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U18 team had a impressive showing the the Presidents’ Day Tournament. Check out the recap with quotes here
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Is Now Barça Residency Academy USA
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U18 team had a impressive showing the the Presidents’ Day Tournament. Check out the recap with quotes here
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Gallery, Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy, Soccer News
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Real Salt Lake (RSL) has now been in Arizona at two different times for a portion of their 2013 preseason. The first time they came down was when they stayed and trained at the Grande Sports World. After spending about a week here they left and have now returned back to participate in the Desert Diamond Cup (DDC) hosted by FC Tucson. The other three teams that are playing in the tournament are: New York Red Bulls (NYRB), Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution.
One player that has been traveling with RSL is former Academy defender Carlos Salcedo who joined the club during the summer of 2012 after graduating from high school signing a Home Grown Player contract.
Wednesday was the first day of the DDC and in the early game Seattle defeated the Revolution 2-0, with goals from Eddie Johnson and Phoenix native Brad Evans.
After this game RSL took to the field to take on NYRB. Jason Kreis, Head Coach of RSL, started an inexperienced team against an experienced NYRB team that featured Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Dax McCarty, Jámison Olave, Fabián Espíndola and Juninho.
Salcedo, starting at CB, performed well throughout the game making some important stops on the wing. He also saved a potential goal when Henry received a cross on the left side, dribbled straight at the goal and passed into the box which went into a dangerous empty zone in front of RSL’s goal. Salcedo emerged out of nowhere and cleared the ball before Cahill could one time the shot. Salcedo played the entire first half and a portion of the second half before he and 9 other teammates were all subbed out at the same time in the 62nd minute.
GSA had a chance to catch up with Salcedo and Kreis after the game.
GSA – A lot has changed in 8 months for you. What is it like looking across the pitch and seeing players like Henry and Cahill?
Salcedo – It feels good, but at the end of the day we’re professionals. We sacrificed a lot of things at the Academy but it pays off and it feels really good to be on the pitch playing against those guys.
GSA – Last year you joined RSL while the season was in progress. How has it been different this year?
Salcedo – It’s way better. Feels way better to start at the real season versus the middle of the season. I feel like I’ve been really good but still little details and stuff like that to improve.
GSA – What did you think of Salcedo’s performance tonight?
Kreis – I thought he was good. really quite good. he is a guy that is very young. but doesn’t show it. mature for his age and his play and tactical thinking. Impressed with where he is but he has a lot of room to grow still but I the future is looking food for him.
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On Sunday, RSL Elite defeated CCV-Stars 1-0 in the U16 Championship game of the Desert Classic. The lone goal was scored by Terrell Lowe who was assisted by Nicholas LaMonica.
Elite advanced to the Championship game by going undefeated in Group play and outscoring their opponents 6-1.
Congratulations players!
Elite Schedule
Friday, February 3rd
Group Game – RSL-AZ Elite 2 – Scottsdale 97B Blackhawks Red 1
Saturday, February 4th
Group Game – RSL-AZ Elite 3 – TSA 97 Blue 0
Sunday, February 5th
Group Game – RSL-AZ Elite 1 – LV Premier SC 97B Grey 0
Championship Game – RSL-AZ Elite 1 – CCV Stars 0
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While Garrett the Marketing Manager was busy taking video of the event (Will have that up next week) Lauren Crum walked around and took pictures.
Once dinner was over all of the fifteen players who signed gave speeches that were followed by the coaches giving speeches. After this cake was served because Jonathan Min and Caleb Goodman were both celebrating birthdays. Then the fifteen players went one by one and signed the Letter of Intent. It was a fabulous night for all the players who have put in a countless hours of hard work to achieve their dreams.
If you want to hear what the players had to say about signing click here.
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Over the past few weeks Grande Sports World has seen a collection of professional soccer clubs train and play on our fields. Real Salt Lake, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps have all stayed at the Grande Sports World for a portion of their preseason. Sporting Kansas City, Denmark Under 20, Denmark National Team and Arizona Sahuaros have all played scrimmage games here against one of those teams listed above.
The Academy players have all had a opportunity to see every team train at least once and they have all come away extremely impressed. If you’re looking for all the coverage of these teams make sure to click “blog” at the top of the webpage to see all the coverage we have had.
Yesterday the Vancouver Whitecaps were quite busy. Some of the players had a early training session and other players played a scrimmage game against Arizona Sahuaros. Check out the pictures below.
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CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Real Salt Lake dropped its opening preseason match 0-2 to the Danish U-20 national team at the Grande Sports World.
RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis selected an inexperienced side that was largely ineffective for the majority of the game. Denmark controlled the flow of the game and scored a goal in each half. Full match recap here.
From the RSL-AZ Academy perspective there were a few highlights in the game. Former Academy player Carlos Salcedo, who signed a home grown player contract over the past summer, played the whole game. Current Academy players Benji Lopez and Jordan Allen saw a significant amount of time and Jose Hernandez played close to 10 minutes.
“The guys have done very, very well. It’s a tremendous credit to the staff down here at the RSL-Arizona Academy,” said RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis.” I think they’re doing a fantastic job because all the players that have come into our sessions have done very well and have competed very well. That says a lot for the coaches and for the program down here.”
It was a awesome and a great experience. Probably the best experience I have had in my whole soccer career,” said U-18 Academy player Jose Hernandez. “To be on the field with pro players from other countries who are playing for their national team and to be on the field with the best MLS players was just awesome. Being able to train with Real Salt Lake was awesome. I wish it could have been longer but I definitely enjoyed it.”
“Playing against Denmark with RSL’s first team was great,” said U-18 Academy player Benji Lopez. “Those guys were fast big and strong and it really showed me what was out there. Being able to play with pros like Javier Morales was great. I’m glad I got the chance to show and prove that I can play at the same level as them.”
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