MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Sunday, June 15, 2025) - Both Real Salt Lake Academy squads advance to the Round of 16 after winning its respective matches, as the weekend saw RSL U16 defeat Bethesda SC 3-1 Saturday night, with the U18 side defeating Michigan Jaguars 3-0 late Sunday. Both teams will play its Round of 16 matches on Monday, June 16..
RSL U16 - Real Salt Lake’s U16 squad started its quest for the Cup Saturday against Bethesda SC in the Round of 32. Originally scheduled for a 8:15 pm local kickoff, a severe lightning storm in the area pushed kickoff back two full hours.
The weather delay could not stop the U16 attack, however, as Real Salt Lake entered the scorebook first, scoring in the 27th minute. Building up the pitch, Anders Theurer found himself on the ball on the right wing of the attacking third. Sending in a ball across the box, FW Van Parker levitated above Bethesda defenders to meet the cross and firmly head the ball into the net for the Claret-and-Cobalt’s first of the match.
Bethesda SC came out of the second half strong with a clear-cut chance inside RSL’s area. Receiving a through ball in the middle of the box, square to the goal, 2025 Generations Adidas Cup “Golden Glove” winner Konstantinos Kyriazis took a step towards the opposing striker to making the crucial save to start the half.
Regaining control on the match shortly after the save, Theurer distributed another ball across the box, this time a low, firm roller. Anticipating the ball, 2025 GA Cup MVP Rylan Hashimoto tapped in easily to secure his first of the tournament and doubling the RSL advantage in the 69th minute.
With ten minutes left to play, Parker received the ball after defender Linkon Ream broke up a Bethesda counter attack, while sparking one for Real Salt Lake. On the left wing, Parker opted to attack the defense, passing his defender and closing in on the goal with a low angle, tucking his shot inside the near post to beat the defender for his second of the competition.
Just two minutes before the end of the match, Bethesda scored its first and only goal, spoiling Kyriazis’ clean sheet.
What’s Next - RSL U16s advance to the Round of 16 taking on Charlotte FC, a 2025 GA Cup semifinals rematch won by Real Salt Lake, 2-0. Kickoff is slated for Monday morning, June 16, at 7:00 am MT / 8:00 am CT (Local Time).
RSL U18 - Real Salt Lake came out of the gate on the front foot, owning the majority of the possession throughout the first half. RSL’s best chance in the opening 0-0 stanza came two minutes before the break, a shot ripped from the right wing that hit the bottom of the cross bar, never crossing the line.
Five minutes into the second half RSL earned a clear-cut chance, awarded a penalty kick after a Michigan handball in the area. Captain Grayson Carter stepped up to the spot, firing a shot to the right side, meeting the post square before bouncing back into the mix. FW Antonio Riquelme found the ball at his feet off the rebound but placed his shot wide-right.
Another penalty was awarded to the Claret-and-Cobalt in the 60th minute, this time with Riquelme opting to take the kick. Standing over the ball, Riquelme delivered a cool panenka down the middle, misleading the opposing keeper, who dove left.
The concession brought life to Michigan, which scored one of its own just three minutes later. Despite crossing the line, the goal was waved off after the officiating crew ruled that a foul occurred in the buildup.
Michigan commit Camron Estella and UCLA commit Dylan Cantafio each tacked on a goal of their own in the final ten minutes of play, securing the RSL spot in the Round of 16.
What’s Next - Real Salt Lake face Real Colorado just 21 hours after concluding its Round of 32 victory. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. MT / 6:30 local time on Monday, June 16.
Real Salt Lake Academy is the official MLS NEXT affiliate of MLS side Real Salt Lake. Leading Major League Soccer in homegrown signees, RSL welcomed four homegrown signees earlier this year, welcoming Omar Marquez, Aiden Hezarkhani, Owen Anderson and Gio Villa to its 2025 class. The quartet of RSL Academy products boosts the number of homegrown signings to 45, after all four inked their deals with the Claret-and-Cobalt.
