RSL Academy Fall in Semifinal
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Friday, June 20, 2025) - The Real Salt Lake Academy U18 squad fell 2-1 to two-time defending champs LA Galaxy at Friday’s MLS NEXT tourney semifinal. This marks the end of a great campaign, the roster now sees many return, move forward with Real Monarchs, or matriculate on their collegiate journey.
Moving forward into the final third, LA Galaxy played a dangerous ball inside the center of the box for a clear cut chance in the 10th minute. Stepping off his line, RSL goalkeeper Will Mackay denied the first opportunity, the rebound finding the same LA attacker, who attempted to net his own rebound but once again was denied, this time by Luis Rivera off of the goal line. Ultimately the ball found the feet of a Galaxy winger, who tucked it in at the near post for the game’s opening goal.
The remainder of the first 45 saw a defensive battle as both attacks reached a standstill. Mackay provided the defensive highlights in the first half with another fantastic save diving to his left, denying a surefire goal in the 43rd minute to minimize the deficit.
22 minutes into the second half, an RSL freekick taken by star Antonio Riquelme was fired on goal. Monarchs standout Riqeulme unleashed a rocket over the wall to the near post, finding the upper corner out of the keeper's reach for the equalizer, his second free-kick game-tying goal of the tournament.
The equalizer unleashed a back-and-forth match, with each team fighting for a spot in Sunday's final, a date with Cedar Stars Academy Bergen. Galaxy took the advantage late in the match, earning a corner in the 81st minute. The Claret-and-Cobalt handled the first offering with ease, heading it out but a second Galaxy ball proposed a greater threat. A pass sent inside the six found took a deflection off of a LA forward, with two RSL defenders ignoring a wide-open attacker at the mouth of the goal. Rushing off his line, GK Mackay got an arm on the tap-in attempt, but could not deny a blasted ball from finding the back of the net.
With ten minutes left, RSL scrambled for a lifeline attempting to get forward as often as possible, but did not prevail. LA Galaxy will now face off Cedar Stars Academy Bergen in search of its third consecutive MLS NEXT Cup.
Team Leaders -
Goals: Riquelme: 3 / Cantafio: 1 / Carter: 1 / Duke: 1 / Estella: 1 / Ottley: 1 / Rocio: 1
Assists: Carter: 1 / Gio Villa: 1 / Riquelme: 1
Clean Sheets: Mackay: 2
RSL U16s have advanced to their final, attempting to become the first squad to win Generation adidas and MLS NEXT Cup in the same year on Saturday, facing off against Atlanta United FC. Tomorrow’s kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 am Local Time / 10:30 am MT on Saturday, June 21. All championship games will be streamed 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.
