HERRIMAN, Utah (February 1, 2022) – Prior to the second half of the 2021-22 MLS NEXT season, the RSL Academy has added defender Gabriel Oksanen from the Philadelphia Union Academy.
Oksanen joined the Union's academy in August of 2021 from San Diego Surf, where he scored one goal in four games. However, after speaking with Director of Talent Identification Jon Spencer and touring RSL Academy's facilities at Zion's Bank Training Facility he made the decision to make the move to Utah.
At the international level Oksanen has been called into several United States Youth National Team training camps, alongside new RSL Academy teammate Max Lora.
The U15s are currently ranked third in the MLS NEXT West Division for league play and first in the MLS NEXT Northwest Division for Inter League play. The U17s are currently fourth in the MLS NEXT West Division and fifth in the MLS NEXT Northwest Division for Inter League play. Â
The U15s are led by Head Coach Andrew May, while the U17s will enter the year under new leadership with the addition of former RSL Homegrown Player Jordan Allen as the team’s new head coach. Â
Both teams in the RSL Academy will return to MLS NEXT play for the first time in the calendar year on February 19 at San Jose Earthquakes in Livermore, Calif.
