The fourth edition of the USL 20 under 20 has been fully revealed and RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa landed in the Top 3.
In his first professional year, Ochoa has featured for Real Monarchs in 15 appearances, totaling 1,350 minutes. The 18-Year-Old - born January 16, 2001 - leads the Monarchs between the pipes with 51 saves and three shutouts with a goals against average of 1.46. When Ochoa starts in goal for the Monarchs, the Utah team holds a record of 7-4-4 (25 points).
“[What has impressed us is] the way David handles himself during matches, the way he communicates with his backline and the confidence he exudes,” commented Real Monarchs General Manager Daniel Egner. “Watching him this season, you’d think he has been a professional for a few years. The way he reacts to mistakes is also something I’ve never seen in a player at his age, especially for a keeper. Instead of sulking and letting his mistakes affect his play, he learns from them and gets right back in between the sticks believing he’ll make the next save.”
On an international level, Ochoa earned a call to the U.S. U-20 team, where he played in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland over the summer. Throughout the competition, Ochoa started twice for the U-20s, earning one clean sheet and helping lift his side to the quarterfinals before it fell to the Ecuador U-20 side. In addition, he earned his first call-up to the U.S. U-23 team for its upcoming camp starting next week.
“It feels good. Just to see where I’ve come to from the past years feels good to get that accomplishment,” Ochoa said after training on Tuesday. “It’s time to keep working hard and trying for more.”
Each year, the USL technical staff selects 20 players under 20 years of age to highlight for their exceptional talent and accomplishments over the course of the season. In the past, players such as USMNT star Tyler Adams and Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse have highlighted the ranks of the list. This year’s selection of players was those born after January 1, 1999 and played during the 2019 season in the USL Championship or League One.
David Ochoa and the rest of the Real Monarchs have a chance to showcase all its hard work on Saturday when it hosts 2019 Expansion Side Austin Bold FC for the first time at Zions Bank Stadium. A Monarchs win paired with results elsewhere could see the Utah club earn its third consecutive berth into the USL Championship playoffs by the end of the league’s Saturday matches. The contest is set for Saturday, October 5 with an afternoon kickoff of 1:00 p.m. MT from Herriman. Tickets are available at RealMonarchs.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX. The contest will also be available to watch live on ESPN+ with commentary provided by Landon Southwick (play-by-play) and David Horst (color).
