RSL Preseason: Real Salt Lake's Zavier Gozo is ready for his close up

Real Salt Lake homegrown teenager Zavier Gozo has been among the young standouts during the club's preseason, which continues Wednesday at the Coachella Valley Invitational.

Courtesy photo, Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake found a #PlayYourKids moment during the club’s preseason match against USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC, and one local homegrown was a major beneficiary in the 3-0 win.

German-born midfielder Noel Caliskan and Utah native Zavier Gozo both found the scoresheet for RSL in the first half, and newly signed Tyler Wolff added another less than five minutes into the second half to lead Pablo Mastroeni’s side to its first win of the preseason.

Gozo, in particular, saw more than 70 minutes of play on his preferred right wing, slotting into a starting lineup alongside a young group that included Javain Brown, Sam Junqua, Tommy Silva and Caliskan in front of former Napoli goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.

Pablo Ruiz and Nelson Palacio also started in midfield, behind Wolff, Gozo, rookie attacking midfielder Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos and newly signed Australian striker Ari Piol.

But it was the youngsters, including the 17-year-old Gozo who signed his first professional contract with Real Monarchs two years ago, who impressed.

“Noel has been having a fantastic preseason, playing out of position as a right back but still finding ways to impact the game,” Mastroeni said, “and I think that’s really important for any player but particularly for players who aren’t regular starters, and what that does is that it just brings up the level of trust within the [whole] group, so that was really good from Noel.

“Gozo, also, was very opportunistic on his set-piece opportunity, had some really good actions within the game, and worked his tail off, and Tommy had a steady performance on both sides of the ball, so I think the important thing is to make sure that we’re taking steps in the right direction and I feel today those guys, in particular, had really good performances.”

Here’s what Gozo had to say after his 70 minutes and change in the Coachella Valley:

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On his first goal of preseason:

“It felt good. I feel like the boys are really working together, and the group is jelling. It felt great, obviously, to get my first goal. And the first of many.”

On his game as he works in with first team:
”I feel like I’m fitting in well. I feel like I’m just catching the tempo; obviously, it’s my second season with the preseason, so I’m catching this team a little bit, applying my strengths to the group, and helping out any way I can.”

On 75 minutes at right wing in win over Las Vegas Lights FC:
”It was good. It’s the most minutes I played with the first team. I’ve been waiting for my chance, and I’m fortunate the coaches were willing to give me that chance. I’m super grateful. It felt really good out there.”

On newcomers:
”I feel like the new guys really upped the group’s spirit. Everyone is friends with each other, and I feel like the atmosphere is really good.”

On playing in CONCACAF Champions Cup:
”I feel like all the boys are buzzing for that competition. It gives us so many more opportunities, for the CONCACAF Champions League and the league as well. Every month of the season, we’re going to have opportunities, and I’m looking forward to grinding that out.”

Real Salt Lake continues preseason play against the New York Red Bulls in the club’s Coachella Valley Invitational finale Wednesday, Feb. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MT on the club’s YouTube channel.