The Real Salt Lake U-15 and U-17 Academy teams will be traveling to Boyds, Maryland to participate in the MLS NEXT Flex Tournament taking place at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
The tournament presents a fantastic opportunity for both the U-15s and U-17s to qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs as teams who win their groups in the MLS NEXT Flex Tournament automatically qualify for the playoffs.
At the 2022 MLS NEXT Cup playoffs, the RSL Academy will be looking to defend its 2021 U15 MLS NEXT Cup title lifted last summer by this year's U17s group led by Head Coach Andrew May. They defeated the top-ranked and heavy favorites, Philadelphia Union 2-0 in the final behind goals from RSL Homegrown Jude Wellings and forward Evan Pickering.
The U15’s are in Group A and will face Springfield SYC Soccer, FC Dallas and Strikers FC, while the U17s are in Group D and will play LA Surf Soccer Club, Sporting Kansas City and St. Louis City SC.
“We are excited about both of our teams going to the MLS NEXT Flex event because of the opportunity for us to continue to see our kids develop and compete,” said RSL Director of Talent Identification Jon Spencer.
“This week is really exciting because we're going to be competing to punch our ticket into the MLS NEXT playoffs. We look forward to both our teams having a successful weekend.”
The U-15’s kick off the tournament against Springfield SYC Soccer at 3:00 p.m. on May 14th while the U-17’s start against LA Surf Soccer Club at 5:00 p.m. MT the same day.
The rest of the MLS Next Flex Schedule for the U-15s can be found here.
And the rest of the MLS Next Flex Schedule for the U-17s can be found here.
The U-15’s team will be highlighted by Zavier Gozo and Luis Rivera. Both players were recently called up to the U.S. U-15 Youth National Team and Rivera was named in the GA Cup Best XI.
Meanwhile the U-17’s team will be highlighted by RSL Homegrowns Jude Wellings and Axel Kei. Wellings was named MLS NEXT Fest Player of the Tournament back in December and was recently called into the U.S. U-17 Youth National Team. Additionally, Real Monarchs forward Terron Williams will travel with the team, he is joined by Blake Kelly, Ethan Zamora, Gabriel Oksanen, Marcus Vasquez, Gershon Henry, Alex Lopez, Abokye Bikyeombe and Izzy Amparo, all of whom have earned playing time with the Monarchs this season.
The full U-15 roster:
- Ty Rinker
- Will Mckay
- Carlos Castrejon
- Luca Moisa
- Axel Uriostegui
- Zavier Gozo
- Jack McCalister
- Dominic Berrios
- Alan Galardo
- Armani Haro
- Jahmani Stapleton
- Jacob Miranda
- Luis Rivera
- Adriel Diaz
- Kevin Hernandez
- Bryan Ramirez
- Josue Reyes
- Tony Ramirez
- Dylan Garcia
- Gilberto Garcia
- Max Lora
The full U-17 roster:
- Blake Kelly
- Carter Burrup
- Ethan Zamora
- Gabriel Oksanen
- Marcus Vasquez
- Chris Grote
- Aldo Carmona
- David Navarro
- Gershon Henry
- Angel Morales
- Matthew Hagan
- Joon Han
- Alex Lopez
- David Noguera
- Abokye Bikyeombe
- Jude Wellings
- Izzy Amparo
- Axel Kei
- Terron Williams
- Jaden Jackson
Supporters can keep up with the U-15 and U-17’s progress in the tournament on the RSL Academy Twitter Account and the RSL Website.
