Real Salt Lake – Arizona U-17/18 defeat Real So Cal U-17/18, extends undefeated streak to 11

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Playing in his first U-17/18 United States Soccer Development Academy match, Sebastian Saucedo’s hat-trick propelled Real Salt Lake – Arizona U-17/18 to four goal shutout win over Southwest Division rival Real So Cal U-17/18 on Sunday morning at Oak Park High School.

The victory extended RSL-AZ U-17/18’s undefeated match streak to eleven, which is a new RSL-AZ U-17/18 high surpassing the previous record of ten matches set in the 2010-11 season.

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Saucedo wasted no time in his U-17/18 debut scoring in the 10th-minute after a being played a perfectly placed through ball by Jose Hernandez. Saucedo timed his run and created space near the top of the box. The ‘keeper ran out to collect the ball, but was too slow as Saucedo placed a shot into the left-side netting.

Saucedo added another goal before the half when Corey Baird stripped a defender near midfield. He played up to Hernandez, who then lofted a ball over the backline. Saucedo extended his leg, took a touch and chipped the ‘keeper near the top of the box.

Hernandez capped off his strong first half performance with a goal of his own in the 39th-minute. He slashed through the Real So Cal defense and he was taken down from behind in the box before he was able to get a shot off. He stepped up and converted the penalty for his seventh goal on the year.

Saucedo notched his hat-trick in the 57th-minute after Justen Glad stepped up and intercepted a Real So Cal pass in RSL’s half. He attacked space and passed to Baird on the left-wing, who then played a through ball to Saucedo for his 20th goal on the season.

RSL-AZ U-17/18 goalkeeper Luis Barraza had a quiet match up until the final minutes of the match when Real So Cal’s attack started to threaten. Barraza made a smart run of his line in the 82nd-minute to stop a counter and then ran off his line again moments later to stop a shot. The ball rebounded to a Real So Cal player who fired, but was deterred by Barraza who made a kick-save clearance.

RSL-AZ U-17/18 will put their undefeated streak to the test on Sunday, April 6th at the Grande Sports World against Nomads SC with kick off set for 11:00 AM.

-Real Salt Lake-AZ Academy Match Report-

RSL-AZ – Sebastian Saucedo (assist: Jose Hernandez) – 10th minute

RSL-AZ – Sebastian Sacuedo (assist: Jose Hernandez) – 16th minute

RSL-AZ – Jose Hernandez – 39th minute

RSL-AZ – Sebastian Saucedo (assist: Corey Baird) – 57th minute

Real Salt Lake-AZ: Luis Barraza, Justen Glad, Dillon Nino Erik Holt, Te Wihongi, Moises Rodriguez (Jack Gayton – 78), Luis Lopez (Sam Gleadle – 61), Corey Baird (Adam Ferguson – 75), Jose Hernandez (Matthias Binder – 65), Damian German, Sebastian Saucedo (Eric Carbajal – 61)