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By The Numbers: Real Salt Lake U16 & U18 Academy Season Review

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy

U18 Academy teamReal Salt Lake U-18′s & U-16′s closed out an extremely successful season that saw a number of academy records fall. Here are some interesting and notable numbers from the past season.

3

Real Salt Lake U-18′s & U-16′s have both qualified for the playoffs in three consecutive years.

8

In the season ending victory over Arsenal FC, Real Salt Lake U-18′s matched an academy best 8 goals in a game, previously done on May 19th, 2012 against Strikers FC.

68/34

The U-16′s set an academy best in goals scored and goals allowed this season. The 68 goals scored this season surpasses the previous high of 64 in 2010-2011, and the 34 goals allowed is the best since 38 in 2010-2011.

24

Represents the amount players who graduated from High School this year and will be moving into the collegiate ranks in the fall. Eight of these graduating seniors have been at the academy since the beginning: Jose “Coco” Navarro, Luis Chavez, Cesar Cobos, Eric Gonzalez, Isaias “Junior” Juarez, Jose “Bean” Vasquez, Danny Gavin, Jon Zabasajja.

1

When Carlos Salcedo entered the game for Real Salt Lake in the 89th minute against the Vancouver Whitecaps he became the first player from the academy to make his pro debut.

W19-L5-D4

The U-18′s set a new record for wins in a season along with lowering the academy record for losses and draws in a season. The previous high for wins was 16 in the 2011-2012 season, the previous low for losses was 8 in the 2010-2011 season and the 4 draws this season lowered the previous high of 5 the past 2 seasons.

20/45

Coco Navarro equalized a U18 record of 20 goals in a season set by Maikon Orellana in the 2010-2011 season. Navarro is now the sole leader in goals scored for the academy with 45 in three seasons.

61

The U-18′s set a new record for points in the season surpassing the previous high of 53 in the 2011-2012 season.

28

Dillion Nino started and played in 28 games this season. He along with one other U-16 player are tied for first place in the nation.

57%

The percentage of goals Brooks Lennon and Sebastian “Bofo” Saucedo scored with the U-17 MNT during the Caspian Cup. Lennon recorded two hat-tricks and scored a total of 7 goals and Bofo recorded one hat-trick and scored a total of 4 goals. The U-17 MNT scored a total of 19 goals in the Cup.

Weekend Recap – Real Salt Lake U18’s & U16’s vs Arsenal

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Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U18 Academy vs Arsenal - Eric Gonzalez (3)The final regular season game for the Real Salt Lake U18’s & U16’s was this past weekend vs Arsenal FC. The U18’s needed a victory and some help to win the Southwest Division and the U16’s needed any points to secure the best possible playoff seeding. Below is the recap, pictures and video of a goal from the U18’s.

RSL U18 vs Arsenal U18

Starting XI: Luis Barraza (71′), Corey Nemeth, Jonathan Stadler, Santi Carrillo, Tigran Tiraturyan (65′), Andrew Brody (75′), Jon Zabasajja (46′), Jose Hernandez, Jose “Bean” Vasquez (75′), Coco Navarro, Amer Sasivarevic (73′)
Bench: Haedan Turner (75′), Miguel Martinez (71′), Kostas Kotselas (46′), Isaias “Junior” Juarez, Brandon Johnston (73′), Te Wihongi (65′), Eric Gonzalez (75′)

Pictures from the game here
Video of Tigran Tiraturyan’s goal here

It took Real Salt Lake U18’s 44 minutes to find the back of the net and once they did the onslaught was on. A season high eight goals were scored in the season finale against Arsenal FC at Grande Sports World. RSL finishes the season 19-5-4 for a second place finish in the Southwest Division, the highest finish in the three-year history for the academy.

After being down a goal for the majority of the half RSL equalized in the 45th minute when an Arsenal player was shown a second yellow for a vicious tackle from behind which sent him off. Tigran Tiraturyan stepped up and converted the free kick. Moments later RSL pressured the Arsenal backline which created a turnover. Coco Navarro found himself alone in the box and scored RSL’s second of the match.

One change at the half brought Kostas Kotselas into the game for Jon Zabasajja. His presence was felt 44 seconds later when he doubled RSL’s lead. Amer Sasivarevic scored the next 2 goals giving him 6 in 8 games. Te Wihongi entered the game before Sasivarevic’s second goal and created numerous defensive problems for Arsenal on the left side. In the 70th minute Wihongi sent in a low cross which lead to a blocked Navarro shot. Seconds later Wihongi made the same run again and sent in the low cross. This time Navarro would not be denied giving him his second goal in the game and his 20th on the season.

RSL’s 7th goal was scored by Kotselas from an Andrew Brody cross and second half substitute Eric Gonzalez broke free on the left-wing and beat the goalie near post for the final goal. It was Gonzalez’s first goal for the academy in the three years at GSA.

RSL did concede 2 goals in the game. The first was in the 10th minute when Arsenal countered and the second a remarkable shot. After Sasivarevic’s first goal, on the restart, an Arsenal player took a shot from halfway and scored a spectacular goal.

With the victory RSL’s U18’s finished in second place. They are tied with the LA Galaxy on points but the Galaxy have a better goal differential giving them the Division crown. RSL also looks like they have secured a pot #1 draw in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs which will be drawn on June 17th.

Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U16 Academy vs Arsenal -RSL U16 vs Arsenal U16

Starting XI: Christian Herrera, Moises Rodriguez, Luis Lopez, Dillion Nino, Jason Eng, Jack Gayton (56′), Fito Ovalle, Evan Waldrep (72′), Diego Silva, Josh Doughty, Damian German.
Bench: Bayley Scholz, Alex Knox (56′), Miles Stray (72′), Adam Ferguson, Nate Deaton

Pictures from the game here

Real Salt Lake U16’s already secured second place in the Southwest Division and needed one last strong showing to remain in the second pot for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. A 1-1 draw with Arsenal FC may not seem like the ideal result but the one point secured in this game will keep RSL in the second pot.

By remaining in the second pot, RSL will avoid having to play tougher competition in group play.

RSL started off well scoring in the 20th minute when Damian German pounced on a loose ball in the box but an unfortunate defensive miscue 5 minutes into the second half saw Arsenal equalize the game.

Chances in the game were limited for both sides due to the strong defensive performances. RSL’s defense lead by Dillion Nino and Jason Eng were active early blocking Arsenal shots and cutting off Arsenal attacks. Eng also started RSL’s most dangerous attack in the 30th minute when he and Josh Doughty connected for a quick counter up the right-wing. Doughty laid it off to Evan Waldrep who’s shot was deflected out.

After Arsenal’s goal, Damian German produced RSL’s final 2 chances. In the 48th minute he chipped the ‘keeper but put a little too much on the ball as it sailed over the crossbar. His last chance came in the 65th minute when his shot from the side was saved by the Arsenal ‘keeper who had to lay out.

Arsenal had one final chance but were once again stopped by Nino who had a stellar performance in the regular season finale. RSL closes out the season W17-L6-D5 and finished in second place in the Southwest Division, the highest finish in franchise history.

Weekend Recap – Real Salt Lake U16 Academy vs Chivas USA & LA Galaxy

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Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake vs Chivas USA U16 - Dillion NinoReal Salt Lake Academy U16 team traveled to Los Angeles this past weekend for some big games against Chivas USA & LA Galaxy. Below are the recaps and pictures from the games.

RSL U16 vs Chivas USA U16

Starting XI: Christian Herrera, Jason Eng, Moises Rodriguez, Justen Glad, Dillion Nino, Fito Ovalle, Luis Lopez, Damian German, Brooks Lennon, Bofo Saucedo, Diego Silva
Bench: Evan Ealdrep, Miles Stray, Chase Bishov, Alex Knox, Aaron Herrera, Jack Gayton, Adam Ferguson

Picture gallery from the game here

It has come down to just a few games left for playoff positioning and RSL, third place in Southwest Division, needed a big weekend to overcome second place Real So Cal and first place Chivas USA. And with the first game against Chivas USA, RSL looked to start things off on the right foot.

RSL however started things off on the wrong foot when in the 8th minute thy went down a goal due to a poor defensive pass out of the back that left everyone out of position. Two minutes later RSL answered back when Damian German played a ball up to Brooks Lennon from a quick restart on a free kick. Brooks wasted no time and tucked it away into the far post equalizing the game.

RSL then looked a little more inspired and started to play better, but poor passing in the final third held them back. Chivas USA looked to grab the lead in the 22nd minute but were stopped by Dillion Nino who prevented a goal when he cleared a dangerous ball. Chivas USA kept applying pressure and they grabbed the next goal in the 27th minute and another in the 35th minute to go into the half with a 3-1 lead. The two goals being scored off of defensive mistakes that turned into counter attacks.

Chivas USA wasted no time in the second half scoring again in the 42nd minute. RSL went to their bench and brought on players Evan Waldrep, Aaron Herrea and Alex Knox who greatly improved RSL’s chances with some physical play and crisp passing. Their hard work paid off when Knox got tackled from behind in the box after receiving a Herrera pass. Knox stepped up and converted the goal. His second on the season.

RSL didn’t have much left after this and a crucial clearance by Herrea kept the game at 4-2 which ended minutes later.

Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U16 vs LA Galaxy U16 - Brooks Lennon, Bofo SaucedoRSL U16 vs LA Galaxy U16

Starting XI: Chase Bishov, Moises Rodriguez, Justen Glad, Dillion Nino, Aaron Herrera, Fito Ovalle, Luis Lopez, Elias Rieland, Brooks Lennon, Damian German, Evan Waldrep
Bench: Christian Herrera, Alex Knox, Bofo Saucedo, Diego Silva, Jack Gayton, Miles Stray, Jason Eng

Picture gallery from the game here

After losing to Chivas USA, the game against Galaxy wasn’t a must win but the players acted as if it was. Three points would keep their chances alive for a top 2 spot in the Southwest Division and no points would greatly ruin any chance for a late season push with just 2 games remaining after the Galaxy match.

Both teams spent the majority of the first half kicking the ball around. Moises Rodriguez, back at LB for the second time this season, impressed early on stopping many Galaxy attacks on the wing. RSL had two chances on goal in the first half the first coming in the 28th minute when Luis Lopez sent a ball through traffic that was deflected out and again in the 37th minute Brooks Lennon took a shot that went well wide. Other than these two chances there wasn’t much else for RSL in the first half.

RSL made three substitutions at the beginning of  the second half bringing on Bofo Saucedo, Jason Eng and Alex Knox who all provided an immediate spark. In the 43rd minute Brooks Lennon played a ball into Damian German who took a touch and fired over the net. RSL had a huge opportunity saved in the 55th minute from a corner. The ball sailed to the top pf the 18 and Dillion Nino headed it back into the box. Justen Glad then headed it far post and the Galaxy GK made a diving save pushing it out to keep the game scoreless.

RSl continued to apply pressure and it finally paid off in the 69th minute when Fito Ovalle forced a turnover in the Galaxy half. He then sent a looping ball to Brooks Lennon who dribbled into the box slotting it to the right giving RSL the lead. Moments later RSL doubled their lead when Damian German sent a free kick up to Lennon. He collected the ball and and shot far post giving RSL the 2-0 lead.

With the lead in hand RSL had to play some stellar defense and GK Chase Bishov had quite the performance in the final minutes. A PK was called against RSL in the 73rd minute. Bishov saved the shot and no one on RSL cleared the ball which gave a Galaxy player ample time to collected himself and score. Bishov then made made three more saves to keep RSL on top which gave them the 2-1 victory over Galaxy.

Picture Gallery – Academic Award Night

Grande News, Performance News, Soccer Academy

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

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy

Grande Sports Academy Real Salt LakeTwenty-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!