Real Monarchs are in the USL Championship Final on Sunday, squaring off with Louisville City FC from Lynn Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. For Real Salt Lake, the second-division club’s success is more than just a chance to earn a third championship at three different levels following the 2009 MLS Cup title and 2012 USSDA U-17 championship. It also provides further affirmation in the long-term plans to champion youth development throughout the organization.
In 2019, Real Salt Lake led Major League Soccer in minutes played by Academy products for the second consecutive season. The youth movement on the field has translated to success in the standings, with RSL finishing third in the Western Conference in 2019 and advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals for the second straight year.