Real Salt Lake Goalkeeper David Ochoa Chooses To Represent Mexico Over US

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake goalkeeper David Ochoa has chosen to represent the Mexican National Team over the US National Team, he confirmed via a Players Tribune article.

“I’m choosing Mexico, and I really hope you understand. Even though it’s a personal, emotional decision, I hope it makes sense. It definitely does to me,” Ochoa stated in the article.

“Nunca seré completamente americano. Tampoco seré completamente mexicano, así que es donde me sienta más cómodo.”

El portero @davidochoa anuncia que jugará para @miseleccionmx.https://t.co/NmsXzLwq4t

— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 12, 2021

The reasoning for Ochoa’s decision does not come lightly. Ochoa has experienced a lot in just his short professional, including dealing with the death of his longtime mentor Des McAleenan who took his own life after suffering from depression in February of this year.

A large majority of the article details the relationship Ochoa had with McAleenan. Ochoa also mentions how upon reflection, he too has also suffered from depression throughout his life as well.

Moreover, the decision to join El Tri over the USMNT also comes down to the opportunity to play at an earlier age.

Ochoa, 20, has a bright future ahead of him. However, the USMNT has a long list of goalkeepers who are currently ahead of Ochoa in the pecking order. Manchester City backup Zack Steffen is the starting goalkeeper for the US, Nottingham Forrest goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is the backup, and following a very successful Gold Cup campaign New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner is third on the depth chart.

That is not the case at El Tri, however, who pegs Memo Ochoa as the starting goalkeeper. Memo is 36 years old and is in the midst of the final years of his career.

Ochoa has the potential to take over that reign in the short-term future.

Recently, Ochoa has spent time with both the USMNT and El Tri. He toured Europe and North America with the US and later spent a week training with El Tri during a FIFA international break.

Injury Optomism

Ochoa has been dealing with a minor injury and has not played for Real Salt Lake since July 24 when RSL beat Colorado at home 3-0. However, there is optimism that Ochoa could return to the starting XI this upcoming Saturday, August 14th when RSL hosts Austin.

RSL and Austin are scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. from Rio Tinto Stadium. The match can be streamed for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV app or on KSL Sports dot come.