SAN DIEGO, California - For a player who wanted to challenge himself at the highest level it was a rather simple decision.

So goalkeeper Keon Parsa left behind the comfort and familiarity of his Los Angeles Rampage club in order to join the Development Academy with Real So Cal this season. He played the first game in his new digs Friday as Real took on the San Diego Surf at the San Diego Polo Grounds during the Surf College Cup tournament and things couldn’t have begun any better.

Parsa entered in the second half and helped protect a 3-0 lead as his team took a breezy 4-0 victory, making for an auspicious beginning for the ambitious keeper.

“I just wanted to be a part of the Academy, it was that simple,” Parsa said. “The difference here is night and day. The competition, the speed of play - it’s a different challenge.”

But Day 1 wasn’t much of a challenge at all for the Stanford commit. Parsa was able to show some of his special skill - particularly agility and anticipation. He made a great play coming off his line after San Diego’s Jacob Holt made a service that Zachary DeVille volleyed for a shot attempt.

But for the most part, Parsa’s team kept him out of harm’s way during the match.

Parsa has known most of his Real So Cal teammates for years, accustomed to battling them as a rival. But he saw a whole new side of the group Friday behind players like Victor Chavez, Estanilao Arevalo.        

“They kind of gave me a hard time when I first came because of our history,” Parsa said. “But everything has been great with them, it really hasn’t been much of an adjustment.”

In some ways, things are probably easier for Parsa as he joins the best collection of talent he has ever played with. In teammate Benjamin Gold, he has a fellow goalkeeper to compete against and measure himself with. Not that Parsa doesn’t feel he has areas to work on as it is.

“I’m not the tallest keeper, I would like to improve my air game,” Parsa said. “I think that’s something all keepers can always work at.”

In Friday’s win, Chavez got Real So Cal off on the right foot and led the way in a lopsided affair. The gifted forward took a cross from Jeffrey Koval and headed it past Will Whiddon early in the first half.
Chavez is still riding high from his FIFA World Cup tour with the U.S. U17 team and it’s easy to see why U.S. soccer has seemingly grown fond of Chavez over the past year. He has the perfect size and build that gives him a distinct advantage over his peers and is blessed with great soccer instincts.

Real midfielder Fabian Garcia also had a good game. Garcia makes great turns with the ball and combined with his strikers to create good chances.

Meanwhile Parsa was watching it all unfold; enjoying his first Academy victory and appreciating his newfound firepower.

“Definitely a good decision,” he said.