Chandler Maynes

Three former GSA players make a decision on their collegiate futures

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Three former Grande Sports Academy players recently made a decision on their collegiate futures.

Seniors Bayley Scholz and Elias Rieland have signed with the University of Wisconsin and Sacramento State, respectively. Junior Chandler Maynes has committed to the University of South Florida.

“Playing college soccer has always been one of my goals as it’s a step to becoming a professional soccer player,” said Scholz, who currently plays for FC Wisconsin Nationals. “I am thankful for everything the GSA provided me with. The coaching staff, academic staff, hotel staff and everyone else at the Grande helped make memories that I will cherish throughout my life. Without the GSA I would have never gotten the exposure to college coaches. GSA is the place to be if you want to reach your goals in soccer. I would also like to thank my family and friends who have helped me.”

Scholz and Rieland were both on the Real Salt Lake U-16 Academy squad, which won the 2013 USSDA U-15/16 National Championship in July, 2013.

“The Academy helped me grow as a player and a person,” said Rieland, who currently plays for Sacramento United. “It showed me what a true professional environment was and to always hold myself to the highest standard.”

Maynes currently plays for Orland City Academy.

Community Service: Soccer Clinic For Elementary School Children

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Once per month Grande Sports Academy players participate in a local community service project. In February, players cleaned up a local park. In March, players visited the Boys & Girls Club and in the following month they invited the Boys & Girls Club to the Academy. When our players participate in these projects it is usually just a small group, however this month was a little different.

Forty-three of our players visited three Elementary Schools on Friday morning. Our players became coaches for the day and led the participants through drills, shooting exercises and games. As with every community service project our players enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to share the game they love so much. The schools players visited were: Mesquite Elementary School, Cactus Middle School and Desert Willow Elementary School.

Player who participated: Patricio Cevallos, Christian Herrera, Luis Barraza, Jaime Payamps, Bayley Scholz, Elias Rieland, Terreel Lowe, Miles Stray, Fito Ovalle, Jason Eng, Brandon Johnston, Amer Sasivarevic, Luis Chavez, Moises Rodriguez, Andrew Brody, Eric Gonzalez, Javi Avelar, Jack Gayton, Trevor Hyman, Aaron Herrera, Diego Silva, Nicholas LaMonica, Elijah Evans, Kostas Kotselas, Jose Hernandez, Te Wihongi, Brandon Marquez, Cesar Cobos, Tevin Lowe, Trent Lowe, Corey Nemeth, Octavio Ocampo, Renzo Perez, Brandon Sands, Chandler Maynes, Jonathan Min, Radu Marcu, Alex Knox, Haedan Turner, Andres Irigoyen, Josh Coan, Nick Reyes, Tigran Tiraturyan, Coco Navarro.

Special thanks go to RA’s Lauren Crum and Chris Braybooks who set up the event.

Video – “U16 Mini-Tournament Championship” Settled On PK’s

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On Thursday night (5/9/13), coaches divided up the U18 and U16 teams into a mini-round-robin-tournament. On the U18 side Elijah Evans, Jonathan Stadler, Brandon Johnston, Danny Gavin, Luis Barraza, Jose “Bean” Vasquez, Diego Silva and Jose Hernandez easily won without any extra time or PK’s needed in their final game.

On the U16 side, things were a little different. The “orange” and “blue” team both went into the final game with a 2-0 record. Neither team could score in regular time so the coaches made the players take PK’s. Below is the video from this.

Excellent commentary provided by Aaron Herrea, Coach Tony Bruce, Chase Bishov, Patrico Cevallos and Brandon Sands throughout the PK’s.

Picture Gallery – Thursday Night Training

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Below are some pictures from the training session Real Salt Lake U18’s and U16’s had on Thursday night.

For a ‘keepers only gallery from Thursday click here. Click on one picture and a slider gallery will form.

Picture Gallery – Academic Award Night

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Yesterday on the website we reported that 26 players were going to be honored for their academic achievements. Hours before the event we added another student, Josh Coan, bringing the total to 27.

All of these players worked hard in the classroom this year showing that they can be just as stellar at school as they are on the field.

The player who will be attending are: Luis Barraza, Andrew Brody, Ive Burnett, Cesar Cobos, Josh Coan, Adam Ferguson, Kaleb Goodman, Trevor Hyman, Isais “Junior” Juarez, Alex Knox, Nicholas LaMonica, Tevin Lowe, Trent Lowe, Brandon Marquez, Chandler Maynes, Jonathan Min, Jose “Coco” Navarro, Corey Nemeth, Dillion Nino, Nick Reyes, Elias Rieland, Brandon Sands, Bayley Scholz, Jon Stadler, Duncan Storey, Miles Steay and Jose “Bean” Vasquez.

Academic Award Night

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Twenty-six of our players will be honored tonight at the Academic Award Night at Vista Grande at 6:30pm.

“It shows all the hard work these boys have put in the class room,” said RA Lauren Crum.

The player who will be attending are: Luis Barraza, Andrew Brody, Ive Burnett, Cesar Cobos, Adam Ferguson, Kaleb Goodman, Trevor Hyman, Isais “Junior” Juarez, Alex Knox, Nicholas LaMonica, Tevin Lowe, Trent Lowe, Brandon Marquez, Chandler Maynes, Jonathan Min, Jose “Coco” Navarro, Corey Nemeth, Dillion Nino, Nick Reyes, Elias Rieland, Brandon Sands, Bayley Scholz, Jon Stadler, Duncan Storey, Miles Steay and Jose “Bean” Vasquez.

We will have pictures and video up tomorrow. Congrats players!