Soccer Recap: GSA players, coach & alumnus shine at MLS All-Star Week

PORTLAND, Ore. – Six current and former members of Grande Sports Academy were featured at MLS All-Star Week, participating in the Generation adidas Elite Soccer Program Showcase and the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.

Grande Sports Academy’s Terrell Lowe, Erik “Gallo” Virgen, Aristotle Zarris and newcomer McKay Eves were selected for the Generation adidas ESP Showcase Central All-Star Team, coached by Freddy Juarez, to play in exhibitions against the East and West All-Stars in addition to FC Bayern Munich U-16.

GSA alumnus Carlos Salcedo was selected as one of the top Homegrown players in Major League Soccer for the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game against Portland Timbers U-23.

In the opening game of the adidas ESP Showcase against FC Bayern Munich U-16, the Central All-Stars overcame a 1-0 half time deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against the U-16 side of the reigning FIFA Club World Cup champions.

Terrell Lowe scored for the Central All-Stars in a 2-1 loss against the West, while the Central team finished out the competition with a 2-0 loss to the East All-Stars at Providence Park, home of the Portland Timbers.

“It was a really fun, really good event,” said McKay Eves. “Playing in the Portland Timbers stadium was definitely the biggest thing for me.”

At the end of the competition, Erik “Gallo” Virgen was named Most Valuable Player of the Showcase, adding yet another award to the list of those earned by Real Salt Lake-AZ teams and players.

“It was awesome,” said Virgen. “It felt really good coming home to my family and having that with me.”

In the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game, Real Salt Lake’s Carlos Salcedo started against Portland Timbers U-23, helping to secure a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw. Salcedo has made 18 appearances in his young RSL career, starting in 14 games for the Claret-and-Cobalt.