Real Salt Lake Academy learned who it will face in the upcoming USSDA playoffs earlier this week as the teams prepare to open respective playoff runs on June 17.
The RSL U-19s will feature in Group H, along with Bethesda FC, Crossfire Premier and fellow MLS side Atlanta United FC. The RSL U-17s were drawn into Group E of this year’s playoffs, with FC Westchester New York, Real Colorado and Toronto FC. All playoff matches will be held at SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside, California.
The U-19s will play Atlanta United FC on June 17, Bethesda FC on June 19 and Crossfire Premier on June 21with a potential quarterfinal appearance scheduled for June 24. The 17s are scheduled to open its playoff run on June 18 against Real Colorado followed by matches on June 20 against Toronto FC and FC Westchester on the 22 with a potential quarterfinal appearance on June 25.
The RSL U-17s claimed the fourth wildcard slot heading into next month’s playoffs. The team finished its regular season led by Bode Davis who scored 11 goals in 20 matches played this season. Supplementing Davis’ scoring this season was forward Christopher Garcia who in 23 matches played, scored nine goals for the U-17s.
The RSL U-19s ultimately secured the second-place position in the standings ahead of Pateadores due to a higher goal differential. RSL finished the regular season with a resounding +18 goal differential.
The RSL U-19s were led by senior forward Ben Ortiz who finished the 2018/19 regular season with 10 goals scored in 19 games played. The U-19s were also led by RSL first team members Luis Arriaga and Julian Vazquez who scored nine and five goals respectively on the year. Midfielder Bryce Duke came in second place on the team’s scoring charts with eight goals in 22 matches played.
