SALT LAKE CITY — A harrowing $100 million lawsuit has been filed against Real Salt Lake (RSL) and major American soccer institutions, alleging systemic physical, emotional, and sexual abuse targeting former homegrown goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup while he was still a minor.
Dewsnup, now 22, made history in 2021 when he signed a professional contract with RSL at just 16 years old, making him the youngest-ever player in the franchise’s history. However, the explosive legal complaint paints a dark picture of his time with the club, describing an environment where adult teammates and coaching staff allegedly subjected the teenager to relentless hazing and harassment.
Allegations of Locker Room Terror
According to the legal filings, the organizations failed to implement any age-appropriate safeguards or specialized protections for Dewsnup despite his status as a minor. He was routinely required to use the same locker room facilities as adult players, a space where he alleges he was subjected to aggressive sexualized conduct, explicit comments, and adult exposure.
The lawsuit explicitly alleges a culture of locker room bullying, detailing instances where adult teammates ridiculed the minor’s anatomy and brandished their genitalia. In one specific incident detailed in the complaint, Dewsnup claims he was struck from behind with soccer balls while completely nude by senior players Aaron Herrera, Tate Schmitt, and Justin Glad.
The psychological toll reportedly left Dewsnup deeply traumatized. He began taking prescribed anti-anxiety medications and would intentionally wait up to two hours after practices to shower alone just to avoid contact with the adult roster.
Institutional Failure and Management Backlash
The legal action extends beyond his teammates, naming coaching and management figures. RSL goalkeeper coach Ignacio Hernandez is accused of aggressive verbal abuse and severe medical negligence, allegedly forcing the teenager to train and play through physical injuries. Furthermore, the suit names former RSL player David Ochoa, claiming he verbally bullied and threatened the 16-year-old in front of the squad.
Despite Dewsnup’s parents repeatedly escalating these issues to RSL’s coaching staff and general manager, the lawsuit asserts that management failed to intervene, offering no avenues for reporting child abuse or safeguarding the teenage athlete.
A Devastating Toll and $100 Million Claim
The escalating abuse allegedly culminated in a severe mental health crisis. The complaint reveals that Dewsnup attempted suicide in April 2022, resulting in emergency medical hospitalization. Shortly thereafter, at age 18, he walked away from professional soccer entirely, citing a need to focus on his mental recovery.
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The $100 million damages claim seeks comprehensive restitution for the destruction of a promising career:
- $20 Million: Allocated for immediate and ongoing psychiatric care, therapy, emergency room treatments, and medical care.
- $80 Million: Requested to cover past and future lost wages, calculated from projected professional soccer contracts and lucrative corporate endorsements cut short by his early retirement.
The lawsuit names Real Salt Lake, Major League Soccer (MLS), and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), aiming to hold the entire hierarchy of American soccer accountable for institutional failure regarding minor athlete safety. None of the governing bodies or named individuals have issued a formal response to the active litigation.
