Once a week, RSL-Arizona Academy PR ace Garrett Cleverly will provide us with an update from the Casa Grande Academy. Garrett's latest update is below - Follow him and the Grande Sports Academy on Twitter and check the Grande Sports Academy blog, Facebook page and Instagram for all the latest info on RSL's youth development program.
The Academy teams played their last games of the regular season this weekend, with the U-18’s turning in a dominant 8-2 win over Arsenal FC and the U-16’s tying the same side 1-1 at Grande Sports Academy on Saturday. Both the U-18’s and the U-16’s finished the regular season second in the Southwest Division.
Both the U-18’s and the U-16’s qualified for the USSDA Playoffs and Showcase, which will be held from June 24-28 at FC Dallas Park in Frisco, Texas. The draw for the Academy Playoffs is scheduled for Monday, June 17. The top sides from the Academy Playoffs will advance to U.S. Soccer’s Finals Week in Houston from July 14-20.
Three academy players were called up to the U.S. U-17 MNT for the 2013 Caspian Cup in Azerbaijan. Academy players Brooks Lennon and Bofo Saucedo starred in the U.S.’s 11-0 win over Kyrgyzstan last week, both notching hat tricks in the Stars-and-Stripes’ dominant victory.
GSA Exports is our newest feature. It's where we track the progress of our former players who are playing at the next level. Academy alums featured in MLS, the MLS Reserve League and in PDL over the last week. Read about them all here.
24 academy seniors graduated from high school last week. Click here for pictures and a write-up of the ceremonies. Also check out our "End of the Year" video, featuring shots of all the players, hilarious stories, interviews with coaches and a few goals we were able to capture.
Watch CB Jonathan Stadler defeat U-18 coach Freddy Juarez in soccer tennis.
Interested in becoming a RSL-AZ player? The last tryout for the upcoming season is June 7-9. Details here.
Looking for a soccer camp this summer? RSL-AZ will have camps running through July. Details here.
