RSL Academy Adds Three Ahead of Second Half of 2021-22 Season

HERRIMAN, Utah (January 14, 2022) – Heading into the second half of the 2021-22 MLS NEXT Season, the RSL Academy bolstered its rosters with the additions of forward Kevin Hernandez, defender Jonathan Orduna and midfielder Josue Reyes. 

Hernandez comes to Real Salt Lake from El Paso, Texas and the Athletic Club in El Paso, where RSL Homegrown Jaziel Orozco first made his start. Meanwhile, Reyes hails from San Diego, California where he played for Chula Vista FC.   

Orduna is the latest in a long line of players to come to the RSL Academy by way of RSL-AZ, joining Real Salt Lake Homegrown Players like Julio Benitez and Zack Farnsworth.  

The RSL Academy closed the first half of the season and the 2021 calendar with undefeated runs at the MLS NEXT Fest from both the U15 and U17 teams with each earning three wins during the tournament.   

The U15s are currently ranked third in the MLS NEXT West Division for league play and first in the MLS NEXT Northwest Division for Inter League play. The U17s are currently fourth in the MLS NEXT West Division and fifth in the MLS NEXT Northwest Division for Inter League play.  

The U15s are led by Head Coach Andrew May, while the U17s will enter the year under new leadership with the addition of former RSL Homegrown Player Jordan Allen as the team’s new head coach.  

Both teams in the RSL Academy will return to MLS NEXT play for the first time in the calendar year on February 19 at San Jose Earthquakes in Livermore, Calif.