Schuler’s performance? Who stood out to you during MLS Week 21?
Share your thoughts below.
Not only did he finally score, but he continued to be the best lock-down defender in MLS. The defensive performance in making DC look completely lifeless was just as impressive.
For me, when healthy he is the best American CB that we have right now. He was called into the January Camp but turned it down to have foot surgery to make sure he was healthy for this year. So far, it has paid off as he has played almost every game and been unbelievably good.
That was as solid a performance from Schuler and RSL as I’ve seen all season.
Although he isn’t really any younger than Besler, Gonzalez, or Cameron, I’d like to see Schuler get a call to play in USMNT friendlies this fall. If he can stay healthy, (which has been a problem in the past), I believe he could be an international caliber player.
Schuler did receive a call up, or was going to, but then he kept re-injuring his foot.
He was called in for the January USMNT camp but had to decline the call-up because he needed offseason surgery on his foot. He’s definitely on Klinsmann’s radar, though.
Best performance since their demolition of TFC earlier this season, anyway.