RSL Academy Look to Run it Back

Last year, Major League Soccer introduced its new league, MLS NEXT, and with it the MLS NEXT Cup, a tournament designed to pit the best youth teams against each other in a culmination of the season. In 2021 the Real Salt Lake Academy U-15s shockingly upset the Philadelphia Union 2-0, to lift the first-ever MLS NEXT Cup trophy. 

And now they have the chance to do it again. 

Head Coach Andrew May has once again led his crop of U-15s to the MLS NEXT Cup final, defeating their opponents in the first four matches by a combined score of 8-2. 

For years the Claret-and-Cobalt have become synonymous with youth development, leading the league in Homegrown signings and academy contributions at the Major League Soccer and second division levels. 

But until last year the RSL Academy had not lifted a national trophy since 2013, nor had it done so since relocating from Arizona to Herriman, Utah. However, now in consecutive years, Real Salt Lake has the opportunity to be crowned the best in the United States. 

In 2021, the U-15 squad faced Orlando City, Total Futbol Academy, Sockers FC, San Jose Earthquakes, and Philadelphia Union on their way to lift the cup. In that span of matches, they scored 14 goals while only conceding four times.

The captain from that squad, midfielder Jude Wellings, and the 2021 Golden Boot winner, forward Axel Kei, have since signed Homegrown player contracts with Real Salt Lake, both playing consistently with Real Monarchs in the MLS NEXT Pro, the league’s second division team. 

This year, the squad has defeated BW Gottschee Academy, Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire, and Sacramento Republic on the way to a return to the final, scoring eight goals and holding their opponents to just 2 goals.

Leading this year’s squad is defender Luis Rivera, who at 14 years old has already made his professional debut with Real Monarchs. Meanwhile, the team’s leading goalscorer this tournament, Zavier Gozo (four goals), is a mainstay with the U-15 United States Men’s National Team. 

While there is a bit of deja vu between last year’s championship run and this year’s, one step still remains. 

That step? Defeating Inter Miami. 

In order to lift the trophy Real Salt Lake will have to overcome Inter Miami, a club with some unique ties to the Claret-and-Cobalt. RSL Legend Javier Morales is a coach for the team and his son, Javier Morales Jr., runs the midfield, serving as their star player. It will be a matchup unlike any other that kicks off on Saturday, July 2 at 6:00 p.m. MT. The final will be streamed live on Twitch and on YouTube.