The Real Salt Lake Academy capped its 2018/19 U.S. Soccer Development Academy regular season on Saturday, hosting Pateadores at the Zions Bank Real Academy. With both the U-17 and U-19 teams seeking a victory to push it further up the playoff standings, both teams fell at home to close out the regular season.
In the first match of the day, the U-17s were looking to solidify the fourth spot in the Southwest Division on the final day of the season. The younger group ultimately fell 3-1 with Abel Mendoza notching RSL’s lone goal of the day as the team settled for the fifth and final spot in the Southwest division. RSL claimed the fourth wildcard slot heading into next month’s playoffs.
The team finished its regular season led by Bode Davis who scored 11 goals in 20 matches played this season. Supplementing Davis’ scoring this season was forward Christopher Garcia who in 23 matches played, scored nine goals for the U-17s.
The RSL U-19s entered the weekend on the heels of Southwest Division leaders Barca Academy. Although the team wasn’t able to catch the Barca Academy in the final regular season standings, RSL looked to secure the second place in the standings. RSL fell 1-0 in a close match against Pateadores and ultimately secured the second-place position in the standings ahead of Pateadores due to a higher goal differential. RSL finished the regular season with a resounding +18 goal differential.
The RSL U-19s were led by senior forward Ben Ortiz who finished the 2018/19 regular season with 10 goals scored in 19 games played. The U-19s were also led by RSL first team members Luis Arriaga and Julian Vazquez who scored nine and five goals respectively on the year. Midfielder Bryce Duke came in second place on the team’s scoring charts with eight goals in 22 matches played.
The RSL Academy now turns its attention to the USSDA playoffs beginning June 17 at SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside, California. The U-19s will begin play on June 17 and feature in matches on June 19, and June 21 with the knockout round commencing on June 24. The U-17s will open the USSDA playoffs on June 18, followed by matches on June 20 and June 22 before the knockout round on June 25. All of RSL’s opponents have yet to be determined.
