CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Toronto FC U-14 defeated Real Salt Lake U-14, 1-0, on Friday afternoon at the Grande Sports World.
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CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Toronto FC U-14 defeated Real Salt Lake U-14, 1-0, on Friday afternoon at the Grande Sports World.
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CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The coaching staff at the Grande Sports Academy home of the Real Salt Lake – Arizona Academy is preparing for one massive weekend of soccer, as the RSL-AZ U-16 & U-18 Elite teams are set to participate in Presidents Day Tournament in Phoenix, while the Real Salt lake U-17 and U-15 will play hosts to a handful on Major League Soccer Academy teams at the Grande Sports World for the second leg of the 2013-14 Generation Adidas Cup. FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE BELOW
Generation Adidas Cup
The GA Cup is a showcase of MLS’s U-17 Academy teams. Academies are divided into three regions; east, central and west, and will participate in two qualifying events per region, and then they compete in a national event during April 2014 alongside international teams. The RSL U-17 Academy team has been placed in the central region with: Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City.
In the first leg of the GA Cup, which was held in Denver, Colorado, the RSL U-17 Academy team dropped the opening match 3-2 to hosts Colorado Rapids and rolled to a 5-1 win over Sporting Kansas City in the second match. Currently, the RSL U-17 team holding the third position in the Central Region standings with three points.
This weekend the RSL U-17 Academy team will open up second leg play against FC Dallas on Friday, February 14th, at 6:00 PM and the following day the Claret-and-Cobalt will square off against Chicago Fire with kick off set for 6:00 PM. The U-17s will wrap up the 2013 GA Cup against Houston Dynamo on Monday, February 17th, at 10:00 AM.
An MLS Academy U-15 showcase will be held alongside the GA Cup this weekend at the Grande Sports World. The RSL U-15 Academy team participated in a similar event at the first leg of the GA Cup. There they lost the opening match to Colorado Rapids 5-3, drew Chicago Fire 2-2 in the second match and close out the showcase with a 2-1 win over FC Dallas.
This weekend the RSL U-15 Academy team will face Toronto FC on Friday, February 14th at 2:00 PM and will take on FC Dallas on Saturday, February 15th with kickoff set for 11:00 AM. The U-15s will close out the showcase against Colorado on Monday, February 17th at 9:00 AM.
Presidents Day Tournament
The RSL-AZ U-16 Elite team will be looking to continue to impressive start to its 2014 campaign, while the RSL-AZ U-18 Elite team will be participating in its first action of the new calendar year.
Last week, the RSL-AZ U-16 Elite team won all three matches at the Desert Classic Tournament and won the Gold Group. This weekend the U-16 Elite team will kick off Presidents Day Tournament against Alaskan club Cook Inlet SC Velocity on Friday, February 14th, at 6:00 PM. The will face New Mexico club Rio SC Red Gunners on the following day at 5:15 PM and will square off against Trebol SC on Sunday, February 16th, at 10:15 AM. Depending on results, the U-16s may play Sunday night or Monday morning
The U-18 Elite team will open its 2014 campaign on Friday, February 14th against Arsenal Colorado Royal at 7:45 PM. The following day they will take on Foothills SC 96 at 3:30 PM and will close out group play on Sunday, February 16th against Forza DC 96. Depending on results, the U-18s may play Sunday night or Monday morning. Tournament rules are as follows:
DETERMINATION OF GROUP WINNERS/WILD CARDS: In group play, there will be no overtime matches
Date | Time | Team | Team | Location | |
Friday, Feb. 14 | 2:00 PM | RSL U-14 | vs. | Toronto FC U-14 | Grande Sports World |
Friday, Feb. 14 | 6:00 PM | RSL-AZ U-16 Elite | vs. | Cook Inlet SC Velocity | Reach 11 Field #18 |
Friday, Feb. 14 | 6:00 PM | RSL U-17 | vs. | FC Dallas U-17 | Grande Sports World |
Friday, Feb. 14 | 7:45 PM | RSL-AZ U-18 Elite | vs. | Arsenal Colorado Royal | Reach 11 Field #3 |
Saturday, Feb. 15 | 11:00 AM | RSL U-14 | vs. | FC Dallas | Grande Sports World |
Saturday, Feb. 15 | 3:30 PM | RSL-AZ U-18 Elite | vs. | Foothills SC 96 | Reach 11 Field #8 |
Saturday, Feb. 15 | 5:15 PM | RSL-AZ U-16 Elite | vs. | Rio SC Red Gunners | Reach 11 Field #15 |
Saturday, Feb. 15 | 6:00 PM | RSL U-17 | vs. | Chicago Fire | Grande Sports World |
Sunday, Feb. 16 | 10:15 AM | RSL-AZ U-16 Elite | vs. | Trebol SC | Reach 11 Field #11 |
Sunday, Feb. 16 | 1:45 PM | RSL-AZ U-18 Elite | vs. | Forza FC 96 | Scottsdale Sports Complex Field #7 |
Monday, Feb. 17 | 8:30 AM | RSL-AZ U-18 Elite | vs. | Croatian Eagles U18 Boys MRL Red | Reach 11 Field #8 |
Monday, Feb. 17 | 9:00 AM | RSL U-14 | vs. | Colorado Rapids | Grande Sports World |
Monday, Feb. 17 | 10:00 AM | RSL U-17 | vs. | Houston Dynamo | Grande Sports World |
Monday, Feb. 17 | 10:15 AM | RSL-AZ U-16 Elite | vs. | Foothills SC 98 | Reach 11 Field #12 |
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CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Grande Sports Academy Exports is a feature in which we track the progress of former Grande Sports Academy players who are playing professionally. There are currently nine professional players in five different countries that have ties to the Grande Sports Academy. GSA Exports will track players who have been called up to national team duty and Real Salt Lake Reserve League matches.
In picture: Justen Glad (orange).
NOTE: Nico Muñiz originally signed with RSL, and is without a team. Romain Gall has signed a youth contract with FC Lorient.
For a full run down on all the weekend’s action, check out the capsules below.
Match recaps from: February 4th-11th
National Team
Christian Herrera, RSL-AZ, U-18 MNT: Did not feature in U-18 MNT’s 0-1 losses to Spain and Argentina at the Copa del Atlantico on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Started, played 90 minutes in a U-18 MNT 2-3 loss to Canary Islands on Friday.
2014 stats: 1 game
Sebastian Saucedo, RSl-AZ, U-18 MNT: Started, played 59 minutes and 61 minutes in the U-18 MNT’s 0-1 losses to Spain and Argentina at the Copa del Atlantico on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Saucedo was a 60th-minute substitute in a U-18 MNT 2-3 loss to Canary Islands.
2014 stats: 3 games, 2 starts
Preseason
Justen Glad, RSL-AZ U-16: Glad was invited by Real Salt Lake to participate in their 2014 preseason, which is currently being held in California. On Saturday, Glad was a 46th-minute substitute in RSL’s 1-1 draw against UC Irvine.
Major League Soccer
Carlos Salcedo, D, Real Salt Lake: Started, played 45 minutes in RSL’s 1-1 draw against UC Irvine on Saturday. RSL will wrap up its preseason by participating in the Desert Diamond Cup from February 17th-March 1st, and will start the 2014 season against LA Galaxy on March 8th in Los Angeles.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Benji Lopez, F, Real Salt Lake: Lopez was a 46th-minute substitute in RSL’s 1-1 draw against UC Irvine on Saturday. RSL will wrap up its preseason by participating in the Desert Diamond Cup from February 17th-March 1st, and will start the 2014 season against LA Galaxy on March 8th in Los Angeles.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Lalo Fernandez, GK, Real Salt Lake: Fernandez was a 46th-minute substitute in RSL’s 1-1 draw aganst UC Irvine on Saturday. RSL will wrap up its preseason by participating in the Desert Diamond Cup from February 17th-March 1st, and will start the 2014 season against LA Galaxy on March 8th in Los Angeles.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Jordan Allen, M/D, Real Salt Lake: Allen was a 46th-minute substitute and was subbed out on the 81st-minute in RSL’s 1-1 draw against UC Irvine. RSL will wrap up its preseason by participating in the Desert Diamond Cup from February 17th-March 1st, and will start the 2014 season against LA Galaxy on March 8th in Los Angeles.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Eriq Zavaleta, F, Seattle Sounders: Zavaleta was a 46th-minute substitute in a 2-0 win over Vancouver on Saturday, and a 60th-minute substitute in a scoreless draw against portland on Saturday. Zavaleta did not feature in the Sounders 2-1 win over Vancouver on Sunday. The Sounders will kick off the 2014 season against defending MLS champions Sporting Kansas City on March 8th.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Tippeligaen (Norway – First Division)
Ben Spencer, F, Molde FK: The 2014 Tippeligaen kicks off on March 30th for Spencer and Molde.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Superliga (Denmark – First Division)
Maikon Orellana, F, Brondby IF: Brondby IF is currently on winter break and will return to league play on February 23rd against AaB.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Bundesliga (Germany – First Division)
Kainoa Bailey, F, Bayer Leverkusen: Not in the 18 for Bayer Leverkusen II’s 2-1 win over Rot-Weiss Essen on Friday.
Season: 0 games, 0 starts
Ligue 1 (France – First Division)
Romain Gall, F, FC Lorient: FC Lorient is on winter break and returns to league play on January 19th against Stade Laval U-19.
Season: 0 games, 0starts
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PHOENIX – The Real Salt Lake – Arizona U-16 Elite team kicked off 2014 by defending its U-16 title at this year’s edition of the Desert Classic Tournament. The U-16s won all three matches played at Reach 11 and outscored opponents 7-2 en route to winning the 2014 U-16 DCT U-16 Gold Group.
For a full run down on all the weekend’s action, check out the capsules below.
Match #1: Saturday, February 8th
RSL-AZ U-16 Elite 2 : Tucson Soccer Academy 1. Goals: Alejandro Parra and Aristotle Zarris (assist: Gallo)
Starting XI: Conor Orton, Patrick Ring, Marcos Hernandez, Ricardo Niebla, Ryan Flood, Gallo, Mikey Lanzetta, Diego Robles, Alejandro Parra, Robby Orona, Gio Alcocer.
Playing in their first match in over 2 months, the RSL-AZ U-16 Elite team jumped out to a promising start with efficient movement and precise attacking into the Tucson Soccer Academy defense. Unfortunately for RSL their efforts went to the wayside when an unmarked TSA player on the backpost scored the opening goal from cross-and-header in the seventh minute.
The U-16s collected themselves and went back to work and almost scored the equalizer in the 16th minute when Erik “Gallo” Virgen played a ball through traffic to a streaking Gio Alcocer. He volleyed a shot that took a bounce off the ground before the TSA ‘keeper jumped up and deterred the chance.
Seven minutes later RSL found the back of the net and equalized the match when Alejandro Parra curled a low screamer around the wall that went though the goalkeeper’s hands and into the back of the net. Ten minutes into the second half, Aristotle Zarris doubled RSL’s lead from a Gallo cross, when he hammered a bouncing ball into the goal from inside the box for his first goal at the Grande Sports Academy.
The U-16s had a few more chances late, but couldn’t extend the lead and closed out the first match at the DCT with a 2-1 win.
Match #2: Saturday, February 8th
RSL-AZ U-16 Elite 3 : Ahwatukee 98 Boys White 0. Goals: Robby Orona, Alejandro Parra (assist: Gio Alcocer) and Diego Robles (assist: Parra)
Starting XI: Conor Orton, Patrick Ring, Marcos Hernandez, Ricardo Niebla, Ryan Flood, Gallo, Mikey Lanzetta, Austin Tucker, Alejandro Parra, Robby Orona, Gio Alcocer.
Looking to shake off a less than impressive opening match, the U-16s came out firing in the opening minutes and jumped out to the lead within moments on Parra cross that went into the box. Alcocer ran up and volleyed a shot. The Ahwatukee ‘keeper got a touch before Robby Orona tapped the ball into the net. RSL doubled their lead in the 9th minute on an aggressive Alcocer run down the left-wing. He sent a long ball to the backpost, which found an unmarked Parra, who calmly took a touch and slotted the ball under the diving goalkeeper.
RSL continued to assert their dominance and added a third goal in the 52nd minute on a brilliantly executed counter from an ill-fated Ahwatukee corner. Austin Tucker collected the ball near the midfield and dribble up the halfway line. He played a through ball to Parra on the wing, who continued to dribble forward before sending Robles on a run. The Ahwatukee goalkeeper ran out, but was steps behind Robles, who finished far post.
RSL moved the ball around with ease after the third goal and closed out the second match with a 3-0 win.
Match #3, Sunday, February 9th
RSL-AZ U-16 Elite 2 : SC del Sol 1. Goals: Josh Allison and Diego Robles
Starting XI: Conor Orton, Patrick Ring, Ricardo Niebla, Ryan Flood, Mikey Lanzetta, Gallo, Austin Tucker, Gio Alcocer, Robby Orona, Alejandro Parra.
In the third and final match at the DCT, the U-16s squared off against a familiar SC del Sol opponent. After 24 minutes opening play, which saw chances limited for both sides, Robles was subbed in a provided an immediate spark from the bench. He and Parra connected in the 31st minute when they dribbled and passed through the SC del Sol defense. Robles fired a shot from the left-wing, which was deflected out by the ‘keeper, but to an unmarked Josh Allison who made sure not to miss from a few yards out.
SC del Sol settled down and was on the fortunate end of an unfortunate clearance by Ethan Shacknai, who went to clear a ball in the box. As he kicked the ball a SC del Sol player ran up and blocked the clearance, which bounced back and into the RSL goal for the equalizer.
However, on the other side of the pitch, the U-16s caught a break in the 57th minute when Alcocer beat a defender down the line and cut into the box before he was tackled from behind. Robles stepped up and converted the penalty for the eventual match winner.
RSL knocked the ball around and limited SC del Sol’s chances en route to a 2-1 win.
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CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Real Salt Lake – Arizona U-16 Elite team will travel up to Phoenix on Saturday to participate in the 2014 Desert Classic Tournament, which will be held at Reach 11.
The U-16 Elite team wrapped up the 2013 calendar year with a impressive showing at the 2013 Nomads Thanksgiving Tournament in which they went undefeated in group play before they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. In three group matches, the U-16s won two, drew one and outscored opponents 5-2.
The U-16s will kick off the Desert Classic Tournament on Saturday morning at 8:30 against Tucson based TSA 98 Boys Blue and will then face Ahwatukee 98 Boys White later in the day at 1:15pm. The final match will be held on Sunday at 1:15pm against SC del Sol 98 Boys Anderson. Tournament schedule here.
Tournament Rules: Divisions will consist of one group of four teams. Each team will play the other three teams in its group for a total of three matches. Final standings shall be determined by the total points accumulated during this round robin play. There will be no Final
Date | Time | Team | Team | Location | |
Feb. 8 | 8:30 AM | RSL-AZ U-16 Elite | VS | TSA 98 Boys Blue | Reach 11 Field #1 |
Feb. 8 | 1:15 PM | RSL-AZ U-16 Elite | VS | Ahwatukee 98 Boys White | Reach 11 Field #1 |
Feb. 9 | 1:15 PM | RSL-AZ U-16 Elite | VS | SC del Sol 98 Boys Anderson | Reach 11 Field #1 |
RSL U-16 Elite Season Stats (Tournament, AZ State League and FWRL: 24 Matches)
Goals: (6) Diego Robles, (5) Robby Orona, (5) Gallo, (4) Javi Avelar, (4) Austin Tucker, (4) Ryan Flood, (4) Gio Alcocer, (4) Mikey Lanzetta, (4) Chris Fourcand, (3) Alejandro Parra, (2) Josh Allison, Ethan Shacknai, Marcos Hernandez, Patrick Ring
Assists: (6) Parra, (5) Gallo, (3) Duncan Storey, (3) Robles, (2) Avelar, Allison, Alex Valdez, Fourcand, Ring, Alcocer, Flood,
Clean Sheets: (4) Marcel Ruzan, (4) Conor Orton, Avelar
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CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Seattle Sounders defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on Thursday morning at the Grande Sports World.
Seattle scored the opening goal in the 8th minute when Fabio Pereira tapped in a shot from close range. Seattle doubled their lead nine minutes later when Dylan Remick dribbled through a few defenders down the left-wing and whipped in a cross that found Kevin Parsemain, who beat the Whitecaps goalkeeper.
Vancouver cut the lead moments into the second half when Matt Watson played a ball over the top to Hurtado, who volleyed the bouncing ball into the left-side netting.
For a full match recap click here.
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