Real Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil is only 18 years old, but the Southern California product has already made 48 appearances for the club.

"I think he has exceeded my expectations for sure about where he would be in his third year as a pro in MLS and with Real Salt Lake," Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis told Michael Black. "I think his development has come along very well, but I still think he has a long way to go as well. ... He is a very young player we know, he's 18 years old now. And he's not even close to what he will be."

Gil has appeared in 23 of the team's 27 MLS games this season, starting 15. But with a player like Javier Morales in front of him, playing time can be a little sporadic.

"It's difficult. You have to be prepared all the time," Gil said. "You have to be mentally and obviously physically ready all the time. ... Defensively, I fell like that is the biggest thing. I think I already had the attacking part down. But I do need to get even more involved in the attack. Sometimes, I think I am a little too hesitant in that and play it a little too safe. I probably need to take a few more risks and get forward a little more."