Real Salt Lake’s MLS Cup Playoff match against the Portland Timbers was fast approaching and Interim Head Coach Freddy Juarez had a difficult decision to make. On one hand, he had a defender who had the lowest goals against average among the 74 MLS center backs who had started at least 10 matches in the 2019 season, a rising talent whom he had known since he entered RSL’s Academy. On the other hand was an experienced veteran defender who provided a better strategic matchup for the opponents.
While he weighed the pros and cons of starting either player, he constructed a plan for how to break the news to one of them that they would not be starting in a crucial match.