CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Real Salt Lake – Arizona U-16 & U-18 Academy teams will be looking to extend their combined ten match unbeaten streak at home this weekend against Southwest Division rivals Strikers FC on Saturday.
The RSL-AZ U-18 Academy team, ranked #2 in the country by Top Drawer Soccer, is the leader of the Southwest Division (7-1-3) and has conceded a U-18 league best seven goals. Through five matches at home, the U-18s have won four, drew one and outscored opponents 18-3. Jose Hernandez and Corey Baird are tied for the team lead with five goals individually. Sam Gleadle and Hernandez lead the team with four assists apiece. Earlier this month, U.S. Soccer held a January camp and U-20 MNT head coach Tab Ramos called up Baird as the lone RSL U-18 Academy representative.
In their previous match, the U-18 Academy team defeated Crossfire Premier, 3-0, at home on January 18th. Gleadle turned in his best Academy performance to date scoring RSL’s second goal and assisting on two others. Baird entered the match in the second half a scored a goal and notched an assist in his first five minutes of action, while goalkeeper Luis Barraza earned his fifth clean sheet.
The RSL-AZ U-16 Academy team, ranked #3 in the country by Top Drawer Soccer, is the leader of the Southwest Division (9-1-1) and has conceded four goals; tied for the U-16 lead with the New York Red Bulls. Earlier this month, U.S. Soccer held a January camp and U-18 MNT head coach Javier Perez called in three RSL U-16 Academy players: Justen Glad, Sebastian Saucedo and Christian Herrera.
The U-16s, off to their best start in Grande Sports Academy history, have yet to concede a goal at home through five matches. Saucedo leads the team in scoring with nine goals and leads the team with six assists. Tate Schmitt and Josh Doughty are tied for second with five goals apiece, while Herrera has earned eight clean sheets.
In their previous match, the U-16 Academy team defeated Crossfire Premier, 2-0, at home on January 18th. Saucedo scored the opening goal in the third minute from an Alex Knox pass and Diego “Diablo” Silva doubled the Claret-and-Cobalt’s lead in the second half from a Kris Fourcand through ball.
The U-18 match is set to kickoff at 11:00am and will be followed by the U-16 match at 1:30pm.
| Date | Time | Team | Team | Location | |
| Jan. 25 | 11:00 AM | RSL U-18 Academy | VS | Strikers FC | GSA |
| Jan. 25 | 1:30 PM | RSL U-16 Academy | VS | Strikers FC | GSA |