Real Salt Lake homegrown Zavier Gozo, FW Marcos Zambrano to represent U.S. at FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile
Gozo's long-expected inclusion leaves RSL down its second-leading goal scorer for at least two MLS matches of the stretch run before the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Zavier Gozo has already found ways to shine on the national stage, including the inverted volley he scored Wednesday night against LAFC — his fourth goal of the year that leads all Real Salt Lake teenagers.
Now the 18 year old is ready to take his talents to the international level.
The emerging Salt Lake star and Utah native, along with RSL and Real Monarchs teammate Marcos Zambrano, was among the 21 players named Friday to the United States’ roster for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, to be held in Chile from Sept. 27 through Oct. 19.
Gozo and Zambrano, whose four goals in seven matches with Real Monarchs is tied for the third-most on the playoff-contending club, will each depart after this weekend’s games in Los Angeles — the Monarchs face LAFC 2 in a pivotal Friday night tilt at Titan Stadium in Fullerton (8 p.m. MT, mlsnextpro.com) while RSL plays a unique back-to-back against LAFC that kicks off Sunday at BMO Stadium (7 p.m. MT, FS1).
It’s anticipated that the duo will miss at least two MLS regular-season contests during the World Cup group stage, when the United States will face New Caledonia on Sept. 29 (5 p.m. MT, FS1), France on Oct. 2 (2 p.m. MT, FS2) and South Africa on Oct. 5 (2 p.m. MT, FS2).
For as young as he is, RSL manager Pablo Mastroeni admits “it’s hard to replace” Gozo’s impact. He’s the second-leading goal scorer on the club, behind only RSLL talisman Diego Luna.
“It’s crazy to say, but it’s hard to replace a young Gozo given what he’s been able to do with this group,” Mastroeni said after Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to LAFC. “I think his energy, his quality on the ball, the way he defends, his confidence; those are big shoes to fill for a young guy.
“Hopefully he has a fantastic performance with a great result for the group before he heads off to the championship.”
Gozo and Zambrano are among the 16 MLS players called up to head coach Marko Mitrovic’s roster. The two selections are tied for the second-most among MLS clubs, trailing only San Diego FC’s three.
“This is something I’ve been looking forward to for quite awhile,” said Gozo, the recent high school graduate since May who grew up in West Valley City and Eagle Mountain. “I’m very excited to represent my family, my club and my country.
“Obviously, I want to play my best, help the team however they need, score as many goals as I can,” he added. “We have the players to win the tournament, that’s clearly our goal; we will work hard, put our heads down, and hopefully play our best.”
Zambrano, the Ecuador-born U.S. international arrived in Utah after three years in Portugal and his own youth development with the Philadelphia Union academy to play for RSL and Real Monarchs while his younger brother Mateo spent time at the RSL Academy in Herriman.
The 20-year-old forward scored six goals in 18 matches with the U.S. U-20 and U-19 sides since making his American debut in June 2022, after also spending time in the Ecuador U-17 and U-15 player pools.
“For me, this selection is a dream come true,” Zambrano said. “Since I was a child, my dream was to play in a World Cup.
“One cannot imagine how grateful and proud I am right now! I am very, very excited to have Gozo with me, he is a great player; together, we can win this tournament.”
FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): 12-Adam Beaudry (Colorado Rapids; Castle Pines, Colo.; 7/0), 21-Duran Ferree (San Diego FC; San Diego, Calif.; 1/0), 1-Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona/ESP; Miramar, Fla.; 5/0)
DEFENDERS (7): 2-Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders; Seattle, Wash.; 7/0), 18-Luca Bombino (San Diego FC; Saugus, Calif.; 9/0), 5-Noah Cobb (Colorado Rapids; Chattanooga, Tenn.; 13/0), 16-Ethan Kohler (SC Verl/GER; Campbell, Calif.; 12/1), 3-Nolan Norris (FC Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; 16/0), 17-Francis Westfield (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.; 7/0), 4-Joshua Wynder (Benfica/POR; Louisville, Ky.; 11/1)
MIDFIELDERS (6): 19-Matthew Corcoran (Nashville SC; Dallas, Texas; 5/1), 8-Benjamin Cremaschi (Parma/ITA; Key Biscayne, Fla.; 9/2), 14-Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio; 14/2), 6-Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo; Chicago, Ill.; 15/1), 15-Pedro Soma (San Diego FC; Coconut Creek, Fla.; 15/2), 10-Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes; Saratoga, Calif.; 23/8)
FORWARDS (5): 11-Luke Brennan (Atlanta United; Atlanta, Ga.; 10/2), 7-Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund/GER; Peachtree City, Ga.; 3/0), 20-Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake; Eagle Mountain, Utah; 11/2), 13-Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; Unionville, Conn.; 6/1), 9-Marcos Zambrano (Real Salt Lake; Gladwyne, Pa.; 13/6)