Links, Links & More Links – Grande Sports Academy Coverage

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – This summer has been busy, and the past few weeks seem like a blur. To keep up to date with all the information that came out of Houston here is a quick guide to all the important news stories from the past few weeks.

–The Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy claimed their first ever national title when the U-16 team defeated Solar Chelsea 4-2 in the U.S. Soccer Development Championship game in Houston, Texas at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, July 20th. Goals were scored by: Brooks Lennon, Sebastian “Bofo” Saucedo, Justen Glad and Evan Waldrep.

–With the victory, Real Salt Lake has become the first ever residential academy in the nation to win the title. Below are some links for extended coverage of the championship game.

–Pictures from the game
–Recap from the game
–Post-match quotes
–Medal presentation
–Trophy presentation
–Players sing “Believe”

–Diego “Diablo” Silva was named by MLSsoccer.com as one of the Top 5 players of the US Soccer Development Academy finals.

–Before Finals Week, Justen Glad and Brooks Lennon were called up by the U-17 MNT to participate in an international tournament in Niigata, Japan. Both players talked about that experience in a Q&A.

—Benji Lopez became the 4th Grande Sports Academy graduate to sign with Real Salt Lake. Previous signings are: Nico Muñiz, Lalo Fernandez and Carlos Salcedo. The latter two are still with RSL.

–GSA Graduate and current Real Salt Lake player Lalo Fernandez made his professional debut in a scoreless draw when RSL loaned him out to USLPRO side Phoenix FC for one game.

–Recent GSA graduate Jon Zabasajja was called up by RSL to play in a reserve game.

–Real Salt Lake was named the 2012-13 West Conference recipient of the Style of Play Award.

–Coco Navarro and Ive Burnett were named to the West Conference U-17/18 Starting XI.

–Jose Hernandez and Justen Glad were named to the West Conference U-15/16 Starting XI.