Haedan Turner

Graduating Seniors Share Their Thoughts After Final Game

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy

In a perfect world coaches at the Grande Sports Academy home of Real Salt Lake Arizona Academy would love to bring every single player to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs that will be held in Dallas in two weeks. Unfortunately rosters are limited and coaches can only bring a set amount of players. Players who will not be making the trip spoke to GSA after the U-18, 8-2, season finale victory over Arsenal FC.

GSA –You scored a goal in your final game, what was that like?

Eric Gonzalez (3-year academy player) – “It was fun, I had to get a goal because I’ve been here for three years and I haven’t scored a single goal. So I went out looking for it and thankfully it happened. It’s nice to go out with a victory and a goal.”

GSA –Thoughts on leaving the academy?

Eric Gonzalez – “It’s exciting because I’m going off to college but it’s also bittersweet. I’m done here, I grew up here and I’ve matured as a player and a person at this place. I owe a lot to it so leaving is always a little tough.”

GSA – Scoring two goals in your last academy game, how does it feel leaving on a good note?

Amer Sasivarevic (1-year academy player) – “I just feel really happy that I scored to help my team get that 8-2 win. I couldn’t ask for anything else. I just feel really happy right now.”

GSA – Last academy game, what are your thoughts?

Haedan Turner (2-year academy player) – It’s been a long run and I’ve worked really hard for this opportunity. Really happy that I got to be a part of the team for the last moments and you could on see the scoreline we did really well today. I’m really happy.”

GSA – Last game how does it feel?

Brandon Johnston (1-year academy player) – “Well I’m glad I got rostered because I worked hard the week before the game and it paid off. I went in for about 10 minutes, I put in a good effort and I’m happy with the way everything ended up.”

GSA – Two goals in final game how does it feel?

Kostas Kotselas (1-year academy player) – “The whole season was a great experience playing with the team and the unity was “As One” like our motto says. I’m going to miss everything and the experience. It was a once in a lifetime chance spending 10 months with the team and I’m going to definitely miss everything that has happened here.”

Haedan Turner Celebrates High School Graduation

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy, Soccer News

Grande Sports Academy would like to congratulate the 24 seniors who celebrated graduation from High School this year.

Andrew Brody, Ive Burnett, Luis Chavez, Cesar Cobos, AJ Esparza, Elijah Evans, Danny Gavin, Eric Gonzalez, Trevor Hyman, Brandon Johnston, Isaias “Junior” Juarez, Kostas Kotselas, Riggs Lennon, Benjamin Lopez, Brandon Marquez, Antonio “Tony” Murillo, Jose “Coco” Navarro, Amer Sasivarevic, Jonathan Stadler, Tigran Tiraturyan, Aidan Tucker, Haedan Turner, Jose “Bean” Vasquez, Jon Zabasajja.

Haedan Turner, one of our International players from Canada, celebrated his High School graduation from Primavera High School last night with teammates Tigran Tiraturyan and Andres Irigoyen. Congratulations to all of our seniors and good luck at the next level. To see pictures from the two other graduation ceremonies click the links below.

Mission Heights Preparatory High School ceremony
Vista Grande High School ceremony

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Weekend Recap – Real Salt Lake U18’s & U16’s vs Arsenal

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy, Soccer News

Grande Sports Academy - Real Salt Lake U18 Academy vs Arsenal - Eric Gonzalez (3) The final regular season game for the Real Salt Lake U18’s & U16’s was this past weekend vs Arsenal FC. The U18’s needed a victory and some help to win the Southwest Division and the U16’s needed any points to secure the best possible playoff seeding. Below is the recap, pictures and video of a goal from the U18’s.

RSL U18 vs Arsenal U18

Starting XI: Luis Barraza (71′), Corey Nemeth, Jonathan Stadler, Santi Carrillo, Tigran Tiraturyan (65′), Andrew Brody (75′), Jon Zabasajja (46′), Jose Hernandez, Jose “Bean” Vasquez (75′), Coco Navarro, Amer Sasivarevic (73′)
Bench: Haedan Turner (75′), Miguel Martinez (71′), Kostas Kotselas (46′), Isaias “Junior” Juarez, Brandon Johnston (73′), Te Wihongi (65′), Eric Gonzalez (75′)

Pictures from the game here
Video of Tigran Tiraturyan’s goal here

It took Real Salt Lake U18’s 44 minutes to find the back of the net and once they did the onslaught was on. A season high eight goals were scored in the season finale against Arsenal FC at Grande Sports World. RSL finishes the season 19-5-4 for a second place finish in the Southwest Division, the highest finish in the three-year history for the academy.

After being down a goal for the majority of the half RSL equalized in the 45th minute when an Arsenal player was shown a second yellow for a vicious tackle from behind which sent him off. Tigran Tiraturyan stepped up and converted the free kick. Moments later RSL pressured the Arsenal backline which created a turnover. Coco Navarro found himself alone in the box and scored RSL’s second of the match.

One change at the half brought Kostas Kotselas into the game for Jon Zabasajja. His presence was felt 44 seconds later when he doubled RSL’s lead. Amer Sasivarevic scored the next 2 goals giving him 6 in 8 games. Te Wihongi entered the game before Sasivarevic’s second goal and created numerous defensive problems for Arsenal on the left side. In the 70th minute Wihongi sent in a low cross which lead to a blocked Navarro shot. Seconds later Wihongi made the same run again and sent in the low cross. This time Navarro would not be denied giving him his second goal in the game and his 20th on the season.

RSL’s 7th goal was scored by Kotselas from an Andrew Brody cross and second half substitute Eric Gonzalez broke free on the left-wing and beat the goalie near post for the final goal. It was Gonzalez’s first goal for the academy in the three years at GSA.

RSL did concede 2 goals in the game. The first was in the 10th minute when Arsenal countered and the second a remarkable shot. After Sasivarevic’s first goal, on the restart, an Arsenal player took a shot from halfway and scored a spectacular goal.

With the victory RSL’s U18’s finished in second place. They are tied with the LA Galaxy on points but the Galaxy have a better goal differential giving them the Division crown. RSL also looks like they have secured a pot #1 draw in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs which will be drawn on June 17th.

RSL U16 vs Arsenal U16

Starting XI: Christian Herrera, Moises Rodriguez, Luis Lopez, Dillion Nino, Jason Eng, Jack Gayton (56′), Fito Ovalle, Evan Waldrep (72′), Diego Silva, Josh Doughty, Damian German.
Bench: Bayley Scholz, Alex Knox (56′), Miles Stray (72′), Adam Ferguson, Nate Deaton

Pictures from the game here

Real Salt Lake U16’s already secured second place in the Southwest Division and needed one last strong showing to remain in the second pot for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. A 1-1 draw with Arsenal FC may not seem like the ideal result but the one point secured in this game will keep RSL in the second pot.

By remaining in the second pot, RSL will avoid having to play tougher competition in group play.

RSL started off well scoring in the 20th minute when Damian German pounced on a loose ball in the box but an unfortunate defensive miscue 5 minutes into the second half saw Arsenal equalize the game.

Chances in the game were limited for both sides due to the strong defensive performances. RSL’s defense lead by Dillion Nino and Jason Eng were active early blocking Arsenal shots and cutting off Arsenal attacks. Eng also started RSL’s most dangerous attack in the 30th minute when he and Josh Doughty connected for a quick counter up the right-wing. Doughty laid it off to Evan Waldrep who’s shot was deflected out.

After Arsenal’s goal, Damian German produced RSL’s final 2 chances. In the 48th minute he chipped the ‘keeper but put a little too much on the ball as it sailed over the crossbar. His last chance came in the 65th minute when his shot from the side was saved by the Arsenal ‘keeper who had to lay out.

Arsenal had one final chance but were once again stopped by Nino who had a stellar performance in the regular season finale. RSL closes out the season W17-L6-D5 and finished in second place in the Southwest Division, the highest finish in franchise history.

Picture Gallery – Real Salt Lake Academy U18 vs Arsenal

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy, Soccer News

Real Salt Lake U18’s scored a season high in goals and defeated Arsenal 8-2 in the final regular season game. The eight goals surpassed the previous high of 5 goals that were scored against Nomads SC on January 27th.

Goals were scored by: Coco Navarro (45′, 70′), Kostas Kotselas (46′, 75′), Amer Sasivarevic (57′, 67′), Tigran Tiraturyan (45′), Eric Gonzalez (85′).

We filmed the Tiraturyan goal. Watch it here.

Game recap here.

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Grande Sports Academy – RSL End Of The Year Video

Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy, Soccer News

Last week was the graduation party for the seniors at Vista Grande High School. Before they received their diplomas at the graduation ceremony a dinner was held at Fransisco Grande and a “End of the Year” video was shown.

The video has pictures of all the players, hilarious stories, interviews with the coaches and a few goals we were able to film this year. Enjoy the video below.

24 Grande Sports Academy Players Celebrate Graduation

Gallery, Grande News, Performance News, Real Salt Lake, Soccer Academy

Grande Sports Academy would like to congratulate the 24 seniors who celebrated graduation last night.

Before the players went over to Vista Grande High School (13 players attend this school) for the ceremonies, a dinner was held at Francisco Grande Hotel for the players family and friends. Ron Burks & Michael Saunders spoke to the graduates before a “end of the year” video full of highlights, jokes and a special message from the coaches was shown.

Check out the video here

The ceremony was held on the football field and was full-blown airfare with skydivers, kicking off the ceremonies, and fireworks ending the special night. Non-graduates from the academy attended the ceremonies and rushed to the field and essentially took over the graduation with numerous chants and celebrations. The video below is one of those celebrations. Pictures are below the video. Congratulations to all our seniors and good luck at the next level.

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