Another battle for dual-eligible Mexican-American talent is unfolding around one of Real Salt Lake's top young prospects.
Journalist Brian Sciaretta took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon to state the possibility that RSL Homegrown Player and US youth international Sebastian Saucedo could join Mexico's U-20s in the coming week. The news was later confirmed by a Mexican Football Federation announcement of his inclusion in the U-18 roster in preparation for the U-20 cycle, potentially portending a change in allegiance for the attacking-minded midfielder from Park City, Utah.
Saucedo, widely known by his nickname, "Bofo," has long been a part of the US youth national team system and was most recently called into coach Tab Ramos' US U-20s side for a tournament in Serbia in August.
The Mexico camp, which features two unofficial scrimmages against Canada, does not affect his long-term eligibility for either country. The Mexican roster includes Real Monarchs goalkeeper Christian Herrera, a former US youth international with whom Saucedo played in Salt Lake's academy system.
A product of RSL's Arizona academy who spearheaded that program's U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-15/16 national championship run in 2013, Saucedo signed with the senior team in July 2014 after turning heads by winning the Golden Ball, an effort highlighted by a memorable long-range goal (see above), in the 2014 Generation adidas Cup.
He spent most of the 2015 season on loan at Real Monarchs, the club's USL team, but did make nine MLS appearances, including one start, totaling 168 minutes of action. For the Monarchs, Saucedo posted two assists in seven starts.
