SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Academy graduate Carlos Salcedo, who has become a regular starter in his second-year for Real Salt Lake, will be playing for his first trophy on Tuesday night as the Claret-and-Cobalt will be hosting DC United in the US Open Cup Final.
The winner of the US Open Cup earns an automatic berth in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League; a competition Real Salt Lake takes very seriously.
The match will kick off at 6:00 p.m. Arizona time and can be seen on GolTV. If GolTV is not available where you live, Grande Sports Academy marketing manager Garrett Cleverly will be LIVE tweeting the match on his Twitter account.
Cleverly, had a chance to speak to Salcedo about the US Open Cup on Monday after RSL’s training.
(On how things have gone for his over the past year…)
SALCEDO: “I feel thankful about life. This is what I work for and it’s been hard at the end of the day but I’m excited and we just need to play our game.”
(On advice for the players currently in the Academy…)
SALCEDO: “Got to stick to it if you want to be a soccer player. Most important thing, don’t let anyone tell you cannot do it. Got to believe in yourself and it can take you anywhere.”
(On how everything has gone in his second-year as a pro…)
SALCEDO: “I feel excited. I’m really lucky to be blessed and to be in this position.”
(On receiving a lot of minutes this year…)
SALCEDO: “First of all I always got to stay humble. Whatever happens got to stay humble and that’s the most important thing. If he (Kreis) gives you 10 minutes you need to give everything. He’s giving you that confidence, so I think 15-20 minutes, whatever he gives you always got to be ready to play and ready to go on the field.”