In its first and only home stand during the first half of the MLS NEXT regular season, the Real Salt Lake Academy captured nine out of a possible 12 points with three wins and a loss.
The RSL U-15s extended its win streak to four wins, while also finishing the month of October unbeaten through six matches. Meanwhile the U-17s earned its third win of the year.
Led by Head Coach Jordan Allen, the team started the weekend with an emphatic 4-0 win over Ballistic United. Forward Armani Haro netted his team-leading fourth goal in the 18th minute, assisted by midfielder Lorenzo Tuch. Then, eight minutes later Antonio Riquelme doubled the lead, landing on the end of a cross from Linkon Ream. Defender Garret Windle netted his third goal in as many games, heading in a cross from Khododad Panahi off the corner in the 29th minute. And finally, Ream netted one of his own in the 40th minute to move the lead to 4-0. The defense and goalkeepers Will Mackay (first half) and Rocco von Marees (second half) were able to keep Ballistic at bay, earning the team’s third clean sheet of the season.
The next day the U-15s kept the victories rolling, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 thanks to a wonder goal from Gio Aguirre in the 11th minute and a header from Isaac Murphy in the 62nd, assisted by Panahi. The team is now 6-1-1, earning 19 out of a possible 24 points, while maintaining its position atop the MLS NEXT West Division.
The RSL U-17s also earned a victory over Ballistic United, a 2-1 result thanks to a 12th minute goal from Zavier Gozo, assisted by Angel Morales, and a 47th minute tap-in from Gershon Henry. However, the team dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps after a controversial call saw the team from Canada take a quick throw-in, leading to the game-winning goal. Gozo netted his ninth goal of the season against the Whitecaps, already more than half of his 2021-22 regular season total of 16 goals.
The Real Salt Lake Academy will have a bye week this upcoming weekend before heading to Northern California for a double header against Sacramento Republic and San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12, respectively.
