RSL Academy Advances to Semifinal Stage, Setting up Date with LA Galaxy
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Wednesday, June 18, 2025) The Real Salt Lake Academy U18 squad advances to the MLS NEXT Semifinal after a dominant 3-0 victory over a vaunted Philadelphia Union squad. The win sets the Claret-and-Cobalt up against rival LA Galaxy on Friday, in a match which will be streamed live on Major League Soccer’s YouTube page.
With both its U16 and U18 teams qualifying for its respective Semifinal stages, Real Salt Lake Academy becomes one of two clubs (Inter Miami FC) with multiple squads in the age group’s final four, with RSL the only club within MLS NEXT’s premier age groups (U16 & U19).
After escaping the Round of 16 by the thinnest of margins, Real Salt Lake’s attack came out of the Quarterfinal gate scorching hot. The Claret-and-Cobalt struck first as Captain Grayson Carter found the net in the 14th minute. Awaiting a shot deflection, Carter chested the ball to his feet, took a touch, and fired to the far post, past an outstretched Union goalkeeper, for his first of the tournament.
Six minutes later, RSL struck again as MF Antonio Riquelme slotted a ball to an onrushing Jack Ottley on the left wing. Ottley beat his defender and fired to the far post, scoring RSL’s second in the opening 20 minutes.
Continuing with momentum, RSL thought it saw a third cross the line in first-half stoppage time, but a controversial line judge call limited its advantage to two at the break.
Attempting to cut into Real Salt Lake’s lead, Philadelphia came out of the half with a high press. RSL remained calm and managed the high-flying attackers with relative ease. RSL goalkeeper Will Mackay was called into action in the 84th minute, stopping a breakaway by deflecting the Union’s near-post shot out for a corner.
As tensions grew late in the match, RSL forward Chase Duke was swept off his feet inside the box by a Philadelphia player, giving the center official no choice but to award Real Salt Lake a penalty and grant the necessary marching orders, issuing the late red card to the Union. The RSL Academy and Real Monarchs’ newest addition, Diego Rocio - formerly of the Philadelphia academy setup - stepped up to the spot to deliver a clinical penalty to the bottom left corner, burying his old club’s hopes of advancing in the process.
What’s Next - The RSL U18s now advance to the Semifinal stage, facing LA Galaxy. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:15 CT / 10:15 MT on Friday. Either RSL vs LA Galaxy or Cedar Stars Academy Bergen vs Orlando City SC will fill the U19 semi final broadcast spot, announcement TBD.
Team Leaders -
Goals: Riquelme: 2 / Carter: 1 / Duke: 1 / Estella: 1 / Miranda: 1 / Ottley: 1 / Rocio: 1
Assists: Carter: 1 / Gio Villa: 1 / Riquelme: 1
Clean Sheets: Mackay: 2
The RSL U16s face off Thursday against Inter Miami FC after a rare day off, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 am Local Time / 10:00 am MT on Thursday, June 19. Real Salt Lake vs Inter Miami will fill the U16 semifinal broadcast slot on the MLS YouTube page.
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.
