Real Salt Lake center back Jaziel Orozco made history at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. last Saturday when he became the youngest RSL player to start a Major League Soccer match. Orozco was five days younger than Freddy Adu who made his first start for RSL in 2007.
The El Paso, Texas native held his own and helped the Claret-and-Cobalt earn an impressive road point in a hostile environment against the Colorado Rapids.
“It felt amazing. Being with the guys, screaming at everyone and being a leader in the back and seeing the crowd. It was an amazing experience,” Orozco said.
Orzoco’s two appearances this season have highlighted his rise through the RSL system.
“When I first came here I had a meeting with a coach and he asked me what my dreams were in soccer and I said in two years I want to make my debut with the first team,” Orozco said. “That happened, thank God it happened, my family is proud, just trying to keep going from here.”
Fellow RSL Homegrown Bode Davis also made an impact in Colorado. Davis, who was born and raised in Kaysville, Utah, came on in the 72nd minute and within four minutes played in a cross to Sergio Cordova to set up a big scoring opportunity.
Davis made his RSL debut two weeks earlier against Nashville SC, helping the team close out a 2-1 victory at home.
“It was a dream, playing in a sold out stadium, my family being there and just going in makes you realize everything you’ve worked for,” Davis said.
Both players came through the RSL Academy and Real Monarchs pipeline and have now gone on to contribute to the first team this season.
“The coaches prepared me from the Academy, to Monarchs, to the first team. It was level by level I learned how to improve, and every time you got to another level you became a better player,” said Orozoco.
Orozco played in 24 matches for Real Monarchs last season, only missing time away on international duty with the U20 Mexico National Team while Davis has played in 36 matches for Real Monarchs, scoring 4 goals. Following Orozoco and Davis debuts, RSL now has nine Homegrowns who have played for the first team on the roster, while also leading the league in Homegrown minutes played.
“It shows kids in the academy right now that the system works. You’ve just got to trust yourself and be confident,” Davis said.
