Real Salt Lake- Arizona Elite U-18/17 team played their last two scrimmages on Thursday night, hosting Next Gen USA from New Jersey, before both teams kick off their 2016 SC del Sol Presidents Day Tournament campaign this weekend.
The match was merely a friendly in preparation for the upcoming tournament, but both teams came out with an impressive show of skill. In the end it was RSL-AZ that came out on top, courtesy of a pair of goals from Jesus Garcia, but neither team came out unhappy.
Grande Sports and Next Gen USA have had a close relationship for quite a while now.
Next Gen USA has been using Grande Sports World facilities as a host while preparing for the Presidents Day Tournament for the past two years. Head coach Kevin McCarthy said that the team loves the facility and enjoys practicing on its fields.
“These are, I think the best facilities in the country,” McCarthy said. “The fields are fantastic, the rooms are great, and our boys absolutely love the food. It’s like soccer heaven here.”
You can catch all of RSL-AZ Elite and Next Gen USA matches this weekend at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in north Phoenix, and make sure to follow @GrandeSportsA for live play-by-play for RSL-AZ Elite matches.