Real Monarchs Sign Three RSL Academy Standouts to Professional Contracts

January 4, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Real Monarchs News Release

HERRIMAN, Utah – Real Monarchs today announced the signings of three RSL Academy standouts to MLS NEXT Pro contracts for the upcoming 2024 campaign, as 17-year-old attacking MF Izzy Amparo joins a pair of 15-year-olds – right wing FW Omar Marquez and fellow U.S./Mexico dual national DF Juan Gio Villa – moving up the Club pyramid.

Izahi “Izzy” Amparo, 17, joins Real Monarchs from the RSL Academy, where he appeared in U17 matches during the 2022-23 season. The dual-national U.S. / Mexico midfielder is a homegrown talent for the club, first appearing for RSL AZ’s U12/U13 teams before being invited to join the Real Salt Lake Academy at the beginning of the 2020/21 season. In Amparo’s first year with the club, the U15s won the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup, where Amparo recorded an assist 15 minutes into the final match.

“It is with great pride that the Real Monarchs welcome Izzy as a professional,” said Tony Beltran, RSL’s Assistant General Manager. “Since arriving on our campus, Izzy has shown a professional maturity well beyond his years. His work ethic, character and devotion to his craft remain an inspiration to both staff and players. Congratulations to Izzy and the Amparo family on this step forward. We look forward to the time ahead and his continued development with our Club.”

A native of Yuma, Ariz., Amparo made his pro debut in 2022, appearing for the Monarchs during a MLS NEXT Pro regular season match. In the last two seasons, Amparo has appeared in 10 matches for the squad, five of them being starts.

Omar Marquez, 15, joined the Real Salt Lake Academy in July, 2022, from Sacramento Republic FC as a free transfer. In his first season with the Club, Marquez played for the U15s, with the right-footed winger scoring three goals in nine appearances last season, adding one goal in two caps for the United States Youth National Team. Marquez has earned a starting role on RSL Academy’s U17 squad for the 2023-24 season.

“All at RSL share pride in congratulating Omar and his family on signing as a professional,” says Beltran. “Omar’s on-field conviction to compete is clear and contagious. Combined with his character and work ethic, Omar possesses key attributes to meet the challenges ahead of him. We look forward to continuing to support Omar along his developmental path.”

Born in Sacramento, Calif., Marquez has been a part of the United States Youth National Team setup, most recently…