FC Tucson

Justen Glad earns minutes with Real Salt Lake at Desert Diamond Cup

TUCSON, Ariz. – Real Salt Lake Academy defender Justen Glad was a late second-half substitute in the Claret-and-Cobalt’s 3-1 win over FC Tucson on Wednesday night in the final match of group play at the Desert Diamond Cup.

Glad was brought on in the 81st-minute and almost notched an assist three minutes later when he streaked down the left side, cut in and passed to Alvoro Saborio who hit a shot wide of the target.

“It was a great experience,” Glad said. “It is always fun going out there and being challenged. Even though it was for ten minutes it was a learning experience, and you have to take advantage of every moment you get on the field.”

Glad looked comfortable in his nine minute cameo with smart overlapping runs as well as showing an ability to track-back. The DDC marks the third time Glad has joined RSL during their 2014 preseason. He trained with the first team at the Grande Sports World in January and rejoined the team in California in early February.

“The first team guys are really nice. They have been very welcoming. They invited me out to dinner, which is a great feeling. It’s also nice having Benji (Lopez) and Jordan (Allen) there so I can talk to people I know.”

Lopez signed with RSL after the conclusion of the 2012-13 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season. Allen signed with RSL in December, 2013, after he wrapped up his freshman year at Virginia

On Wednesday night, Allen was named to the starting XI and played the full 90, earning praise for his performance as an attacking midfielder. Lopez was brought on in the 65th-minute and had a quite night.

RSL’s final preseason match will be on Saturday, March 1st against Chivas USA at 1:00 PM.

Justen Glad invited by Real Salt Lake to participate in Desert Diamond Cup

Grande News, GSA Exports

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Real Salt Lake U-16 Academy defender Justen Glad has been invited by the senior team to participate in the fourth annual Desert Diamond Cup, which is a preseason soccer tournament hosted by USL Premier Development League team, FC Tucson.

The Claret-and-Cobalt will be marking their third appearance in this year’s edition where they will be competing against five other clubs: Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, Chivas USA and tournament hosts FC Tucson.

Glad will join his former Grande Sports Academy teammates: Carlos Salcedo, Jordan Allen, Benji Lopez and Lalo Fernandez, who have all signed professional contract with RSL.

The schedule for the DDC is below. RSL’s matches on February 22nd and 26th will be streamed on realsaltlake.com and MLSsoccer.com

Wednesday, February 19th
Chivas USA vs. FC Tucson- 1:00 PM
Colorado Rapids vs. Chicago Fire – 3:30 PM
Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution – 6:00 PM

Saturday, February, 22nd
FC Tucson vs. Chicago Fire – 1:00 PM
Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake – 3:30 PM
New England Revolution vs. Chivas USA – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, February 26th
Chivas USA vs. Colorado Rapids – 1:00 PM
New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire – 3:30 PM
Real Salt Lake vs. FC Tucson – 6:00 PM

Saturday, March 1st
5th vs. 6th – 1:00 PM
3rd vs. 4th – 3:30 PM
1st vs. 2nd – 6:00 PM

USLPDL Review – Ricardo Velasco Helps FC Tucson Defeat Phoenix FC In U.S. Open Cup

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

During the summer break hundreds of collegiate players from all over the United States enter the ranks of the USL Premier Development League (USLPDL). It allows college players to play high level competitive soccer without losing their college eligibility. Hundreds of players, who are now professional, played in the PDL and numerous USMNT regulars like Geoff Cameron, Graham Zusi, Brad Evans, Herculez Gomez played a few seasons for teams all over the U.S.

As players leave the Grande Sports Academy and head to college a few have joined up with a PDL team for the summer and we will be providing weekly updates on their performances. As of right now there are three former players in the PDL and here is how the did this past week.

Cole Nagy, M, UCLA, OC Blues Strikers FC – Did not play this weekend in the Strikers 4-3 victory over Southern California Seahorses.
Season: 2 games, 2 starts

Augustine Rey, GK, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, El Paso Patriots – Started, played 90 minutes and made 2 saves in the Patriots 2-2 draw with West Texas in the season opener for both teams. Season: 1 game, 1 start, 2 saves, 2 goals allowed.

Ricardo Velasco, M, Louisville, FC Tucson – Started, played 90 minutes in FC Tucson’s 2-1 upset over Phoenix FC. More on that below.
Season: 2 games, 2 starts

As mentioned above, FC Tucson upset USLPRO side Phoenix FC in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. FC Tucson qualified for the Cup due to their finish in the standings last year. FC Tucson played an excellent game and were able to score two goals late. The equalizer in the 82nd minute and the game winner in the 92nd. Velasco had an outstanding game almost scored in the first half but his header that went to the far post was cleared off the line. Grande Sports Academy had a chance to catch up with Velasco after the game.

Grande – How special is to for you to play in AZ?
Velasco – “It’s fantastic that I get to play in front of my family and friends in my hometown. I’m actually from Tucson as well and I lived here for a couple of years so it’s more special for me because of my friends and family.”

Grande – Anything you are going to work on this summer?|
Velasco – “Just getting better day by day. Working on my fitness and getting to that next level. Work on the strength because in the higher level it gets very physical and very fast. I want to improve every day whether I’m in school or not.”

Grande – Do you see the PDL as a way to improve?
Velasco – “It’s a very big stepping stone. You are going to see more people from the academy starting in it because it’s a higher level. You have no idea who is watching, a pro team or even a Division I school.”

Grande – Are you going to take a trip to GSA?
Velasco – “I’m going to try to take a couple of trips. I’m still not done with school and I try to come down for games but my whole childhood was the grande so I have to go back.