What does Pablo Ruiz's devastating knee injury mean for Emeka Eneli, RSL's midfield?

Real Salt Lake hosts Rocky Mountain rival Colorado in a Rocky Mountain Cup match Saturday at 7:30 p.m. MST at America First Field in Sandy.

Most, if not all, of Real Salt Lake’s players, coaches and staff were heartbroken when midfielder Pablo Ruiz went down with a knee injury during training early this week — the second consecutive season-ending knee injury for the Argentine midfielder who only a few days prior had agreed to a long-term contract extension with the club through the 2026 season (with club options for 2027 and 2028).

Many of those tributes can be read here in a digital compilation that RSL doesn’t do for every player, but certainly felt deserved in this instance.

But with respect to the rest of his teammates, Emeka Eneli really felt for Ruiz. Not only has the Cornell grad suffered his fair share of injuries, like most athletes do, but he’s also now tasked with holding together central midfield absent the club’s dynamic playmaker for a second consecutive year.

“Oh my gosh, it’s devastating, obviously. Last year, he was one of our best players,” Eneli said. “Undoubtedly. To lose him halfway through the season was incredibly sad. He came back through preseason and was fantastic, looking very healthy, everything was looking up. But after a freak accident and scare at training, now he’s out for the season. It’s really sad, but I’m with him, the whole club is with him. He came back from his lapse last year stronger, and I’m sure after this year when he comes back in 2025, he’ll be even stronger — and we’re all going to be there to push him along.”

With Matt Crooks’ entry into the team at attacking midfield, Ruiz was dropped back to the double-pivot center mid role — a role that now belongs in larger measure to Eneli and teammate Braian Ojeda (among a few others). Alexandros Katranis has also arrived in Salt Lake City, and the 25-year-old left back will be available for selection Saturday.

“I think it’s more of the same,” Eneli said before Saturday’s Rocky Mountain Cup matchup with Colorado (7:30 p.m. MST, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). “I just have to play my very best, and help the team however I can. Whenever I step on the field, I just give my all and try to do that.”

Availability report

• COL — Out: Kimani Stewart-Baynes (illness).

• RSL — Out: Kevin Bonilla (knee; SEI); Zack Farsnworth (shoulder); Braian Ojeda (second yellow); Pablo Ruiz (knee; SEI). Questionable: Justen Glad (hamstring).

Watch: RSL v. LAFC

• TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

• ENG: Keith Costigan, Maurice Edu

• SPN: Marcelo Balboa, Jorge Perez-Navarro

• Radio: KZNS 1280 AM / 97.5 FM (David James, Jay Nolly)

• Kits: Peak Utah kit