How homegrown Bode Hidalgo has RSL's defense matching somewhat unlikely club records
Bode Hidalgo has played right wing, right back and a bit of forward since he was with the RSL Academy. But the 22-year-old homegrown has now been part of 2 key shutouts — as a center back.
Real Salt Lake’s 0-0 draw with CF Montreal on Saturday wasn’t just momentous because it was the club’s first shutout since May 15, though that will certainly work in the club record book.
The clean sheet was also noteworthy because of one of the keys to the defensive effort.
With Justen Glad on the mend with an ankle injury and the club’s center back situation stretched again, fullback Bode Hidalgo stepped into central defense and locked down the opposition for the second time this season.
Who said Hidalgo is just an outside back?
“I think I struggled to find the field my first couple of years,” said the 22-year-old Kaysville native who scored five goals in 49 appearances for Real Monarchs in addition to his 37 games with the first team since signing his first contract in 2020 while playing left midfielder and outside back as well as a bit of wing forward during his time with the RSL Academy. “I like to compliment myself, and find it pretty cool that I can slide in pretty much anywhere.”
Little did he know he’d find himself paired in the middle of the back line next to Brayan Vera for a trip to Montreal that could match a club record with 14 consecutive matches without a loss.
No pressure, right?
“It’s funny. You don’t realize in the moment that it’s history,” Hidalgo said. “I hope we can make it more, but I wouldn’t say that’s our goal. Our ultimate goal is something so much more.”
It’s the second time this season Hidalgo lined up at center back from his usual right back spot. He also did so in a 4-0 road win over Chicago.
But each time, he gets better and better — at both center back and right back, head coach Pablo Mastroeni says.
“Bode is a player who is gaining in this moment a depth of knowledge in the game, because he’s playing multiple positions,” he said. “I think often times when you play right wing back or right back, you’re seeing the field from one side. But when you paly in the middle of the field, you begin to understand how important it is to now pull your outside back with you as you shift and make sure you have cover. Now when he plays outside back, he’s going to naturally do that because of the importance he felt for it as a center back. The same when he plays right wing for Andres.
“All of these things are evolving his understanding of the game in our particular game model, and I think he’s gone to be a different man from when I first got here in 2021 to where he is now. He’s really grown into himself, and he’s gaining confidence. He’s one of the best passers out of the back, and when you get this understanding of the game in front of you, you can see him playing with a different mindset — and his energy is different as well.”
RSL will head to Sporting Kansas City (3-10-5, 14 points) for a midweek match Wednesday (6:30 p.m. MT, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) with a 1-point lead on LAFC for the top of the Western Conference.
Suddenly, the one-time hunting team that often trailed in the playoff chase is the team most of the league is looking up at. But confidence and a secret weapon is on RSL’s side.
“I think our biggest thing is that everyone has each other’s backs,” Hidalgo said. “We all know everyone is going to make a mistake … We’re there for them.”