HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, January 13, 2022) – Real Salt Lake have signed defender Jaziel Orozco from Real Monarchs and the RSL Academy, the Club announced today. Orozco’s signing continues the Club’s long an impressive history of producing talent from within courtesy of its academy. Orozco joins RSL on a two-year contract.
“To find a center back with quality on the ball and who reads the game as well as Jaziel, is rare - to find it in a player his age is exceptional,” RSL General Manager Elliot Fall said. “Jaziel provides an ideal partner to our other young center backs and we’re excited to watch them develop over the next several years.”
After making his professional debut in the USL Championship on May 14, 2021 against LA Galaxy II, Orozco signed his first professional contract with Real Monarchs. Orozco immediately became a staple in the Monarchs backline, appearing in 24 matches, only missing time due to international duty. Orozco, 17, recorded 80 clearances, 26 interceptions and 14 blocks, second in every category for Real Monarchs last season, only behind veteran center back Kyle Adams.
As a result of his success with the Monarchs Orozco gained the attention of the Mexico National Team, earning several call ups to the U17 and U20 camps. In the lead up to CONCACAF Gold Cup he was invited to spend a month training with the senior team to help them prepare for its upcoming matches.
Prior to joining the RSL Academy Orozco had training stints with Liga MX clubs Tigres UANL and Santos Laguna before ultimately electing to sign with Real Salt Lake’s residency program in Herriman, Utah. In his one year with the Academy the El Paso, Texas native appeared in 14 matches at the U16 and U17 levels.
Orozco is the latest in a long line of defenders to graduate from the RSL Academy. Earlier this year fellow center back Zack Farnsworth signed his first professional contract. The two join a quartet of Homegrown Players that played pivotal roles during RSL’s historic run to the 2021 Western Conference Final, including Andrew Brody, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera and Erik Holt.
Player Information
Name: Jaziel Orozco
Pronunciation: HA-see-el OR-AHH-sco
Position: Defender
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 183 pounds
Date of Birth: June 2, 2004
Age: 17
Birthplace: Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Citizenship: United States and Mexico
Last Club: Real Monarchs
How Acquired: Signed on January 13, 2021
As of January 12, Real Salt Lake’s current roster headed into 2022 listed alphabetically by position is as follows:
Goalkeepers (4): Gavin Beavers, Jeff Dewsnup, Zac MacMath, David Ochoa
Defenders (9): Andrew Brody, Toni Datkovic, Zack Farnsworth, Justen Glad, Bret Halsey, Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, Jaziel Orozco, Marcelo Silva
Midfielders (7): Julio Benitez, Nick Besler, Scott Caldwell, Maikel Chang, Damir Kreilach, Pablo Ruiz, Jude Wellings
Forwards (6): Bode Davis, Chris Garcia, Jonathan Menendez, Justin Meram, Rubio Rubin, Bobby Wood
Real Salt Lake finished the 2021 season in dramatic fashion, booking its place in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on Decision Day before making a run to the Western Conference Final following a 14-14-6 regular season record. RSL will open the 2022 season on the road against Houston Dynamo FC on February 27 before returning to Rio Tinto Stadium for the home opener against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 7.
Tickets for Real Salt Lake’s home opener, as well as season tickets, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 844.REAL.TIX or visiting www.RSL.com/tickets.
TRANSACTION: Real Salt Lake have signed defender Jaziel Orozco as a Homegrown Player on January 13, 2022.
