News Release

PHOENIX [Dec. 6, 2023] – Phoenix Children’s announces its partnership with the Real Salt Lake-AZ (RSL-AZ) youth soccer club today, further strengthening the health system’s commitment to the health and development of young athletes.

Phoenix Children’s will serve as the exclusive sports medicine partner of RSL-AZ, providing athletic training services during all RSL-AZ tournaments and Elite games. Phoenix Children’s will also develop soccer-specific curriculum on meaningful topics such as nutrition, injury prevention and rehabilitation for RSL-AZ youth athletes, their parents and coaches.

“This partnership provides an important opportunity to serve elite young athletes throughout the Valley,” said Randon Hall, MD, MBA, CAQSM orthopedic physician and interim director of sports medicine at Phoenix Children’s. “Our sports medicine teams are specially trained in the care of children and teens, which makes all the difference in understanding how to address both minor and major injuries that occur on the field.”

RSL-AZ is the leading youth soccer club in Arizona and the only youth soccer club in Arizona with a direct pathway to Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League. RSL-AZ offers both competitive and recreational teams to players throughout Arizona.

“Both organizations have similar visions and high standards for service to the community. We are excited that this partnership with Phoenix Children’s will bring the very best athletic and health care to our membership,” said Nicholas Markette, RSL-AZ Director of Business Operations.

Phoenix Children’s will begin providing athletic training services during the 38th annual RSL-AZ Holiday Classic Tournament Dec. 8-10, ensuring the health and performance of young athletes during the competition. 

Players who are injured on the field and require ongoing care may continue their treatment at any of Phoenix Children’s sports medicine clinics. There, clinicians provide diagnoses and treatment of sports injuries including concussions, fractures, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tears in children and teens.

Athletic trainers are part of Phoenix Children’s comprehensive sports medicine program, led by doctors board-certified in both pediatrics and orthopedic sports medicine who work closely with athletes on strategies to prevent reinjury, staying healthy and taking care of their growing bodies.

The sports medicine program is one part of the Herbert J. Louis Center for Pediatric Orthopedics at Phoenix Children’s, which provides treatment for a wide range of orthopedic conditions including broken bones, concussion, scoliosis and more. These services are available at Phoenix Children’s 11 comprehensive orthopedic, sports medicine and sports physical therapy clinics throughout the Valley.