Garlick's Retirement is Bad Timing for RSL

• Salt Lake Tribune, Friday, February 23, 2007 3:04 PM

Scott Garlick's sudden retirement from soccer didn't come at the best of times for Real Salt Lake. Team officials told the Salt Lake Tribune they were "blindsided" by the veteran goalkeeper's decision to accept an offer with a commercial real estate firm. "Obviously, we're put in a difficult situation now," coach John Ellinger said. "So we'll just see what happens."

For starters, the 2007 season is barely two months away from opening. Garlick's departure also means RSL is now left without a single goalkeeper with MLS experience on its roster after trading Nick Rimando to the New York Red Bulls two weeks ago. General manager Steve Pastorino said the team would have given that trade a second thought had it known Garlick would retire. With its starter gone, RSL now has to sign another goalkeeper.

Depending on who the team signs, this could be Chris Seitz's big break. The former University of Maryland All-American was the No. 4 pick in last month's MLS SuperDraft. "We know he can do the job," Ellinger said, "but he's going to miss a month" when he travels to the U-20 World Cup in Canada this summer.

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