Here are a few key RSL Academy names to follow at the upcoming GA Cup
Here are a few key RSL Academy names to follow at the upcoming GA Cup
Real Salt Lake's U-15s and U-17s head to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for the Generation Adidas Cup, and we've got a short primer for you
Real Salt Lake is bracing for a big weekend on the soccer calendar starting April 1.
No, we’re not talking about a chance to snap a three-match losing streak Saturday at Columbus or Real Monarchs’ Sunday trip to Tacoma — though you can watch both matches on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
But a few levels down, the RSL Academy is sending its Under-15 and Under-17 teams to the Generation Adidas Cup at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where it will compete against some of the top academy teams in Major League Soccer, as well as some of the best youth clubs in the world, competing for a trophy.
A selection of matches will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass, including the U-15s’ opener April 1 against French side Toulouse (8 a.m. MDT) as well as each quarterfinal, semifinal and the championship matches April 19.
Here are a few names to watch from each squad:
Real Salt Lake U-15
With a handful of talented teenagers already signed to MLS NEXT Pro contracts at Real Monarchs, including midfielder Lucas Moisa, forward Axel Uriostegui and goalkeeper William Mackay, the RSL U-15s have the quality and experience to contend for a GA Cup title.
Juan Gio Villa, DF
A transfer from the Chicago Fire academy, Villa was recently named to Mexico’s U-15 national team for a training camp last December, becoming the only MLS club affiliate product on a 20-man youth international roster and one of just two from the United States (Cade Cowell, Sacramento Republic).
Upon arriving at RSL, Villa made an instant impact with a goal and two assists while helping the U-15s to a 10-1-1 start to his Salt Lake career that included a 10-match unbeaten streak.
Linkon Ream, DF
A Utah native who grew up in while playing for RSL-Arizona before moving back to Utah, Ream helped guide to the U-15s to top-five status in the MLS NEXT U-15 Boys West Division. He also has international experience from the academy’s Germany tour last summer.
Omar Marquez, MF
A native of Woodland, California, Marquez has been in Utah for a year since transferring to RSL from the Sacramento Republic academy, where he exploded on the scene with a hat trick against the New York Red Bulls at the 2022 MLS NEXT Cup — while playing up an age group.
A veteran of the Germany tour and other RSL Academy fixtures, Marquez was one of three players named to the United States U-15 youth national team camp last August in San Diego.
Real Salt Lake U-17
The U-17s will be anchored in defense, particularly with explosive homegrown signing Luis Rivera, a versatile defender who can play multiple positions along the back line and is quickly rising up prospect charts. Academy teams from Columbus, Toronto, St. Louis and the LA Galaxy are the pre-tournament favorites to hoist the Cup at this level.
Zavier Gozo, FW
A native of Eagle Mountain who played with Comba and La Roca prior to joining RSL, Gozo exploded on the academy front with 16 goals in his first full season with the U-15 squad.
At just 15 years old, he signed his first pro contract with Real Monarchs last December after breakout performances at last year’s GA Cup and MLS NEXT Cup, and is in his second season with the U-17s while juggling his pro career and watching his older brother Elijah, a sophomore with Kyle Beckerman’s squad at nearby Utah Valley University.
Luis Rivera, DF
A member of the GA Cup Rising XI for 2023, Rivera became the second-youngest RSL signing in club history when he inked the 35th homegrown contract in Salt Lake history in January. The left-footed outside back made four appearances, including three starts, a year ago for Real Monarchs, making his professional debut just three months following his 14th birthday in March 2022.
Blake Kelly, GK
A talented young goalkeeper who has continued to progress despite injuries under Real Monarchs goalkeeper coach Mirza Harambasic, Kelly became the youngest goalkeeper to appear in a match in USL Championship when the then-15 year old from Michigan debuted for the club back in 2021.
He’s also been training with the first team, including Zac MacMath, Tomas Gomez and Gavin Beavers, during preseason and parts of the regular season at the RSL training facility in Herriman.