Gozo’s journey comes full circle as Real Salt Lake’s next generation takes the MLS NEXT All-Star stage

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three years ago, Zavier Gozo was one of the teenagers soaking in the experience of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, with sailboats gliding past just a stone’s throw beyond the touchline, hoping it would open another door.

A few weeks ago, Real Salt Lake tasked him with calling academy standouts Easton Wilson and Kellen Poll to tell them they’d been selected for this year’s MLS NEXT All-Star Game.

Monday night, he watched from the stands in a tree-lined soccer complex just outside Charlotte as they followed in his footsteps, joined by a surprise addition to the Real Salt Lake family.

On the ground in Charlotte on Sunday afternoon, whispers began circulating that highly regarded Southern California prospect Daniel Carmona of Total Futbol Academy would be joining the Real Salt Lake Academy this fall. KSL Sports was able to independently confirm the move, though the club has not yet made an official announcement.

Carmona joined Wilson and Poll on the West roster for the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, giving Real Salt Lake three representatives in the showcase.

Gozo’s journey comes full circle

For Gozo, it was another reminder of how quickly his career has progressed.

“Life moves so fast,” Gozo told KSL Sports after training with his fellow MLS All-Stars Monday morning. “Three years ago I was the one looking up to Diego Luna and Justin Glad. Now I’m in this position where younger players are looking up to me.”

The 19-year-old urged all three players to enjoy the moment rather than treating it as something bigger than it needed to be.

“Have fun,” Gozo said. “Don’t make it bigger than it is. It’s another game of soccer.”

His advice came in handy Monday night.

The East raced to a 5-0 halftime lead before eventually defeating the West 6-1.

While the scoreline was lopsided, each of Real Salt Lake’s representatives left a strong impression.

Carmona started on the right wing and was one of the West’s most dangerous attacking outlets during the opening half. He repeatedly drove at defenders and produced two of the West’s few shots on target before halftime, narrowly missing with a driven effort just before the break.

Poll entered after halftime at right wingback and immediately changed the rhythm of the match. His ability to shield the ball and drive forward repeatedly caused problems for the East. The Lehi native escaped pressure, drew a yellow card after carrying through multiple defenders, produced two outstanding defensive plays inside his own penalty area and nearly created a goal with a dangerous overlapping cross.

Wilson also entered after halftime and helped spark a much-improved West performance. He forced a diving save before finally breaking through in the 82nd minute, racing behind the East defense and finishing confidently inside the near post for the West’s lone goal.

“It was a surreal experience,” Wilson said. “Being down by such a large margin, it’s hard to come in and try to change the game.

“The conversation at halftime was, ‘How can we get back into this game? How can we bring the spark of energy that’s needed?’ We didn’t want to separate the first half and second half. We’re all one family. But how are we going to win our half?”

Wilson’s goal was a fitting reward after an encouraging performance.

“I’ve got to play to the end of the whistle,” he said. “I’m glad I got the goal to show my abilities.”

Goal aside, Wilson’s first touch, ability to play with his back to goal and bring teammates into the attack, and composure in possession all stood out during his 45 minutes on the field. 

“I like to think I’m a versatile player,” Wilson said. “I see myself in many different positions. Wingback, striker, winger. People talk about me being fast and strong, but I look at myself as a playmaker too.”

Poll also came away encouraged despite the result.

“The result was disappointing,” Poll said. “But I thought the performance I had individually was pretty good.”

The Utah native said sharing the week with Gozo made the experience even more meaningful.

“It’s kind of inspiring,” Poll said. “I’m also from Utah, and I also go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s really good to see someone in my position be able to go this far.”

Daniel Carmona joins the pipeline

Carmona said his decision to join Real Salt Lake was heavily influenced by the team’s history of developing young players.

“I did the research on the club,” Carmona said. “I really liked the opportunities they give young players with the Monarchs, the second team and the first team.

“Gozo played up there at a super young age. I look at him as an example, and I hope I can follow in his footsteps one day.”

Carmona said Real Salt Lake first identified him during the Generation Adidas Cup qualifiers in Arizona before inviting him to train with the academy after he finished as the playoffs’ MVP and leading scorer.

The RSL academy difference

The conversations kept circling back to the same theme.

What separates Real Salt Lake, they said, isn’t just identifying talented players. It’s producing coachable ones.

“RSL does a good job of making players coachable,” Gozo said when asked about the strong performances of the academy teams.

Wilson agreed.

“It really does make a player coachable,” he said. “Being able to adapt and be flexible within the system.”

Poll pointed to the balance the academy strikes between developing individuals and building a team.

“You get a lot of players who want to do their own thing on the field and feel like they’re the best player there,” Poll said. “I feel like RSL really makes team players while also making them better individually. It helps you understand the game more and learn from the coaches.”

Three years after taking the field in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game himself, Gozo spent Monday night cheering on the next wave of Real Salt Lake prospects.

On Tuesday night, the roles reverse once again.

As Gozo takes the field in the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, Wilson, Poll and Carmona will be the ones watching from the stands, seeing firsthand just where the Real Salt Lake pathway can lead.

How to watch

What: MLS All-Star Skills Challenge
When: Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. MT
Where: Truist Field, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV