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News, Blog and GuidesThe 17-year-old midfielder made his first MLS start against Vancouver Whitecaps and provided two assists in a dramatic turnaround victory.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Mar 27th, 2024 11:04 EDT0
He may only be 17 years old but Real Salt Lake star Fidel Barajas looks right at home in MLS. The Sacramento-born midfielder joined the club from USL Championship side Charleston Battery over the off-season and has impressed in his first few top flight appearances.
He came off the bench against Inter Miami in his team’s 2024 opener and picked up a more minutes in games against St Louis City and Colorado Rapids. However it was last weekend, with Diego Luna away on international duty, that Barajas got the opportunity to feature from the start and he provided a match-winning performance for Pablo Mastreoni’s side.
Barajas played the full 90 minutes on the left of midfield, setting up both goals in RSL’s turnaround victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The first assist, in particular, demonstrated Barajas’ playmaking talents; driving through the midfield and slipping a neat disguised pass through for Anderson Julio to finish.
Ando said GAME ON 😤 pic.twitter.com/VaJTsrYuHC
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 24, 2024
Reflecting on his contribution, Barajas said: “It was a really good experience, the perfect opportunity to be honest in these past four games. The game was really good, we had a difficult first half but the second half started leaning towards us and luckily I got to get on the scoresheet with two assists.”
Barajas feeling settled after productive RSL preseason
After impressing across two seasons with Charleston, winning USL Champions Young Player of the Year in 2023, Barajas drew attention from clubs across MLS and Liga MX. The 17-year-old has represented both USMNT and Mexico at youth levels but opted to stay in the US for the first big move of his career.
He signed a three-year deal with RSL in January, with the option of a further two years included in the contract, and took part in the first team’s preseason training camp in Portugal. Reflecting on his quick start to life in MLS, Barajas points to the experience gained on that European trip.
“I’m young, I was nervous and I didn’t know what to expect. They brought up different players from the youths and the second team, who are about my age, so that made me feel more comfortable. By the second and third game, and coming back here from Portugal, I felt like I was comfortable with everyone and wasn’t thinking of myself as some 17-year-old kid. I was like everyone else, just another player doing their job.”
