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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