Real Salt Lake and Grande Sports World today announced that Martin Vasquez has been appointed Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-16 and U-18 teams of the Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy.
In addition to his roles with the burgeoning RSL-Arizona program, Vasquez will also serve as the Director of Soccer for Grande Sports World and Grande Sports Academy, the home of the RSL-AZ Academy, based in Casa Grande, Arizona.
"It is a great honor and a dream come true to be able to make a positive impact on the young men at the Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy, who we hope to develop into great players for Real Salt Lake, Grande Sports World and universities around the country," said the 47-year-old Vasquez. "I am looking forward to achieving great things both on and off the field with the academy players."
Vasquez brings a wealth of international playing and coaching experience at the highest levels to his new post, having suited up in the national team colors of both the United States and Mexico in addition to spending several seasons with a handful of Mexican Primera Division and Major League Soccer clubs before embarking on his coaching career. At Grande Sports Academy, Vasquez is reunited with Real Salt Lake-Arizona coach Mike Muñoz, who played under Vasquez while an assistant coach for Major League Soccer's Chivas USA from 2005-06.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Martin again and look forward to seeing how his knowledge of the game and his inspiration impacts our players," said Muñoz, who garnered the USSDA's U-15/16 Coach of the Year honor just a few weeks ago.
