RSL Southern Arizona, FC Tucson Women square off in new WPSL rivalry matchup

Real Salt Lake Southern Arizona begins play as part of the Women’s Premier Soccer League this week against crosstown rival FC Tucson Women.

RSL Southern Arizona (0-1) plays its first home match Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Tucson High against FC Tucson (1-0).

RSL Southern Arizona is known as one of the dominant youth soccer clubs in Tucson that is affiliated with the MLS club Real Salt Lake.

The FC Tucson Women were originally called TSA FC before becoming FCTW in 2015. Tucson Soccer Academy and Tanque Verde Soccer Club merged to form FC Tucson Youth so now the RSL Southern Arizona/FC Tucson Youth rivalry has moved on to the Women’s Premier Soccer League.

Fort Lowell Soccer Club, Tucson Mountain, Tucson Aztecs, Sabino Vista and portions of Tanque Verde Soccer Club are part of RSL Southern Arizona.

Jason Flores, a coach with RSL since 2005, will lead RSL Southern Arizona’s WPSL side.

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FC Tucson Women opened the season with a 4-0 win at the El Paso Surf on Saturday. RSL Southern Arizona forfeited their May 18 match at El Paso. Ashly Martinez, Ellie Robinson, Leigha Dobbins and Kristal Navarro scored for FC Tucson.

Martinez and Dobbins play for Arizona Western College, Robinson for the University of New Mexico after graduating from Pusch Ridge Christian and Navarro played for Tucson High this past season.

RSL Southern Arizona and FC Tucson compete in the Desert Conference with El Paso and three teams from Phoenix, including Royals AZ, who are also affiliated with Real Salt Lake as their parent, the Utah Royals, is owned by Smith Entertainment Group, who also owns RSL, the Utah Jazz and Utah HC (the former Arizona Coyotes).