Savarino, Ojeda Named To National Team Rosters
Nov 14, 2022, 2:20 PM
Jefferson Savarino gazes into the distance at Q2 Stadium during the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs. (Photo by Laura Dearden/Real Salt Lake)
(Photo by Laura Dearden/Real Salt Lake)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake forward Jefferson Savarino has been named to the Venezuelan National Team while midfielder Braian Ojeda has been named to the Paraguay roster.
Savarino & Venezuala
Both friendlies will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Venezuela will play Panama on Tuesday, November 15, and Syria on Sunday, November 20.
The friendlies occur during an awkward time in the world of soccer given that the FIFA World Cup is set to begin on Sunday, November 20, in Qatar. Unfortunately, Venezuela was unable to qualify for the biggest tournament in the world, hence the friendly fixtures upcoming.
Getting the nod 🇻🇪
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 14, 2022
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Savarino re-joined Real Salt Lake in 2022 and starred for the Claret and Cobalt. He appeared in 20 regular season games and the playoff fixture against Austin in his triumphant return.
Savarino is the centerpiece of the Real Salt Lake attack and will be featured heavily throughout the 2023 campaign. It remains unknown who will be surrounding Savarino in the attacking third next year. His countryman and fellow RSL forward, Sergio Córdova, was not named to the national team roster despite featuring heavily throughout the world cup qualification.
Ojeda & Paraguay
Ojeda will travel to Lima for a fixture against Peru on Wednesday, November 16, before playing Colombia in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, November 19.
Ojeda is currently on loan with Real Salt Lake from English Premier League side Nottingham Forest. The loan is set to expire in the summer of 2023, however, Real Salt Lake does have a purchase clause on the loan.
Taking his talents to the international stage 🇵🇾
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 14, 2022
During his 2022 season exit interviews with the media, Ojeda confessed that he hopes to sign with Real Salt Lake permanently following the conclusion of the loan.
Ojeda immediately became Real Salt Lake’s most pivotal midfielder. His physical nature provided a perfect platform for Ojeda to thrive in Major League Soccer.
Future Key Offseason Dates
- Nov. 16 – Free Agency Opens (11 a.m. MT)
- Nov. 17 – Re-Entry Process, Stage 1 (11 a.m. MT); End of Year Waivers (3 p.m. MT)
- Nov. 22 – Re-Entry Process, Stage 2 (11 a.m. MT)
- Dec. 21 – 2022 MLS SuperDraft presented by Adidas
- Jan. 3 – 7 – 2023 MLS Preseason Begins
- Feb. 25 – 2023 MLS Season Kicks Off
