CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The 2013 Sarasota Academy Showcase kickoffs on Wednesday and the Real Salt Lake U-16 and U-18 Academy have been matched up against stiff competition from around the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Schedule for the Showcase is below.
The Real Salt Lake U-18 will put their seven-match undefeated streak to the test, as they have been matched up against the New York Red Bulls and Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Soccer Academy, who are the current leaders in the Northeast and Mid-America Division’s, respectively. Last year, NYRB defeated SSMSA in the championship match at Finals Week, 2-1. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s final opponent is D.C. United, who is a mid-table team in the Atlantic Division. The RSL U-18 team is one of six teams in the nation to remain unbeaten in league play; NYRB U-18 is one of the six teams, as well. Co-captain Jose Hernandez leads the U-18 team in scoring with 5, while Niki Jackson and Eric Carbajal have found the back of the net 4 times.
RSL’s U-16 team has suffered just one loss this season, is leading the Southwest Division and boosts a +26 goal differential. The U-16s week may not be as daunting as the U-18s, but it will still provide some tough matchups. RSL has been paired up with the Chicago Magic PSG, who is leading the Mid-America Division, and fellow MLS Academies: Philadelphia Union, who is third in the Atlantic Division, and Chicago Fire, who are near the bottom in the Mid-America Division. Sebastian “Bofo” Saucedo leads the RSL U-16 team in scoring with six and is followed by Josh Doughty, who has notched five.
Miles Stray – U-15/16 Blue Select Team – and Christian Herrera – U-17/18 Red Select Team – were both named to one of the four Academy Select Rosters, which was selected by U.S. Soccer technical advisors. The Academy Red and Blue Select teams for the U-15/16s kick off at 4 p.m. MT on December 12th and will be followed by the U-17/18 match at 6 p.m. MT at the Premier Sports Campus.
Last year, U-15/16 defender Justen Glad was selected to participate in the Select match. His performance in the match did not go unnoticed as he was offered a spot in the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida, which he accepted.
Match times are EST.
| Date | Team | Team | Time EST | Field | |
| Wed., Dec 11 | Real Salt Lake U-18 | vs. | Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Soccer Academy U-18 | 1:15 PM | Premier Sports Complex – Field 2 |
| Thur., Dec 12 | Real Salt Lake U-18 | vs. | New York Red Bulls U-18 | 12:15 PM | Premier Sports Complex – Field 3 |
| Thur., Dec 12 | Real Salt Lake U-16 | vs. | Chicago Magic PSG U-16 | 3:30 PM | Premier Sports Complex – Field 18 |
| Fri., Dec 13 | Real Salt Lake U-16 | vs. | Chicago Fire U-16 | 10:00 AM | Premier Sports Complex – Field 3 |
| Sat., Dec 14 | Real Salt Lake U-18 | vs. | D.C. United U-18 | 11:15 AM | Premier Sports Complex – Field 8 |
| Sun., Dec 15 | Real Salt Lake U-16 | vs. | Philadelphia Union U-16 | 9:00 AM | Premier Sports Complex – Field 14 |