RSL GK David Ochoa Named To MLS Homegrown Roster
Jul 10, 2019, 2:38 PM
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake goalkeeper David Ochoa has been named to the MLS Homegrown Team for the 2019 MLS Homegrown Game.
The roster features some of Major League Soccer’s brightest young talents who will take on the Chivas de Guadalajara U-20’s in the sixth annual MLS Homegrown Game on Tuesday, July 30 at 3 p.m. at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“This is a great opportunity for David. He continues to show progress and it’s great that the league is recognizing him for his work,” Real Salt Lake Head Coach Mike Petke said. “After already playing in the U20 World Cup this is a good chance for him to gain experience and showcase himself.”
Ochoa signed with RSL prior to the 2019 season. He made his professional debut in 2018 with the Real Monarchs as an Academy call-up on April 22, 2018 and has since made nine starts in 2019 for the club in USL Championship.
This season he has a 4-3-2 record with three shutouts and a 1.44 GAA.
🗣 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗
Meet the roster for the 2019 #MLSHomegrown Game pres. by @Energizer. pic.twitter.com/fxwa2afwGy
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 10, 2019
“It’s a bit surprising, but I’m really happy and excited to be a part of a special group of the best Homegrowns in the league,” Ochoa said. “It’s a great platform and it’s great to see that I’m on the same path as the other RSL players that have had the opportunity to play in the Homegrown Game.”
In addition to his success at the club level, he was also a key contributor for the U.S. U-20 National Team in its run to the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, playing in two matches in the tournament.
He helped the U.S. contingent qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, earning shutouts in both matches he appeared in, including a 1-0 shutout of Honduras in the CONCACAF Championship semifinal round.
In previous years, Real Salt Lake has had defenders Carlos Salcedo, Justen Glad, Danilo Acosta, Phanuel Kavita, Brooks Lennon and Aaron Herrera.
Midfielders Jordan Allen and Jose Hernandez, and forward Sebastian Saucedo named to the roster for the Homegrown Game.
Ochoa is the first of RSL’s 10 representatives in the MLS Homegrown Game to have played at the Zions Bank Real Academy in Herriman, Utah.
