GSA Exports is the newest feature here on the Grande Sports Academy blog. Even though the academy is only three years old a few players have already joined teams outside of the collegiate level. To keep up to date with these players, once per week we will update them and track their progress. Currently there are: 1 player in MLS, 3 players in PDL and in any given week 1-3 players for the Reserve League (players at the academy who get called up).
Ricardo Velazco is the easy winner for best week On Saturday, Velazco scored 2 goals in FC Tucson’s (4th tier – PDL) 3-1 victory over Southern California Seahorses. Three days later he and his teammates traveled to San Antonio for a game against the Scorpions (2nd tier – NASL) in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. Velazco scored a goal and played the entire game in FC Tucson’s stunning upset over San Antonio on PK’s.
In academy news, Coco Navarro and Ive Burnett were called up for a Reserve League match vs Chivas USA Reserve. It was Navarro’s 6th call up this year and Burnett’s 2nd.
“It was good. Well we lost 3-2, but it was a good experience,” Navarro said. “I started the game and it’s good they have the confidence in me.”
Coco Played the full 90 and Burnett was brought on in the 23rd minute.
“The reserve team went well,” Burnett said. “Coming in and helping the team out and getting into the attack was good. I feel like my outing with the team, was positive and it gave me a lot of good things to think about going into the college level. Playing with older guys, holding them off and maintaining that level.
Below is the rest of the news…
MLS
Carlos Salcedo, D, Real Salt Lake – Started, played 90 minutes in Real Salt Lake’s 4-1 victory over Chivas USA. Carlos looked sharp throughout the game and earned praise for his performance.
Season: 3 games, 2 starts
PDL
Cole Nagy, M, OC Blues Strikers FC – Did not play this weekend. Next game will be against FC Tucson on May 26, in Los Angeles.
Season: 2 games, 2 starts
Ricardo Velazco, M, FC Tucson – Should easily be named PDL Player of the Week for his past two performances. On Saturday, Velazco started, played 90 minutes and scored 2 goals in Tucson’s 3-1 victory over Southern California. On Tuesday, Velazco started, played 90 minutes scored a goal in FC Tucson’s stunning victory over San Antonio Scorpions in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. They advance to third round and take on the Houston Dynamo.
Season: 4 games, 4 starts, 3 goals
Augustine Rey, GK, El Paso Patriots – Started, played 90 minutes, made 4 saves and was scored on 3 times in El Paso’s 3-1 loss to Oklahoma City FC.
Season: 2 games, 2 starts, 6 saves, 5 goals allowed
MLS Reserve League
Lalo Fernandez, GK, Real Salt Lake/RSL Reserve – Came on in the 83rd minute in RSL’s Reserevs 2-3 loss to Chivas USA Reserve.
Season: 3 games, 2 starts
Coco Navarro, F, U18 Academy/RSL Reserve – Started, played 90 minutes in RSL Reserve’s 2-3 loss to Chivas USA Reserve. Coaches were pleased with Navarro’s performance after the game and congratulated him for his work rate.
Season: 5 games, 2 starts, 1 goal
Ive Burnett, D, U18 Academy/RSL Reserve – Entered the game in the 23rd minute for an injured John Stertzer in RSl Reserve’s 2-3 loss to Chivas USA Reserve. Burnett had a strong performance and provided some deadly runs down the wing.
Season: 2 games, 0 starts
45+ – Ive Burnett’s had a couple of marauding runs forward. Looks pretty good at left back.
— Real Salt Lake (@RealSaltLake) May 20, 2013