HERRIMAN, Utah (Monday, November 14, 2022) – Real Salt Lake MF Braian Ojeda was named earlier today to the Paraguay roster for upcoming friendlies against Peru (Wednesday, Nov. 16 in Lima) and Colombia (Saturday, Nov. 19 in Ft. Lauderdale).
Since his arrival on loan from English Premier League side Nottingham Forest to the Wasatch Front in late August, Ojeda quickly inserted himself into the RSL selection, appearing in seven regular-season and playoff games this past season for the Claret-and-Cobalt, starting six. Playing as both a two-way midfielder in the double pivot and as the six protecting a back four, Ojeda provided exhibitions of defensive tenacity, exquisite touch on the ball and passing vision moving forward.
Ojeda joined Nottingham Forest last August at the outset of their EFL Championship campaign, appearing in three matches following a South American club career in his native Paraguay and a year-long loan in Argentina. Throughout Ojeda’s first European season, the athletic two-way midfielder made four international appearances for Paraguay, each full FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ojeda has also made 16 appearances for La Albirroja youth international sides at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 (Olympic) levels.
As an 18-year-old, Ojeda made his professional debut with Paraguay’s oldest and most historically-dominant club, Olimpia, who he represented as a youth. Between December, 2018, and August, 2021, Ojeda made 40 appearances with Olimpia, while also spending time on loan in Argentina with first-division side Defensa y Justicia, appearing in 12 matches.
Ojeda became the youngest international on Real Salt Lake’s roster, the Paraguayan one year younger than Argentine MF Pablo Ruiz. Ojeda arrives as the Claret-and-Cobalt’s second-ever Paraguayan international, joining 2016 FW Pedro Báez. In MLS, Ojeda becomes the ninth Paraguayan, all but one playing in for Western Conference sides. During the League’s 27-year history, Ojeda became the 20th Paraguayan to appear, upon his first MLS minute in his Sept. 4 debut at eventual champion LAFC.
Major League Soccer’s U-22 initiative is designed to allow MLS clubs to add players age 22 and younger to rosters, often with lucrative contracts at a reduced budget charge, decreasing the risk associated with acquiring or retaining players still approaching their prime.
Player Details
#88 – Braian Ojeda
Pronunciation: BRY-an oh-HEY-duh
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
Hometown: Itauguá, Paraguay
Date of Birth: 27 June 2000 (22)
Nationality: Paraguayan
How Acquired: Signed via MLS U-22 initiative on loan from Nottingham Forest FC (England) on 4 August 2022
Utah’s Major League Soccer side returns in early January, 2023, as RSL’s preseason preparations in Utah and Arizona advance the Club’s 19th regular-season kickoff on the weekend of Saturday, February 25 to kick off the 28th MLS campaign. Over the past two seasons, RSL has earned an 18W-7L-9T home record at what is now known as America First Field in Sandy, setting a new Club mark in 2022 with 17 sellout crowds in as many MLS contests at the 14-year-old venue.
2023 Season Tickets can be purchased at www.RSL.com/tickets, or by calling 844.Real.Tix.
