MATHER, Cali. – Not wanting to rest on their laurels, the Real Salt Lake U-16 & U-18 Academy teams opened up the U.S. Soccer Development season with a statement by outscoring the San Juan Soccer Club 10-0 on Saturday. The U-16s, with 9 returning players from last year’s championship winning team, wasted no time and scored early and often their 9-0 win, which set a new Academy high of most goals in a season opener and most goals in a match. Last season’s U-16 leader in goals scored, Sebastian Saucedo picked up a single goal while teammates Josh Doughty and Diego “Diablo” Silva recorded a brace. Newcomers: Grant Livingston, Tate Schmitt, Daniel Lee and Fahot Yogol notched their first Academy goals. U-16 Box Score Their older counterparts were not able to cruise to an easy victory as they were tested by a tough San Juan Soccer Club for 90 minutes. However, the U-18s, with 9 returning players from last year’s championship squad, got the better of San Juan, as senior Santi Carrillo scored the lone goal off of a corner with a bicycle kick in the 92nd minute. U-18 Box Score Both teams will be back in action against Chivas USA and LA Galaxy on October 4th and 5th in Los Angeles.
Weekend Preview: Real Salt Lake Academy Opens 2013-14 Season On Saturday
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Real Salt Lake U-16 & U-18 teams open the 2013-14 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season on the road against San Juan Soccer Club this Saturday when they travel to Sacramento, California. The U-16 squad is the defending U.S. Soccer Development Academy champions after they defeated Solar Chelsea 4-2 in the U-16 championship match in July 2013.
Returning GSA Players: Josh Doughty, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera, Christian Herrera, Alex Knox, Brooks Lennon, Terrell Lowe, Jonathan Min, Danny Moreno, Conor Orton, Fito Ovalle, Sebastian Saucedo, Diego Silva, Duncan Storey, Miles Stray, Evan Waldrep
Saturday’s Academy matches will be held at Mather Soccer Complex – North Field. Kick off for the U-18 match is set for 11 a.m. PST. and the U-16 match will begin at 1:30 p.m. PST.
The Real Salt Lake U-16 Elite squad is also going to be on the road this weekend, as they are set to travel to Scottsdale, Arizona for their first match in the Arizona State League. The Claret-and-Cobalt will square off against SC del Sol 98 at Scottsdale Sports Complex; kickoff set for 9:25 a.m. PST.
Picture Gallery – U18 Practice on 1-16-13
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Things have been a little chilly down here at the Grande Sports Academy over the past few days. But that doesn’t stop the boys from working hard and preparing for the their first game of the season on January, 27th. Here are the best pictures from last night’s practice.
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RSL-AZ Academy Teams Play Inspired Soccer at the 2012 USSDA Winter Showcase
Grande Sports Academy – Casa Grande, AZ – The Real Salt Lake-AZ Academy teams traveled to Sarasota, Florida from November 30 – December 4 to compete in a major college showcase and one of the biggest soccer events in the country – the 2012 United States Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase. All 80 academies gathered at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch to play against teams from different divisions and conferences that they are not scheduled to play in the regular season.
This soccer packed, five day event had everything to offer: high quality games, hundreds of college coaches catching every minute of soccer action and evaluating the talent, two high quality Showcase Select games as well as the 2012 Nike International Friendlies Tournament. [Read more…] about RSL-AZ Academy Teams Play Inspired Soccer at the 2012 USSDA Winter Showcase
RSL-AZ Multiple Chances Win at the 2012 USSDA Winter Showcase
On Tuesday, December 4th, the Real Salt Lake – Arizona U16 soccer academy team wrapped up an exciting soccer-packed five days at the 2012 United States Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase. Their last game was against another Major League Soccer academy team, Sporting Kansas City. It was a fantastic performance from the Real Salt Lake – AZ U16 academy team and it resulted in a convincing 3-1 win.
The RSL-AZ players, in their sporting white uniforms, were able to set up their signature fast paced possession game from the opening kickoff and dominated every part of the field. They pressured the opposing team high-up in their attacking third, creating chance after chance, and the crosses were flying in from the left and right hand side of the field. A goal for RSL-AZ was literally “hanging in the air”.
In the 21st minute, Damian German made one of his many nice runs down the left flank to find an open Josh Doughty. Doughty’s shot from close range was saved by the goalkeeper allowing SKC to run with a fast counter attack that scored the game’s opening goal. The goal did not discourage the Real Salt Lake-AZ players who kept playing their style of soccer, pressuring the opponent in seeking the equalizer.
Only a few minutes after falling behind, Brooks Lennon and Diego Silva had a beautiful combination on the left side of the pitch to feed Sebastian Saucedo, who’s shot just sailed over the bar. Adolfo Ovalle, playing in his natural position as a holding midfielder for the first time in the tournament, brilliantly chipped the ball over the SKC back line and found Doughty who charged into the penalty box. Once again the shot was pushed a bit too high over the crossbar.
In striving to find the equalizer, Saucedo made a great run behind the SKC defenders to face the goalkeeper one on one. Saucedo was about to make his shot when he saw Lennon running on his left completely unmarked. Unselfishly, Saucedo passed the ball to his teammate who easily tapped the ball into the back of the net. The assistant referee who wasn’t able to have the best perspective, raised the flag up for offside. The equalizer continued to elude the RSL-AZ team after so many great opportunities.
The RSL-AZ players continued their total control of the midfield as their speedy wingers created more and more problems for the SKC defense. In the 35th minute, speedy Silva ran down the left-wing once again to find Lennon. Lennon’s cross was just an inch too high for German and another lost opportunity plaque the team.
RSL-AZ was finally able to convert on a chance when Lennon dribbled passed SKC defender as he passed a strong ball on the ground to Saucedo. As RSL-AZ leading goal scorer, Saucedo routinely placed it into the back of the net to set the equalizer and to end what was a very exciting first half.
The second half started with a boom when Ovalle scored with a long fierce unstoppable shot for a 2-1 lead in favor of RSL-AZ. Play continued in the same spirit as RSL-AZ stayed with their style of game.
In the 57th minute, Saucedo reacted well to a pass from the left in the penalty box but his shot bounced off the crossbar. German captured the ball and sent the rebound slightly over the bar.
After a number of substitutions by both teams, the pace of the game began to slow as the subs were feeling their way into the play. Ten minutes before the end, subs Elias Rieland and Terrell Lowe finally raised the tenacity. Lowe, the youngest member of the RSL-AZ team, and the team still could not convert on chances to extend RSL-AZ’s lead.
As time was lapsing, three RSL-AZ players combined beautifully in the SKC penalty box, with Rieland finding Jason Eng who scored a phenomenal goal with his left foot into the top right hand corner of the helpless SKC goalkeeper. Seconds later, the referee blew the final whistle and it meant three new points for the Real Salt Lake-AZ U16s as they stand firmly at the top of the Southwest Division of the West Conference of the USSDA.
Starting lineup:
Bishov – Eng, Nino, Glad, Silva – German, Ovalle, Gayton, Lennon – Doughty, Saucedo
Sebastian Saucedo USSDA Week 4 Player of the Week
Grande Sports Academy, Casa Grande, AZ – Grande Sports Academy student-athlete and RSL-AZ forward, Sebastian Saucedo, is named United States Soccer Development Academy Week 4 ‘Player of the Week’ on October 4, 2012. Saucedo received the award for his performance during Real Salt Lake – Arizona U-15/16 soccer academy team overwhelming 7-2 win over Chivas USA Academy last Saturday, September 29, 2012.
Saucedo found the back of the goal at the 24th, 35th, and 48th minute to secure his hat-trick for the match. Saucedo who is a U15 National pool player scored on a penalty-kick, a free-kick, and off a great team combination play as RSL-AZ continued to pressed the ball on the Chivas USA’s side of the pitch throughout the game. The USSDA 2012-13 season is just a month into its schedule and Saucedo’s 5 goals in three matches is currently tied with the most goals in the U-15/16 Division.
The RSL-AZ U-15/16 soccer academy is currently 3-0-0 and is leading the Southwest Division of the USSDA West Conference. RSL-AZ team is playing inspired soccer on the pitch as they average 3.7 goals per game while only giving up one goal per game.
RSL-AZ soccer academy is part of the Grande Sports Academy family of full-time residency academies. RSL-AZ’s next matches are scheduled for October 13th and 14th as the team goes on the road for the first time this season. Match time for the October 13th for the U-17/18 team is at 9:30am PST and the U-15/16 team is at 11:30am PST against the San Diego Surfs. The October 14th games begin with the U-17/18 team @ 12:00pm PST and the U-15/16 team @ 2:00pm PST against the Nomads SC.