INCHEON, Korea (Thursday, November, 6, 2025)- Real Salt Lake Academy’s U18 squad closed out the K-League International Youth Cup last Thursday with a 3-1-1 record, finishing second in its group of six teams, and third out of all 12 teams in the tournament. Real Salt Lake stood as the only team from the U.S., competing against clubs from Spain, Belgium, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea.
“The club is really grateful for the opportunity to travel here and experience a different culture on and off pitch,” stated U18 Head Coach Phil Cousins. “A big message we gave to our players is to be present at this tournament and face different types of playing styles in a new environment and make sure that our philosophy and principles come out.”
Having never faced its opponents prior to the tournament, as all participating teams were international, RSL Academy had limited details about its opponents and their play styles. The team’s focus coming into the tournament was adaptability and being able to make decisions without a detailed game plan. “When you’re in your own country, you see the same stuff and are able to scout teams in advance,” stated Cousins. “Without having film and the footage of these teams in advance, we had to learn how to adapt in the moment.”
RSL came into the tournament as one of the youngest teams, with most of the squad being younger than 17. The tournament pushed these players into unfamiliar roles, testing their adaptability and growth. “I am proud of the way that we are growing together,” said midfielder Axel Uriostegui, the 17 year old from Nevada. “The 15s and 16s are stepping up, they came in and knew they had a big role to take on.”
In addition to the on-field experience, the U18s experienced a new culture while competing across the world. On their off day, the team went into Seoul and visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The boys tried on traditional Korean robes, ate traditional Korean food and learned more about the culture. “It's nice getting to know a new culture, see a beautiful place, and eat good food,” said 16-year-old Utah native Linkon Ream. “It is important to have cultural experiences to know best practices in other places around the world.”
The tournament featured two groups, Group A and Group B, each consisting of 6 teams, the group stage consisted of an intergroup round robin as each club faced all five remaining clubs that comprised its group. The team with the most points from Group A and Group B would advance to the final on the last day of the tournament. Real Salt Lake’s schedule consisted of five games over a six day span, with one off day between games three and four. Due to the abundance of matches in a short time period, matches consisted of 35 minute halves instead of a typical 45.
INDIVIDUAL GAME RECAPS:
RSL vs RCD Espanyol (2-2): The U18s first game of the tournament came against reigning 2024 K-League International Youth Cup champions RCD Espanyol from Spain. It was a physical battle from the start, an even 0-0 until the 16th minute when Matteo Zambrano took his defender one on one and placed the ball in the back of the net.
The game remained 1-0 for the rest of the half and into the second half. Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Kyriazis made 8 saves throughout the game, and was on track for a clean sheet until Espanyol found the net in the 68th minute and again in the 70th. Down late, RSL did not give up, and in the 71st minute, Easton Wilson scored a goal off his chest, assisted by Ream. With an action packed final 5 minutes of the game, RSL exited the match with a stolen point.
RSL vs Gwangju FC (1-2): The second game of the tournament came against Gwangju FC, a member of the K League 1, Korea’s professional soccer league. It was another physical battle as Gwangju FC came out aggressive and physical forcing Real Salt Lake to adapt quickly.
RSL started out strong with shots on goal early from Rylan Hashimoto, Zambrano and Ream, despite its efforts, Gwangju FC was able to get past the defense and score in the 11th minute, and again in the 51st minute. RSL bounced right back, knowing the next goal was crucial, and in the 56th minute, Ream earned his second assist of the tournament, crossing it from the left side to Chris Rios in the middle who put the Claret-and-Cobalt on the scoreboard.
The U18s continued to fight for an equalizer but did not prevail, RSL finished with 17 shots on goal compared to Gwangju FC’s seven. Gwangju FC would go unbeaten in group play and compete in the final.
RSL vs Suwon Samsung Bluewings (1-0): Game three was another physical battle vs Suwon Samsung, another K League 1 team. For the first half, both sides fought trying to open the score. At the 35 minute mark, RSL got fouled just out of the box, allowing for an opportunity before halftime. Zambrano took the free kick, and after a few attempts in the box, Hunter Peralta found the net giving the American side a 1-0 advantage at the half.
Throughout the second half, both teams continued to fight as the Claret-and-Cobalt rode out the 1-0 advantage to victory. Making his tournament debut, 14 year old goalkeeper Boston Bawden stepped up earning the first clean sweep of the tournament for RSL with 12 saves. Peralta’s goal ended up sealing the result for RSL.
RSL vs Oita Trinata (4-1): Game four featured a matchup against a Japanese side, Oita Trinita. The match started out even, until Uriostegui fired one past the keeper in the 15th minute making it 1-0. Uriostegui had more to offer, and in the 21st minute assisted a goal to Peralta doubling Real Salt Lake’s advantage. Without wasting any more time, RSL captain Camron Estala passed it up to Zambrano from the defensive end, giving Zambrano the opportunity to beat his defenders and drill one in the back of the net.
RSL’s momentum was briefly interrupted in the 28th minute when Oita Trinita netted a goal from outside the 18. However, RSL kept pressing forward and started the second half off with an impressive two touch finish from Zambrano rattling off the crossbar, assisted by Rios. RSL finished out strong to get the 4-1 win, keeping their tournament standings high.
RSL vs Incheon Nam High School (3-1): RSL U18s closed out group play with a matchup against Nam High, a local Korean high school team. The first half opened in a tight, scoreless battle as RSL fired a couple shots on goal waiting to capitalize. Real Salt Lake took the lead in the 22nd minute when Javier Martinez capitalized off a smooth back-door give-and-go with Hashimoto. Two minutes later, Hashimoto delivered a long pass to Anders Theurer. Theurer’s attempt was blocked by a defender, but the loose ball found Shaun Morgan, who found the back of the net giving RSL the early 2-0 lead.
Even with strong defensive efforts from Estala and Theurer, Nam High snuck one past Kyriazis in the 30th minute. Despite holding the 2-1 advantage, RSL was focused on getting at least one more goal to improve its goal differential and give the Claret-and-Cobalt a higher rank in the final standings. In the 39th minute, Rowan Martin set up Theurer as Theurer converted to close out the match with a 3–1 win in favor of RSL.
RSL U-18 scores- K-League Youth Tournament
10/24 vs RCD Espanyol (2-2): Matteo Zambrano (Rylan Hashimoto), Easton Wilson (Linkon Ream)
10/25 vs Gwangju FC (1-2): Christopher Rios (Linkon Ream)
10/26 vs Suwon Samsung Bluewings (1-0): Hunter Peralta (unassisted)
10/28 vs Oita Trinita (4-1): Axel Uriostegui (unassisted), Hunter Peralta (Axel Uriostegui), Matteo Zambrano (Camron Estala), Matteo Zambrano (Christopher Rios)
10/29 vs Incheon Nam Highschool (3-1): Javier Martinez (Rylan Hashimoto), Shaun Morgan (unassisted), Anders Theruer (Rowan Martin)
Group A final Standings
- Gwangju FC, 15 pts, 5-0-0
- Real Salt Lake, 10 pts, 3-1-1
- RCD Espanyol, 8 pts, 2-2-1
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings, 5 pts, 1-2-2
- Incheon Nam Highschool, 2 pts, 0-2-3
- Oita Trinita, 1 pt, 0-1-4
U18 Leaders
Goals: Matteo Zambrano: 3 / Hunter Peralta: 2 / Six tied: 1
Assists: Rylan Hashimoto: 2 / Linkon Ream: 2 / Four tied: 1
Clean Sheets: Boston Bawden: 1
RSL now jumps directly into MLS NEXT competition hosting Seattle Sounders FC and Tusla Greenwood SC in a double header weekend in the Wasatch Front. Real Salt Lake Academy is the official MLS NEXT affiliate of MLS side Real Salt Lake. Leading Major League Soccer in homegrown signees, earlier this year RSL welcomed Omar Marquez, Aiden Hezarkhani, Owen Anderson and Gio Villa to its 2025 class. The quartet of RSL Academy products brings to 45 the number of homegrown signings, after each inked their deals with the Claret-and-Cobalt earlier this year.
