RSL Academy Heads To MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs

FRISCO, Texas (Friday, June 16, 2023) - Real Salt Lake Academy U-15s (14-6-6, 20pts., 5th West) prepare to make another run to the MLS NEXT Cup final starting this Saturday, June 17 at 10:30 am MT against Chicago Sockers FC (8-5-1, 17pts, 2nd Mid-America) in the round of 32. The previous two years in Frisco at the Toyota Soccer Complex the U-15s have made it to the MLS NEXT Cup final. RSL Academy U15 side lifted the trophy in 2021 under the direction of Real Monarchs assistant coach Andrew May with help from current Real Salt Lake Homegrowns Jude Wellings and Luis Rivera. 

Within his first year directing the U-15s, head coach Jordan Allen has led the Real Salt Lake Academy U-15 squad to a 14W-6D-6L record in MLS NEXT regular season competition with all games having been played against other Major League Soccer academies. The U-15s have been dominant within tournament play this season as well, notching a 6W-1L-2D record across all competitions losing only to the academy of Belgium club KRC Genk within the round of 16 in GA Cup. During their most recent competition in MLS NEXT Flex the Real Salt Lake Academy U-15s allowed no goals and outscored their opponents by a differential of ten. 

This year’s U-15 side will be led by multiple outstanding youth players including midfielder Luca Moisa and young newcomers to the RSL Academy such as midfielder Lorenzo Tuch. Having already signed a professional contract with Real Monarchs, Moisa has been recognized by MLS NEXT as one of the most intriguing players to watch within his age group. Moisa has been consistently called upon to represent the United States Youth National Team U-15 squad along with his fellow teammates Juan Gio Villa, Omar Marquez, and Axel Uriostegui. 

Real Salt Lake Academy newcomers Tuch and Linkon Ream have also stood out this season for their performances on the pitch. Tuch since joining the RSL Academy by way of RSL Arizona has received a call up to train with the Guatemala U-15 Youth National Team, while making multiple goal contributions throughout the season. Ream has been a surprising standout within his first year with the RSL Academy transitioning from winger to fullback while being the youngest player on the U-15 team to net more than ten goal contributions during the 2022-2023 campaign.

RSL Academy’s opponent Chicago Sockers FC finished second in their division within regular season play posting an impressive record, which included a victory outscoring their opponents 9-0. Despite having an excellent regular season Chicago Sockers FC did not meet a Major League Soccer Academy in any competition, the RSL Academy U-15s will be the first MLS side that the Windy City squad will face.

In the single-elimination tournament, the winner of this match will advance to the round of 16 where they will face either the academy of MLS sides Chicago Fire or Atlanta United on Sunday, June 25. 

Coverage of this match and all future RSL Academy matches can be found on RSL.com and all of the RSL Academy Social channels.