RSL Academy Begins its Title Defense Against BW Gottschee

The Real Salt Lake Academy is set to begin its MLS NEXT Cup title defense on Saturday, June 25 at 7:00 a.m MT at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas as the U-15 team takes on New York-based club BW Gottschee Academy. Streaming for this match can be found on Youtube or Twitch via the MLS NEXT page. 

Under the direction of Head Coach Andrew May, the RSL U-15s head into the playoffs with a 15-5-5 regular-season record including a two-game win streak to finish MLS NEXT play, including victories over Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the 2022 Generation Adidas Cup champions Portland Timbers. Additionally, RSL has been dominant across all tournament play this season with a 12-0-1 record across all competitions, only drawing with Spanish club Valencia CF in the Quarterfinals of GA Cup. 

The U-15 side will be led on the pitch by United States Youth National Team players Luis Rivera and Zavier Gozo. Rivera burst onto the scene this season as a leader in the backline, earning praise from coaches and reporters alike. The defender made history as the youngest player, at the time, to appear in MLS NEXT Pro earlier this season. He was also named to the 2022 Generation Adidas Cup Best XI, the only U-15 defender to earn the honor. Rivera has recently represented the U-15 U.S. Youth National Team in the Torneo delle Nazioni against Belgium and Slovenia where he was accompanied by Gozo. The forward has been a consistent call-up for the Stars-and-Stripes and has led the RSL U-15 team in goals this season with 16, including four in the last several weeks. 

The Claret-and-Cobalt’s first opponent, BW Gottschee Academy, enters MLS NEXT Cup with a 12-3-3 record across all competitions, however they have yet to beat an MLS academy this season. Despite not defeating an MLS side this year, BW Gottschee’s history includes alumni who play across the globe, including United States Men’s National Team forward Timothy Weah. 

In the single-elimination style tournament, the winner of the match will move onto the round of 16 where they will face either Philadelphia Union or New York Soccer Club on Sunday, June 26. 

Additionally coverage can be on RSL.com and all of the RSL Academy social channels.