David Ochoa Deserves Start At Goalkeeper For Season Finale Against SKC

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake’s season is over as the Claret and Cobalt were eliminated from any possibility of participating in the upcoming MLS Playoffs after suffering defeat against LA Galaxy last Sunday evening.

That means that manager Freddy Juarez and his assistant coaches can now play younger players with no repercussions. Goalkeeper David Ochoa is one of those individuals that is deserving of his first start at the first-team professional level.

Patience Is A Virtue

Over the past month, Ochoa has sat on the bench patiently awaiting his time.

Starting Ochoa would be no knock on Andrew Putna, it is worth noting, Putna has served RSL admirably in goal this season making 38 saves and forcing 4 shutouts through 15 games in 2020.

However, Ochoa is potentially the goalkeeper of the future for not just RSL but the United States Men’s National Team. He has played in nine caps for the US U-18 and U-20 national teams and has long been thought of as the incumbent RSL goalkeeper following Nick Rimando’s retirement in 2019.

USL | 🇺🇸 David Ochoa – though just 18 years old – is probably the best #goalkeeper in the @USLChampionship. ⭐️

That’s a probably.

But you know what is NOT a probably?

David Ochoa is a USL Championship CHAMPION! 🏆

Congrats @RealMonarchs 🙌! pic.twitter.com/wr3rBBrsVY

— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) November 18, 2019

Now Or Never

Ochoa must be given the opportunity to prove his worth this upcoming Sunday against Sporting Kansas City.

The club has nothing to lose, literally nothing, by starting Ochoa over Putna. Rather, by giving Ochoa an opportunity this Sunday he can further assist the coaching staff in learning just where he is in terms of his development.

If Ochoa plays well then the coaches will feel much more confident in 2021 when they give him the starting job. If Ochoa does not get an opportunity to play in 2021 then they will continue to ponder when the time is right for Ochoa to be given him an opportunity.

Furthermore, if Ochoa does not see the field against Sporting Kansas City, the club risks potentially losing Ochoa to another team. At 19 years old, Ochoa is beginning to enter the age where if he does not play then his patience will likely wear thin and he could potentially request a move elsewhere to further pursue playing time.

It is now or never. Ochoa deserves the starting goalkeeper spot against Sporting Kansas City to bring a glimmer of hope to the RSL faithful ahead of the 2021 season.