The June international window featured four Real Salt Lake players, representing their respective countries at the senior level, including Anderson Julio (Ecuador), Braian Ojeda (Paraguay), Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela), and Rubio Rubín (Guatemala).
Anderson Julio - Ecuador National Team
Julio earned his first-ever selection for “La Tri” as part of a group of five MLS players featured on the roster for friendlies against Bolivia and Costa Rica. The 27-year-old did not feature in the 1-0 win over Bolivia on June 18, but made his Ecuador debut in the 3-1 win over Costa Rica, coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute. Julio joins former RSL winger Joao Plata as the second-ever member of the Claret-and-Cobalt to appear for Ecuador.
Through two and a half seasons with Real Salt Lake, Julio has scored 12 goals in 65 appearances, and one goal in 14 matches this season. Julio also recorded an assist on Jefferson Savarino’s goal against Colorado Rapids back on May 24 which secured the team’s berth in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals.
Braian Ojeda - Paraguay National Team
Ojeda started for Paraguay and played 60 minutes in their 2-0 win over Nicaragua on June 18. The match marked Ojeda’s sixth cap with the national team and third-ever start for the Albirroja.
In his second season with RSL Ojeda has featured in all four of the Club’s U.S. Open Cup wins. Through 17 matches and 12 starts in the regular season, the 22-year-old has recorded two assists, most recently providing the perfect long ball assist which led to the team’s game-tying assist in the 98tb minute against Minnesota United.
Jefferson Savarino - Venezuela National Team
Winger Jefferson Savarino started for Venezuela on June 15 and played 75 minutes in the 1-0 win over Honduras, his 30th career cap for the National Team. Savarino also started in the match against Guatemala, lining up against fellow RSL teammate Rubio Rubin before eventually being subbed off in the 72nd minute of the 1-0 win.
Earlier this year, Savarino became just the second RSL player to hit the 30 goal-30 assist mark, joining Club legend Joao Plata. Through 15 games this season for the Claret-and-Cobalt, the 26-year-old is tied with Pablo Ruiz and Damir Kreilach for the team lead in goals with four. Savarino also has the second-most assists so far this season with four, one behind Andrés Gómez.
Rubio Rubín - Guatemala National Team
Rubín was named to the Guatemala National Team for friendlies against Costa Rica and RSL teammate Jefferson Savarino and his home country of Venezuela. Rubín received the starting nod for the match against Costa Rica and played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win. Against Savarino and Venezuela, Rubín played the entirety of the second half, entering the match as a halftime substitute in the 1-0 loss.
Since joining Guatemala last summer, after a one-time international switch, Rubín has scored three goals in ten appearances for Los Chapines.
Prior to his international call-up Rubín had played in 13 matches for RSL, scoring two goals in a regular season road victory at Austin on June 3, and recording two assists in a 3-2 win over LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinal of the U.S. Open Cup on June 7.
Rubín will also feature on the Guatemala roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup which will run from June 24 to July 16. Guatemala will begin the tournament on June 27 against Cuba in Fort Lauderdale, FL in the first match of Group D play. Canada and Guadeloupe will also compete in the group, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout rounds.
