Real Salt Lake's Axel Kei Becomes Youngest Signing in MLS History at 14 Years Old
Jan 15, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JUNE 12: Real Salt Lake's mascot Leonardo The Lion waves a flag in front of a Jet Blue plane branded with the Real Salt Lake Logo and name at the Salt Lake International Airport June 12, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Real is the first American major soccer team to have a plane branded with it's name a logo. (Photo by George Frey/MLS via Getty Images)
Real Salt Lake signed 14-year-old Axel Kei to a first-team contract on Friday, making him the youngest signing in MLS history.
“Over the last year Axel has proven to be one of the top attacking prospects in the country," RSL general manager Elliot Fall said in a release. "His propensity in front of goal is well beyond his years, and coupled with his elite athleticism, he projects to become a goal-scoring force in our league in the years to come."
Kei starred for Real Salt Lake's U15 team, scoring five goals in five games during the MLS Next Cup last year to take home the tournament's Golden Boot. He has since played for the club's U17 side, tallying six goals in six games.
Last year, he debuted with the MLS Next Pro team Real Monarchs at just 13 years old, which made him the youngest professional athlete to feature for an American sports team.
13 years, nine months, nine days.
Real Salt Lake Academy player Axel Kei appeared for the @RealMonarchs last night, becoming the youngest athlete to feature for a professional American sports team 🌟
Kei moved to California in 2017 and spent three years playing for the LA Galaxy's San Diego Youth Soccer Club before joining Real Salt Lake. He was born in the Ivory Coast and was raised in Brazil.
Heat Legend Dwyane Wade Joins Real Salt Lake's Ownership Group
Jan 6, 2022
NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Salt Lake City. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Wade joined Utah leaders to announce the completion of a local advocacy group's campaign to build eight new homes for LGBTQ youth in the U.S. West. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
NBA legend Dwyane Wade announced Thursday that he will be part of the new ownership group for Real Salt Lake:
Wade purchased a stake in the Utah Jazz last April, four months after the NBA approved the sale of the team to Ryan Smith.
Smith, as well as Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils co-owner David Blitzer, have reportedly agreed to buy RSL for nearly $400 million, per Alex Vejar of the Salt Lake Tribune.
Ryan Sweeney, who owns a minority stake in the Jazz, is also on board for the RSL purchase. Sweeney and Wade are part of the Smith-led Smith Entertainment Group.
Report: J.J. Watt Interested in Buying MLS' Real Salt Lake, NWSL's Utah Royals
Sep 4, 2020
Houston Texans Defensive End J.J. Watt appears at a Super Bowl event promoting the Verizon Virtual Reality Game Winner Experience on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in San Francisco. Watt said he’s knows concussions are part of the risk of playing football. (AP Photo/John Carucci)
Houston Texans star J.J. Watt could become the next active NFL player to purchase a professional sports team.
The defensive end is reportedly interested in buying Utah Soccer Holdings, which operates MLS' Real Salt Lake, USL's Real Monarchs and the Utah Royals FC of the NWSL, according to Sports Business Journal'sMark J. Burns.
The entity was put on the market following multiple reports of racism and misconduct by owner Dell Loy Hansen and senior executive Andy Carroll.
Watt's interest in soccer is understandably personal. His wife, Kealia Ohai, plays for the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars and Watt told Business Insider's Barnaby Lane he's been hooked on the game since a trip to see Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge in 2012.
SBJ reports Utah Soccer Holdings is also receiving interest from both local businessman Ryan Smith and the Miller family, which owns the Utah Jazz.
Earlier this summer, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes became a minority owner of the Kansas City Royals, citing his love for baseball and his childhood watching his father pitch in Major League Baseball.
Dell Loy Hansen to Sell Real Salt Lake After MLS Probe into Racist Remarks
Aug 30, 2020
FILE - Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen presents his vision for a new minor league soccer stadium on Sept. 10, 2014, in Salt Lake City. Hansen has come under criticism for comments he made on a radio show after RSL players decided not to take the field for a match to protest racial injustice. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
MLS announced Sunday that Dell Loy Hansen will sell Real Salt Lake as well as other parts of Utah Soccer Holdings that include Utah Royals FC in the NWSL and the Real Monarchs in the USL.
The decision comes after Hansen responded negatively to players sitting out Wednesday's game in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Further, The Athletic published a report Thursday detailing allegations Hansen has made racist comments in the past.
The owner told Salt Lake City radio station X96 that the players' strike was "like somebody stabbed you and you’re trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward," via The Athletic.
"The disrespect is profound to me personally," he added.
The team announced Friday Hansen would be taking a leave of absence amid an investigation by MLS.
The Athletic also reported a history of racism from Hansen, with former Real Salt Lake employee Andy Williams alleging the owner was a "f--king racist" who used the N-word.
Toronto FC and USMNT striker Jozy Altidore and Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell both called for Hansen to sell the team, with Altidore noting his interesting in buying the squad:
It appears there is now an opportunity for the group to buy the MLS club from Hansen, who purchaseda majority stake in Real Salt Lake in 2013.
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen on Leave After Probe into Racist Remarks
Aug 29, 2020
FILE - Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen presents his vision for a new minor league soccer stadium on Sept. 10, 2014, in Salt Lake City. Hansen has come under criticism for comments he made on a radio show after RSL players decided not to take the field for a match to protest racial injustice. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Utah Soccer announced Friday that Dell Loy Hansen, the owner of MLS' Real Salt Lake, NWSL's Utah Royals and USL's Real Monarchs, will be taking a leave of absence from the clubs while being investigated for the alleged use of racist language.
"As MLS and NWSL commence their investigations, Utah Soccer will ensure full cooperation, including seeking to answer any questions the leagues may have about the statements made by Mr. Hansen regarding athlete boycotts and allegations in a resulting article. As an organization, our priority is our employees, our teams, our players, and our fans, and Mr. Hansen in particular cares deeply for each of these individuals who works so hard to make Utah Soccer the success that it is.
"During the pendency of these investigations, and until further notice, Mr. Hansen will be taking a leave of absence from all RSL, URFC, and Monarchs operations. The existing Soccer Executive Group at Utah Soccer will assume all management of the organization."
During an appearance on Salt Lake City radio Station X96 on Thursday (h/t The Athletic), Hansen said he was opposed to the players' protests against racial injustice that led to RSL's match Wednesday against Los Angeles FC being postponed. He said it was like "somebody stabbed you and you're trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward."
Former RSL employee Andy Williams detailed a 2016 incident when speaking to The Athletic, in which Hansen allegedly asked "when are we gonna lynch this guy?" in reference to then-FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta, a Black member of the United States men's national team. Acosta currently plays for the Colorado Rapids.
Williams, who played for the club before joining the front office as a scout following his 2011 retirement, told The Athletic the reported comments didn't come as a surprise.
"That's just how he is," Williams said. "He's a f--king racist, to be honest. I've been in situations where it's like (former Los Angeles Clippers owner) Donald Sterling. He says something, and it's like, 'Oh my God, what did he just say?' It's Donald Sterling part two. It's just unbelievable. It's crazy how he doesn't see that the stuff that he says affects people."
Williams also alleged he heard Hansen use the N-word during his tenure with the organization.
Real Salt Lake is scheduled to resume the 2020 season Saturday night when they visit Providence Park to take on the Portland Timbers.
MLS to Investigate RSL Owner Dell Loy Hansen After Allegations of Racism
Aug 27, 2020
In this photo taken on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen presents his vision for a new minor league soccer stadium at the Utah State Fairpark meeting with its board, in Salt Lake City. Hansen, the owner of Utah’s Major League Soccer team is offering to build a $13-$17 million stadium at the state fairgrounds that would be home to a minor league team for Real Salt Lake and be part of a broader revitalization of the grounds. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Major League Soccer will reportedly investigate Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen following a story from Christopher Kamrani, Sam Stejskal, Paul Tenorio and Meg Linehan of The Athletic that detailed Hansen's history of racism.
The Major League Soccer Players Association released a statement saying, "The allegations in tonight's Athletic story concerning RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen are sickening. The MLSPA calls upon MLS to immediately suspend Hansen and conduct a thorough investigation. If the allegations are substantiated, he must be forced to sell the team."
The Athletic story shared MLS' statement that read, "We are deeply concerned about the allegations made in a report published this evening concerning language used by and the conduct of Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen. Major League Soccer has zero tolerance for this type of language or conduct and will immediately commence an investigation."
Hansen also owns the USL's Real Monarchs and NWSL's Utah Royals, and the NWSL released a statement saying it will also investigate and calling the allegations "shocking."
The Athletic story noted Hansen did not speak with RSL players as they decided to sit out Wednesday's game against LAFC as part of the league's protest against police brutality and systemic racism following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
However, he appeared on Salt Lake City radio station X96 and said the players not taking the field was "like somebody stabbed you and you're trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward. … The disrespect is profound to me personally."
He also said the players sitting out "took the wind out of" his sails in terms of a desire to invest more money in the team in the future.
The comments drew plenty of criticism, including some from Toronto FC and U.S. men's national team forward Jozy Altidore and Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell:
The Athletic story also detailed a number of times Hansen was allegedly racist.
Andy Williams, who joined RSL in 2005 as a player and was a scout from 2011 until he was furloughed in April, chronicled times when Hansen used the N-word. He also compared Hansen to former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was ousted from the NBA for his own racism.
"That's just how he is," Williams, who is Black, said. "He's a f---ing racist, to be honest. I've been in situations where it's like (former LA Clippers owner) Donald Sterling. He says something, and it's like, 'Oh my God, what did he just say?' It's Donald Sterling part two. It's just unbelievable. It's crazy how he doesn't see that the stuff that he says affects people."
Williams described one particular incident when he and other members of the team's front office traveled to Dallas in 2016. They came across Kellyn Acosta, a Black FC Dallas player who had scored a goal against RSL, and Williams noted Hansen said the following:
"Waibel said, 'Hey, Dell Loy, this is Kellyn Acosta, one of the guys who scored against us last night.' Kellyn said hello, and the first comment that Dell Loy made was something like, 'Hey Craig, when are we gonna lynch this guy?' Kellyn was right there, he said this right in front of him. I just turned around and walked away, and left the conversation … I just walked away. I couldn't even deal with it."
Acosta's agent at the time, Daren Flitcroft, confirmed the story.
Elsewhere, Aaron Maund, who is Black and a former RSL defender, recalled an incident when he was injured and put his hood up when he was in an elevator with fans as to not be recognized before Hansen came aboard and was racist:
"I scooted onto the elevator, my family is with me and it was a public elevator, a lot of the fans were piling in so I threw my hood on to be a little bit incognito. So I'm kind of standing in the back and Dell Loy came onto the elevator, so I took my hood off and said hello. And he looked back at me and said, 'Oh my God, I thought you were a thug.' And my whole family just whipped their heads around and looked at him, and I just kind of gave them the eyes like, 'He doesn't even know.' It's not even worth having that kind of conversation, because those kinds of things I had seen, those kinds of microaggressions, I had seen 1,000 times from him."
The Athletic story noted Hansen apologized during a second interview on ESPN 700.
It also pointed out the MLS constitution allows the league to remove an owner "on its own initiative if, by a two-thirds majority vote of the board, an operator/investor is determined to have failed to act in the best interests of the league. If so, it must still pay such operator/investor fair market value for its operating rights and ownership interest."
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen: I Felt 'Disrespected' by MLS Player Strike
Aug 27, 2020
The Real Salt Lake scoreboard is shown after the scheduled game between Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles FC was postponed Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in Sandy, Utah. Major League Soccer players boycotted five games Wednesday night in a collective statement against racial injustice. The players' action came after all three NBA playoff games were called off in a protest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin on Sunday night. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Toronto FC star Jozy Altidore and Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell called upon Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen to sell the team after he criticized the decision of players to protest Wednesday night's MLS games.
MLS postponed five matches on Wednesday once it became clear players would decline to take the field following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday.
During an interview on X96 in Salt Lake City, Hansen was critical of the protests.
"It's a moment of sadness," he said (via Matt Montgomery of RSL Soapbox). "It's like somebody stabbed you and you're trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward. That's what it feels like. The disrespect is profound to me personally."
Hansen then implied the protests would impact the extent to which he'd invest in the club: "It's taken a lot of wind out of my sails, what effort I want to put into recruiting players and building a great team. It just seems that's not a very good path to take."
RSL legend Nick Rimando quickly condemned the comments:
Hansen owned a minority stake in the club before purchasing a controlling stake in Real Salt Lake in January 2013. He also owns Utah Royals FC of the National Women's Soccer League.
Relentless Real Salt Lake Surging Up MLS Western Conference Table
Aug 12, 2016
Jul 16, 2016; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar gets his team pumped prior to their game against the New England Revolution at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Real Salt Lake manager Jeff Cassar admits he uses the word "relentless" a lot when he speaks with his team.
Although the results have only started to show the relentless nature of the club, the Claret and Cobalt have stuck to their aggressive mindset for the entire Major League Soccer regular season.
Cassar uses the term because of how many different players in the RSL starting lineup can hurt opponents on a weekly basis.
“I use the word relentless a lot when speaking with the team, and you can only be relentless when you have depth and when you can start one way and bring players on to keep exactly what we’re trying to do at the beginning of the game and doing it at the end," Cassar told Bleacher Report.
That approach has been apparent over the last three matches as RSL beat Philadelphia on the road and produced a fine performance against Chicago at home in Week 22. Between those two victories, the club lost to Toronto FC at BMO Field in a midweek match, but despite the defeat, Cassar believes his side played well.
“I think for the most part of this year, we’ve been playing very good soccer," Cassar said. "We had some very good performances. We paid the price for some errors earlier in the year, but the Philadelphia win was really able to give us belief in what we’re doing and really spur us on."
Jul 22, 2016; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar gets his team pumped prior to their game against the San Jose Earthquakes at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
"If you rewatch the Toronto game, we had another good performance and on another night, we get three points there," Cassar added. "To be able to regroup with a two-day rest and to be able to put in a good performance against Chicago at home, the group is feeling really good about where we’re at and what we’re doing and how we’re operating and it’s a good feeling to have."
The reason for the uptick in form is the resurgence of the club's attack led by Joao Plata, Olmes Garcia and 36-year-old midfielder Javier Morales.
During their rut that started on June 25, the Claret and Cobalt scored just three goals while playing to four draws and two losses. The breakout win in Philadelphia featured fabulous strikes from Plata and Morales as well as Garcia's best performance of the season.
"I think the teams in our league have to respect our ability in the attack," Cassar said. "When you talk about Yura Movsisyan, Olmes (Garcia), Joao (Plata), Juan Martinez, Javier (Morales), Jordan Allen and then young talents like Omar Holness.
"And then on top of that, how we’re bringing in our outside backs, Tony Beltran and Demar Phillips, into the attack, and then adding a midfielder into attack. I think they have to respect what we’re capable of, and what I really like with this group is if teams try to take one thing away from us, then we’re going to beat you a different way and we have the talent to do that."
Along with Morales, fellow veteran Nick Rimando, 37, has brought the necessary leadership to the squad as they not only surge up the table, but try to erase the memories of a poor 2015 season in which they finished ninth in the Western Conference with 41 points.
Aug 6, 2016; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales (11) congratulates goalkeeper Nick Rimando (18) following their 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire at Rio Tinto Stadium. Rimando became the career leader in all-time wins for an MLS goal
RSL already have 37 points through 24 matches in 2016. Cassar attributes the turnaround to a challenge he received from the front office and himself after the tumultuous 2015.
“It definitely motivated myself, the staff and our team," he said. "Obviously there had to be a lot of looking in the mirror to start and obviously that starts with me. It needed to be where I could improve and help the team more where I could be a better communicator, better leader, better tactician with our group, with our staff.
"Our general manager, president and owner challenged myself and the staff a lot and I think that was very helpful to myself and the staff getting better in areas we needed to, which then in turn helps the players more.
"I think this year everyone is more familiar, more confident in the formation and with their responsibilities in the formation. On top of that, let’s be fair, we’ve added some very, very good players to our team. And we’ve managed to stay healthy, which is essential in MLS."
RSL added Movsisyan in the offseason and Martinez during the 2015 summer window. One of the biggest additions to the squad has come in defense as academy product Justen Glad, 19, has thrived at center-back alongside Aaron Maund. Glad is playing himself onto the United States men's national team radar.
“I think he’s improving each and every day," Cassar said. "I’m never one to say what his ceiling is. That is completely up to Justen, but in every situation and every team he’s played for, he’s come through.
Jul 9, 2016; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad (15) passes the ball during the first half against the Montreal Impact at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
"Whether it’s when he was with our academy team when they were winning national championships or when he’d come up for reserve games years ago. He always stepped up to the challenge and now that he’s with the first team and the under-20 national team, and every time he gets opportunities, he performs at an extremely high level."
The next challenge ahead for RSL comes on Sunday as they make a rare appearance in the national spotlight against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field. Although more eyes will be on the club than usual, RSL are just focusing on bettering themselves game by game.
“To be fair, we really just try to go about our business and do it in the way Real Salt Lake does," Cassar said. "We want to come out and be aggressive whether we’re home or away. We want to stick hard to our game plan and belief in how we want to play against teams. We want to do that whether we’re home or away.
"I think you can look back on this year and I think we have the second most away wins in the entire league and we’re undefeated at home right now. We have an aggressive mindset in our style of play and we believe we can go anywhere and get the result we want."
That aggressive mindset will be key for RSL heading into the closing stages of the regular season as the Western Conference presents a new challenge every week.
“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves," Cassar said. "We have to make sure we’re concentrating on ourselves. How we can improve each week and also focusing on the opponent ahead of us.
"If we start watching the tables too much, then our focus isn't where it should be. We need to just concentrate on ourselves and the rest will take care of itself."
Joe Tansey covers MLS for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.
All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Why Real Salt Lake Should Be the Favorites to Win MLS Cup
Aug 19, 2014
Aug 16, 2014; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake players react to a goal by forward Joao Plata (8) during the second half against the Seattle Sounders FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into the 2014 MLS season, Real Salt Lake appointed a new head coach in Jeff Cassar to replace the highly successful Jason Kreis. Given Kreis’ accomplishments at Rio Tinto Stadium, a lot of fans were nervous about the upcoming campaign under new leadership.
However, RSL has quietly surged to the top of the Western Conference following its 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday afternoon. Salt Lake has 42 points after 24 games, with a one-point lead over the Sounders.
Seattle has two games in hand on RSL, but don’t be surprised if the Claret and Cobalt are the No. 1 seed in the West by the end of the season.
Cassar has had an impressive debut campaign with RSL, and the key has been creating a close-knit squad. No key players departed from the club in the winter, and that’s due in large part to general manager Garth Lagerwey, who’s arguably the best in MLS.
Real Salt Lake has made the playoffs every year since 2008, which is a fantastic record given that it is relative newcomers to MLS and play in a smaller market.
Aug 9, 2014; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar talks to the 4th official about a foul during the first half against the D.C. United at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
RSL is underrated every season mainly because the team isn’t the strongest on paper, yet it comfortably qualifies for the playoffs every year.
That will most likely happen again. The team is well organized and has great chemistry no matter who is on the pitch. Joao Plata, Salt Lake’s top scorer with 11 goals in 18 appearances, has been the main catalyst.
However, RSL have other consistent players to help carry the load. Javier Morales has six goals, as does Alvaro Saborio, who suffered a foot injury that will keep him out of action until at least September.
The midfield is also strong with Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy, Luis Gil and Luke Mulholland. The back line of Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, Chris Wingert and Tony Beltran has been rock solid for most of the season, conceding just 28 goals.
Aug 16, 2014; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata (8) reacts to scoring a goal during the second half against the Seattle Sounders FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, there is keeper Nick Rimando, the all-time leader in clean sheets in MLS. The U.S. international is widely considered to be the best goalkeeper in the league. Rimando completes RSL’s very strong spine, which every successful team possesses.
Experience is also a factor in RSL’s winning formula. The squad was one penalty away from claiming its second MLS Cup last year, and it will be out for revenge this time around. Home-field advantage would certainly help its cause, as seven of RSL’s 11 wins have come at home. Only Seattle and FC Dallas have more with eight.
Real Salt Lake’s recent run of form has been impressive. It is undefeated in six straight games, but that has gone unnoticed amid Seattle’s spending spree over the last 12 months, the LA Galaxy’s resurgence and Sporting Kansas City’s equally strong season.
RSL is a team that can sit deep and counter or keep possession and expose opponents through its passing. The rotation system that Cassar uses still guarantees results, which is uncommon in MLS play.
Real Salt Lake should never be taken lightly, especially at this stage of the season. Watch out for them down the stretch and in the postseason, as the team will surely have a major impact on the final outcome of the 2014 campaign.
