DANVILLE, Calif. – Trailing for the majority of the match, goals from Luis Lopez and Corey Baird in the final twenty minutes preserved Real Salt Lake U-17/18’s winning streak which is now at a season high of seven matches.
RSL equalzied the match in the 70th-minute on a fortunate defensive blunder by a San Jose Earthquakes defender. Damian German charged down the right-wing and crossed to Baird, who made a run up the middle. The ball bounced between the defender’s legs and popped out to Baird, who then chipped the ‘keeper.
Twelve minutes later, Lopez finished a brilliant free kick from just outside the 18 for his second goal in as many matches.
San Jose pushed for the equalizer in the final minutes by lofting balls over the top. RSL held on and preserved their perfect start to 2014.
Fifteen minutes into the match, San Jose caught RSL’s defense in a bad position. A rebound bounced out of the box and ended up down the wing. A San Jose player whipped in a cross to the backpost where a handful of unmarked Earthquakes players were waiting. RSL goalkeeper Luis Barraza ran out to intercept the cross, but missed it before an San Jose player scored the opening goal.
Things changed for RSL at the start of the second half when Gui Leme and Matthias Binder were brought on. The Claret-and-Cobalt started to connect and touch the ball more, playing their game.
RSL U-17/18 will put their wining streak to the test this upcoming weekend against Seattle Sounders U-17/18 who are currently in second in the Northwest Division. Match kicks off at 11:00 AM at the Grande Sports World.
-Real Salt Lake Academy Match Report-
Match:Real Salt Lake U-17/18 vs. San Jose Earthquakes U-17/18
Date: March 16th, 2014
Competition: USSDA
Venue: Mustang Soccer Complex – Cytomax Field (Turf)
Kickoff: 11:00 AM PT
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| Real Salt Lake-AZ U-17/18 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| San Jose Earthquakes U-17/18 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
San Jose – 15th minute
RSL – Corey Baird (assist: Damian German) – 70th minute
RSL – Luis Lopez – 80th minute
Real Salt Lake: Luis Barraza, Moises Rodriguez, Justen Glad, Dillon Nino, Te Wihongi (Grant Livingston – 84), Luis Lopez, Jose Hernandez, Damian German, Corey Baird, Eric Carbajal (Matthias Binder – 46), Sam Gleadle (Gui Leme – 46)