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Thanks/Gracias @RealSaltLake pic.twitter.com/Pq50sgbJ0E
— Carlos Salcedo (@csalcedojr) November 25, 2014
It isn't quite official, but don't bet on Carlos Salcedo being back with Real Salt Lake in 2015. The 21-year-old defender took to Twitter Monday night to announce that he has asked RSL not to pick up his team option for next season.
The surprising part of this surprising public statement came in the third graph, in which Salcedo explained his decision and took a shot at RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey.
"It is a decision based on personal differences with the GM at the club, who has, unfortunately, not kept his verbal commitments to myself or my father and has not at any point been interested in resolving our differences," Salcedo said in a written statement on his Twitter account.
Before saying his "Goodbye," Salcedo said he's looking forward to following the club "from a distance."
Seemingly unhappy with his lack of playing time, Salcedo also took to Twitter after RSL's 5-0 loss at L.A. on Nov. 9. His account apparently favorited several negative tweets regarding the club, coaching staff and his teammates.
"I'm not on Twitter for a reason," Lagerwey said of the situation on Nov. 12. "We need to sit with some of our guys and explain to them some of the responsibility that comes with being a professional athlete, behaving in a professional manner. I think there was some unacceptable behavior after the loss. Part of being a grown up and being a good pro is learning how to deal with adversity. It's also important to note that young players are young players: Young players make mistakes. It's an educational opportunity, it's a teaching opportunity, and we're going take it like that and we're going to sit down with those guys and explain why maybe some of that stuff wasn't a great idea to react on Twitter right after the game, maybe you turn your phone off for a little while. Because everybody's upset. When I was 19, 20 years old, I didn't make a lot of great decisions either.
"My wife tells me, 'The best thing that happened to me was that they didn't have Facebook when I was in college.' So I try and keep that perspective as well. Young kids do some rash things, we'll teach them and we'll get better."
First-year coach Jeff Cassar called the situation "tough" the same day.
"I will address it with that player face-to-face and we will address it, for sure," Cassar said. "There was a lot of frustration after that game and things were built up. But we'll address that within myself and that player."
Salcedo spent seven months at RSL's Arizona-based Academy in Casa Grande, Ariz., from Jan. 2012 through July 2012 before signing a contract with RSL in Jan. 2013. Prior to Casa Grande, he was part of Mexican club Tigres UANL's youth system. Before that, he played with RSL goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez at the Chivas Guadalajara Academy.
In 2013, Salcedo made the jump to full-time MLS contributor making 13 appearances, 12 of which were starts. He made his professional debut on May 4 against Vancouver coming on as a substitute in the 89th minute. This season he saw time in 12 matches, starting eight as he helped RSL down the stretch when center back Chris Schuler suffered several facial fractures on Oct. 5. He became the first Homegrown player in club history to notch a league goal in RSL's 5-1 rout over Colorado on Sept. 19. Salcedo also became a mainstay with the Mexican U-21 national team in 2014.
It is unclear whether RSL will decide to decline Salcedo's option or pick it up and explore trade options which seems likely at this point. Per an RSL team spokesman Monday night, the club has no comment on Salcedo or any player contracts until after the Dec. 1 option date.
-Chris Kamrani
Twitter: @chriskamrani