The All-Star Game Effect

In between the round of MLS action that just passed and this weekends games is the 2019 MLS All-Star Game. The best of the best take the field Wednesday evening to take on Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Real Salt Lake and New York City FC are both represented at this year’s game, Nick Rimando for the former and Maxi Moralez for the latter. Both players have played huge roles for their clubs, Rimando being the #1 between the sticks for over 10 years and Maxi Moralez controlling the NYCFC midfield since joining in February of 2017.

While it is an honor for these players to be included in such a roster, it does come at a price.  Having to travel in the middle of the week, risking injury and putting more miles on the legs of players who are already enduring a long MLS campaign are concerns fans have with their stars competing in All-Star games.

While Nick Rimando is likely to return into RSL’s starting XI this weekend, the same can’t be guaranteed for Maxi Moralez. With the Argentine likely to play at least 30 minutes against Atletico Madrid and coming off of a calf injury scare it wouldn’t be surprising to see his time limited against RSL.