RSL homegrown Bofo Saucedo is having a breakout season, but road form still tests the club

HERRIMAN — Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke knows there is still another gear that rising star Sebastian "Bofo" Saucedo needs to reach his full potential.

But Petke has to smile at the breakout season the RSL Academy product from Park City is having.

"We had a conversation with Bofo in L.A., and I think from that point on, things started to finally click with him," Petke said Thursday after training at the academy. "I think he can be much better still, but that’s a compliment to him.

"He realized that I’m willing to give opportunities to people who earn it, and that’s where it starts."

Saucedo, who is in his third season since signing with RSL in 2014, received another honor Thursday when Major League Soccer said he was one of 18 players selected to the MLS Homegrown Game. The squad of young talent will face Mexico’s Tigres UANL Under-20s in the fifth-annual game at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground during MLS All-Star week Tuesday, July 31, at 6 p.m. MDT.

Salt Lake has been well-represented in the league's annual showcase of Under-23 talent. Former defensive standout Carlos Salcedo was among the first players named to the event, and it continued with defenders Danny Acosta, Justen Glad, Phanuel Kavita and Brooks Lennon, as well as midfielders Jordan Allen and Jose Hernandez.

The annual event puts RSL's academy, which recently moved to Herriman after nearly a decade in Casa Grandes, Arizona, in the spotlight — and it’s a chance for Saucedo to put a spotlight on his own hometown of Park City.

"It's good for us to test ourselves against one of the best Mexican clubs and to help us make a name for ourselves," Saucedo said. "As young players, we can go back to our club, knock on the boss’ door and say, 'We deserve to play as well.'

"It's an opportunity for all the young guys to showcase themselves."

Saucedo won’t need to knock on Petke’s door to beg for playing time. After bouncing between RSL's second-division side Real Monarchs and a season-long loan to Mexico's Tiburones de Veracruz, Saucedo has cemented himself as a starting wing on a Real Salt Lake squad that is 9-8-2 and sits at fourth place in the league’s Western Conference at the midway mark of the season.

Saucedo scored his first career MLS goal in a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC, then followed it up with his first goal at Rio Tinto Stadium for two goals and two assists as a third-year pro.

That conversation in Los Angeles with Petke gave Saucedo the confidence to push for a starting role — and the rest has been history.

"The most important thing was the opportunity I got from the coaching staff," Saucedo said. "Then I got one goal, and it gave me confidence knowing that I can do whatever is needed to help this team. It’s all up to me keep that spot."

As good as Real Salt Lake has been at home — the club is unbeaten in nine-straight league contests at Rio Tinto Stadium — the next step is to translate the team’s home form to the road.

At just 1-7-1 away from Sandy, RSL is among the worst teams in the West on the road. But Saturday’s match at ninth-place Minnesota United FC could spell opportunity against a club that is just 6-11-1 on the season with a pedestrian 5-3-1 mark at home.

"What we’ve done on the road so far has been three-quarters of a game," Petke said. "But we need 90 minutes of it. That’s what we’re focusing on (against Minnesota).

"It really just comes down to mentality, and buying in and following the game plan."

The match, which kicks off at 6 p.m. MDT, will stream live on KSL.com and the KSL TV app.

See more of Saucedo's story from Park City to RSL standout in the KSL TV app.

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