RSL Academy Split Results with LAFC

The Real Salt Lake Academy returned home to the Zions Bank Training Facility after a slew of road trips for a pair of matches against the LAFC Academy. The two teams split results with LAFC with the U15s dropping a 2-0 loss, while the U17s won its return to Herriman 1-0.

The RSL Academy U15's started off the day under heavy pressure from LAFC. Between lockdown defense from the backline and a handful of saves from goalkeeper Ty Rinker, the U15s were able to keep LAFC from finding the back of the net in the first half. Heading into halftime, RSL was able to find some rhythm in the match, but the score remained 0-0.

Out of the halftime break, the U15s were finding a lot of chances offensively. Despite multiple attempts at goal that tested the LAFC goalkeeper from midfielder Luca Moisa and midfielder Dominic Berrios, the U15s were unable to find the back of the net. 

The LAFC Academy found the day's first goal after the U15's flurry of chances off a defensive breakdown that found a deflected shot in the upper 90 past Rinker. LAFC was able to add a second goal to their tally with 15 minutes to play despite the U15s having a large portion of possession and remaining dangerous offensively. 

LAFC's second goal would be the final on the day handing the U15's a 2-0 loss and moving their record to 5-4-2 on the season.

In the second match of the day the U17s were able to find a crucial win in the playoff hunt with their 1-0 win over LAFC.

Early on in the first half The U17s dealt with heavy pressure from LAFC. Goalkeeper Blake Kelly had two big saves in the first half while defender Gershon Henry and defender Gabriel Oksanen had multiple critical clearances to keep the game level heading into halftime. 

Right out of the halftime break, forward Axel Kei caught a breakaway and found the team's first chance at goal that he put just wide into the goal's side netting. This chance started a flurry of opportunities throughout the second half.

Midway through the second half the U17s were able to find a breakthrough. Off a set piece outside the 18-yard box, midfielder Izzy Amparo put a perfect ball into the top of the 6-yard box, where he found the head of midfielder Abokye Bikyeombe for the first goal of the game. 

Despite a few more chances, Abokye's goal would be the game's lone and give the U17s the 1-0 win over LAFC. The U17s now sit with a 3-7-2 record on the season.