The Real Salt Lake Academy U-15 Club kicked off their title defense at the 2022 MLS NEXT Cup with a commanding 3-1 victory over the historic BW Gottschee Academy from New York, advancing to the Round of 16 against Philadelphia Union on Sunday, June 26 at 4:00 p.m. MT.
Forward Zavier Gozo netted a brace and Axel Uriostegui got his first goal of the tournament to give the Claret-and-Cobalt the early Saturday morning win in Frisco, Texas.
Head Coach Andrew May had the team pushing forward early in the match, putting up several chances on target, but Gotschee’s defense was able to withstand the waves of pressure. In the 19th minute it appeared as if RSL had finally broken through the stalemate when the team was awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard-box. Midfielder* Luca Moisa serviced in the cross to the head of defender Jahmani Stapelton* who head the pass backwards for Uriostegui to run onto and send a shot into the back of the net. However, the referee determined a player to be offside prior to the goal.
Despite maintaining the offensive pressure, it was BW Gottschee who got on the board first in the 38th minute. Goalkeeper Will Mackay was able to make the diving initial save, but the ball was pushed out directly to the feet of Luciano Larrea who was able to slip it underneath the ‘keeper.
Only minutes later RSL equalized. In stoppage time of the first half captain Luis Rivera stood over a free kick opportunity, his shot deflected off the defensive wall, but Uriostegui was able take advantage of the misdirect and chip the ball over the goalkeeper to level the score at the end of the first half.
Coming out of the halftime break RSL came out pressing the pace, once again putting Gotschee on their back heels. In the 52nd minute Moisa spun around several defenders before hitting a through ball for Kevin Hernandez to run onto. Receiving the pass at the top of the box, Hernandez dribbled around multiple defenders to lay off a short pass to Gozo. The forward was able to cut around his defender and send a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner to take the 2-1 lead.
In the 75th minute Gozo put the final nail in the coffin when he linked up with Moisa to send a left-footed shot soaring past the goalkeeper to ensure the victory.
Real Salt Lake Academy will now move on to the Round of 16 where they will face Philadelphia Union on Sunday, June 26 at 4:00 p.m. MT.
