Acquired
RSL: Signed to contract as a Homegrown Player on 9/15/11 (ineligible to play until 2012)
Real Salt Lake broke new ground last fall when it agreed to terms with Nico Muñiz, making the midfielder the first RSL-Arizona Academy member to jump straight to the “big club” from Casa Grande. While technically unable to perform for the MLS outfit until the new year, the now 19-year-old Muñiz joined the first team in Utah upon the announcement in September, giving him a leg up on preparations for his first professional campaign with what amounted to a seven week “sneak peek.” Muñiz started three of his six appearances (346 min.) as a regular call-up for the RSL Reserves in 2011, and the Albuquerque native should expect to see his development continue largely through opportunities in MLS Reserve League fixtures during the 2012 campaign.
RSL-Arizona Academy
Was a main cog in the RSL-Arizona Academy Under-18 squad that enjoyed plenty of success in its first season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in 2010/11 (Sept. 2010-June 2011), scoring 11 goals while starting 27 of his 29 regular season and playoff appearances … Helped the RSL-AZ U-18s to a third-place finish (9-6-3, 30 pts) behind established powers Arsenal FC and Pateadores in the SoCal Division – the Arizona squad placing just three points behind the duo – and an overall record of 15-8-5 … Started in all three of RSL-AZ U-18s’ appearances in the opening round of the 2010/11 USSDA postseason at Pizza Hut Park in late June, helping the squad to a 2-1-0 mark and the cusp of qualification for the “Finals Week” championships … Played 83 min. on 7/24 v. Sockers FC (IL) in 3-0 win and 50 min. on 7/25 in a 4-0 triumph over Cal Odyssey … Went full 90 minutes in decisive group contest v. NY Red Bulls on 7/27 (0-3 L) … Helped represent RSL-Arizona Academy in the Gordan Jago Super Group at the prestigious Dallas Cup XXXII, also at Pizza Hut Park, in April, during which the squad went 1-2-0 in contests against Mexican side Tigres (4/17, 1-3 L), Brazil’s SC Corinthians (4/18, 1-4 L) and fellow MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy (4/20, 2-0 W)
Misc.
As a member of the EduKick program, trained with the youth side of Spanish club AD Alcobendas in Madrid from Sept. 09 – June 2010 … EduKick is a education boarding school and soccer academy/camp program that features programs across the globe for young players ages 10-17 … Served trials with AD Colmenar and Pozuelo of the Spanish Third Division … Played his club soccer for Elite FC in his hometown of Albuquerque from the ages of 12-16, helping the squad to state championships in each of his five years under coach Gabe Nosseir … Played in the Region IV Olympic Development Program through the age of 15.