Real Salt Lake's Arizona academy has produced some excellent players, including a number of standouts who haven't joined the team in some fashion.
We're taking a look today at some of the standouts from the U-17/U-18 team at the RSL-AZ academy in the 2011-12 season. With four from that group now with the RSL organization, it looks a lot like one of the more successful groups.
Jordan Allen (25 played, 24 starts)
No comment necessary. His standout performances now see him standing out at Real Salt Lake.
Ive Burnett, defender (30 played, 30 starts)
Burnett is playing at University of South Carolina as a defender, and while he's on the short side (think Joao Plata), it doesn't stop him from earning minutes. In 18 games, he also scored three goals and had an assist.
Elliott Farmer, goalkeeper (27 played 23 starts)
A goalkeeper at UC Irvine, Farmer didn't play in 2014 — he's behind Michael Breslin. He redshirted the 2013 season, which Breslin did in 2011. I'm not sure if that's a team thing or if it was down to an injury.
Danny Gavin, midfielder/forward (24 played, 14 starts)
Gavin, a sophomore at the University of Washington, played in 16 matches — but started only three. He played alongside current Seattle Sounders players Darwin Jones and Cristian Roldan.
Joshua Goss, midfielder (22 played, 10 starts)
A junior at the University of New Mexico, Goss played 18 games, starting six. He scored two goals and had two assists, which isn't a bad rate of return. He played alongside current Monarchs player Riley McGovern, as well as former RSL academy players Sam Gleadle and Lucas Seligman. Seligman was also a member of that '11-12 class.
Maikon Orellana, forward (26 played, 24 starts)
Now with Real Monarchs
Miguel Salazar, midfielder (26 played, 24 starts)
Salazar, a midfielder, is out there playing at Elon University as a midfielder, and in 2014, he added some goals to his game. He played 19 games, starting each, and scored three goals.
Carlos Salcedo, defender
Now with CD Guadalajara. Formerly with Real Salt Lake.
Etiandro Tavares, forward
With Real Monarchs
Ricardo Velazco, midfielder/forward
With Real Monarchs