SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Thursday, May 27, 2026) - Real Salt Lake academy concludes its 2025-26 season exiting the MLS NEXT Cup in the Quarterfinal stage after falling to Columbus Crew 3-1.
Facing off against the Eastern Conference side hours after many members of the squad walked the stage at Zions Bank Stadium to receive their high school diploma the Claret-and-Cobalt got off to a slow start. Columbus capitalized in the third minute off of a turnover in RSL’s own defensive half driving to the endline and squeezing it through at the near post for the only goal of the first half.
Shortly coming out of the break, RSL Academy’s Nico Silva earned a straight red card from the official as a result of extracurriculars away from the ball. Down a man, RSL Academy conceded in the 71st as things turned grim for the home side. Fighting to remain alive, substitute forward Easton Wilson pulled one back for the Claret-and-Cobat in the 80th minute.
Within the next three minutes Columbus tacked on third, almost immediately followed by Chase Duke and Felix Contreras being awarded second yellows leaving the homeside down to eight men with less than five minutes remaining.
Real Salt Lake Academy is the official MLS NEXT affiliate of Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake. Leading MLS in all-time homegrown signees (49), RSL earlier this year welcomed Griffin Dillon, Van Parker, Diego Rocio and Antonio Riquelme to its 2026 class.
