Real Salt Lake Stars Called to International Duty Ahead of MLS Decision Day

During the current FIFA break, three key players from Real Salt Lake - Dominik Marczuk, Gavin Beavers, and Zavier Gozo have been called up to represent their respective youth national teams. These call-ups highlight RSL's commitment to developing young talent, as the trio heads off to international matches before returning for the club’s crucial "Decision Day" clash against Vancouver on October 19, 2024.

Dominik Marczuk (Poland U-21)

Poland's U-21 side will welcome newcomer Dominik Marczuk from recently signed Real Salt Lake for qualification matches of UEFA U-21 Euro. He plays two prominent games: the away match to Kosovo on October 11 and the home game against Germany on October 15. Since Marczuk moved to RSL in the transfer window at the beginning of August, he has been impressive, playing all seven games eligible to play in MLS since his debut, scoring in all the last five games.

The player scored once while chipping in handsomely for RSL in attack by providing one assist. In a very short time, Marczuk became a crucial player and therefore was named the 2023-24 Polish Ekstraklasa Young Player of the Season with Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Gavin Beavers (USA U-20)

RSL goalkeeper Gavin Beavers, 19, will join the USA U-20 camp for two games at Chile on Oct. 12 and Oct. 15 in Santiago It is Beavers' first appearance with the USA U-20s in 2017 and follows a standout season in MLS. The young goalkeeper has been instrumental in RSL's success, starting 13 games in various MLS, Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup matches. Beavers Rocking His Goal Beavers has been a foundation in goal with 6 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw and three clean sheets. He is a product of the club's successful academy.

Zavier Gozo (USA U-19)

RSL academy standout Zavier Gozo will head to Valencia, Spain, as part of the USA U-19 side and play two friendlies versus Sweden on Oct. 11 and Japan on Oct. 15. Gozo has been in a rich vein of form recently with the Real Monarchs in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring in three-straight games while narrowly missing out on postseason qualification. Selection in the U-23 side is a good indicator of his attributes, and he was named in the U-19 squad.

Approaching "Decision Day" and the Postseason Picture

While these players are on international duty, Real Salt Lake gears up for their last regular season’s fixture against the Vancouver Whitecaps on October 19. Winning on “Decision Day” would mean gaining higher playoff placement, and will also go down in club history as the first to collect more than 59 points, breaking the previous record of 57 set in 2012. It is a do-or-die match because winning it also means qualifying for the 2025 edition of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the first time for RSL to battle in continental tournaments since 2016.

Performance of RSL in the 2024 Season

When it comes to good expectations, RSL has had an extraordinary season as it has already qualified for the playoffs for the 14th time in 17 seasons. Arango, RSL’s captain, has led a much feared attacking brigade that has set the record for the best attacking unit in the club’s 20-year history; they have scored 63 goals in 33 matches, smashing their previous record of 57 goals that was set in 2013. However, Arango has not been the only star, he himself has netted 17 goals and assisted 12 others during the campaign which has helped RSL.

The international call-ups of both Beavers and Gozo reflect Real Salt Lake’s winning together through development philosophy. The two, and a host of others including justen glad and Andrew Brody, have gone through the RSL Academy and to the MLS. This structure located in Herriman, Utah, is still producing players who not only play for the club but also make it on the international scene.