RSL Academy Advances to Semifinal Stage,
Setting up Date with Inter Miami
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Tuesday, June 17, 2025) The Real Salt Lake Academy U16 squad advances to the MLS NEXT Semifinal after a dramatic 4-3 win over Orlando City SC.
In what seems to be a common trend throughout the tournament for both Claret-and-Cobalt Academy sides, an early concession steeled the RSL resolve, as Orlando City scored first with an 11th- minute goal. Setting the tone for the majority of the first half, Orlando stagnated RSL’s attack, creating only a few half chances throughout the first 45. Around the 40th minute, Real Salt Lake attacker Rowan Martin tested Orlando’s keeper for the first time in the match, forcing a diving save to hold the advantage.
Feeding off of the momentum, RSL’s motor started to turn. Defender Royce Mihov slipped a ball to Van Parker who attacked the goal, finishing to the near post and flying by photographers with a soaring backflip. RSL’s headed corner attempt in first half stoppage met the crossbar square, keeping the match level into the break.
Orlando came out of the whistle on the front foot again, forcing a diving save from elite RSL ‘keeper Konstantinos Kyriazis in the 58th minute. Five minutes later, Orlando broke the deadlock, regaining the advantage after tapping in the rebound of a Kyriazis push save.
With its season on the line, RSL responded. Earning a corner kick, a beautiful ball was sent into the mix hitting the turf. Defender Kevin Sroga emerged from the scrum scoring his first of the competition from the mouth of the goal, his shot taking a deflection off both an Orlando defender and goalkeeper.
Receiving the ball near midfield, Parker lowered his head and drove down the pitch sending a cross across the area that met a sliding Andreo Gajek. The second-half substitute Gajek, in a last-ditch effort, got a touch on the cross arriving on a platter at the far post. Gajek’s touch sent the ball across the entirety of the goal and across the line. The goal marked Gajek’s first of the tournament and Parker’s second assist, his seventh total contribution.
Parker added another goal in the 90th minute after picking the ball off a defender, driving upfield and scoring, in a self-made sequence, bringing his contribution total to eight (six goals, two assists) through three matches, cushioning RSL’s lead. Down two, Orlando fought to keep its season alive, scoring in stoppage time to deliver drama in the final minutes, ultimately falling short.
What’s Next - RSL U16s now advance to the Semifinals, facing off against Inter Miami after a rare day off. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 am Local Time / 10:00 am MT on Thursday, June 19. Real Salt Lake vs Inter Miami or FC Dallas vs Atlanta United will fill the U16 semifinal broadcast slot on MLS’s Youtube page, announcement TBD.
Team Leaders -
Goals: Parker: 6 / Gajek: 1 / Hashimoto: 1 / Magsino: 1 / Martin: 1 / Peralta: 1 / Sroga: 1 / Wilson: 1
Assists: Theurer: 3 / Mihov: 2 / Parker: 2 / Silva: 1
RSL U18s take on Philadelphia Union tomorrow, Wednesday, June 18, with kickoff scheduled for 11:25 am Local Time / 10:25 am MT.
Real Salt Lake Academy is the official MLS NEXT affiliate of MLS side Real Salt Lake. Leading Major League Soccer in homegrown signees, RSL welcomed four homegrown signees earlier this year, welcoming Omar Marquez, Aiden Hezarkhani, Owen Anderson and Gio Villa to its 2025 class. The quartet of RSL Academy products boosts the number of homegrown signings to 45, after all four inked their deals with the Claret-and-Cobalt.
