Over the course of the last four years, Real Monarchs SLC has continually provided an element of depth to the Real Salt Lake pyramid, having now developed seven players that have made the jump to the first team.
Being a club that prides itself on developing players from the Academy level up, RSL is able to use the Monarchs – one of the premier clubs in the United Soccer League – to ready players for Major League Soccer in a fluid manner.
In an effort to build the most influential growth pyramids in American soccer, RSL has garnered success in MLS by playing its kids. A massive piece to the pyramid puzzle, the Monarchs are placed directly in the middle of the structure in between MLS and the RSL Academy, providing a tangible vision for players working to pursue top-flight dreams. With the Monarchs, players already know what is expected of them if the chance to suit up for RSL arrives.
“Playing for the best USL team allows you to grow as a player and when you get that chance to go train with the first team, it does not feel like a massive jump because the level of play is still high at the Monarchs training,” goalkeeper Andrew Putna explained. “Coming from a smaller college and being drafted by the club, the Monarchs really taught me what level I needed to play at on a consistent basis to continue growing as a player.”
Four players currently on RSL’s roster made the jump to the first team having already played for the Monarchs, establishing themselves as MLS-ready individuals during their time with the USL side. Defenders Nick Besler and Taylor Peay together with goalkeepers Connor Sparrow and Putna all started their journey to RSL with the Monarchs and have shown just within the last year how valuable the USL stepping stone is for a club attempting to generate growth from the inside. Additionally, many of the young players who are making their names with RSL now got their first professional experience while playing on loan with the Monarchs. Defenders Justen Glad and Danilo Acosta both saw extended action with the Monarchs before becoming regulars and Sebastian Saucedo took advantage of opportunities to play at the USL level to gain experience and confidence to make the jump to regular first-team minutes this season.
Praise has been heaped upon the Monarchs for its USL performances after one of the best seasons in the league’s modern history in 2017 and in attempt to one-up itself in 2018, currently leads the league through 21 matches played. Despite winning games and cementing itself as a USL elite, the Monarchs success has much deeper meaning for the club than just numbers in the win column. Contributing to the overall greater success of the club comes players who know what it takes to be successful and the standards that need to be upheld year-round to reach championship goals.
“Success at the USL level taught me never to settle,” Sparrow said. “It also gave me the confidence to step on the field at the MLS level and compete like nothing had changed.”
Knowing what is expected when players are involved with both teams also creates a sense of familiarity within the groups, creating a sort of ‘plug and play’ with every player involved. A similar identity and style of play between the clubs also generates a sense of familiarity for players and fans alike as the club continues to grow.
“I know how the Monarchs play having played with them last year and I know how the first team plays because I’m with them now,” Peay said. “Two very similar styles of play, which is what you want at a club. It gives the two teams an identity.”
