RSL Academy Shines Against Breakers FC in MLS NEXT Flex Play

RSL Academy vs. Breakers FC

March 19, 2023; Herriman, Utah

RSL Academy 2022/2023 MLS NEXT Flex Records: U-15 Team 8W-2L-1D, U-17 Team 7W-3L-1D

U-17 RSL 4-1 Breakers FC

Returning from their trip to England the U-17’s looked to gain a win while relying on recently promoted players from the RSL U-15 side, including Monarch’s Luca Moisa. Within the opening minutes of the match against Breakers FC the U-17s made a flurry of chances, none of which were fruitful. The first half concluded in a 0-0 draw as both teams headed to the locker room. 

In the second half RSL U-17’s began to attack Breakers FC on the counter and in the 52nd minute Moisa connected a pass with Anthony Ramirez who found the back of the net. Ten minutes later RSL Academy gained possession from a stray corner kick and Cayne Madhlangove beat two defenders with pace while taking the ball into Breakers FC’s final third. Madhlangove crossed the ball to Jude Wellings who beat the keeper and netted a goal in the 61st minute. Two minutes later Luca Moisa made a tackle to regain possession and found Owen Anderson in the box who scored a third goal for RSL. RSL Academy continued to play attacking football and in the 80th minute Breakers FC committed an own goal from a deflected cross. Breakers FC scored in the 85th minute from a corner kick, yet it proved futile as RSL claimed a 4-1 victory.  

U-15 RSL 7-1 Breakers FC

The RSL U-15 team started off slow against Breakers FC and had a tough time breaking into the opposition's final third. In the 22nd minute RSL Academy committed a foul at the top of their own penalty box awarding Breakers FC a free kick. Breakers struck the free kick into the woodwork which ricocheted into the back of the goal. RSL quickly responded as Linkon Ream found Armani Haro in the 25th minute who fired a screamer between the posts. The rest of the first half remained uneventful and ended in a draw. 

Three minutes into the second half RSL found their second goal of the match when Cameron Estala scored off a deflected header from a Breakers FC defender. In the 47th minute Rowan Martin beat three defenders on the wing and found the corner of the goal after beating the keeper with a faked shot. The U-15s continued to play excellent football and were awarded a penalty after Haro was fouled from an aggressive tackle. Javier Ruelas was elected to take the penalty and chipped the ball over the keeper in the 55th minute. In the 64th minute Ream assisted Khododad Panahi from a deep cross that connected with the forward for a header. Ream found his third assist of the match when he crossed a low driven ball that connected with Karlos Flores in the 75th minute. Three minutes later on the counter attack Lorenzo Tuch beat his man with skill and fired a shot from 18 yards out which proved to be the final goal of the game resulting in a RSL 7-1 triumph.